J-Speaks: J-Speaks: 2021-22 NBA Offseason Review/Season Preview

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and injuries particularly to key players were the major headliners during the 2020-21 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Some teams were effected early in the season by the pandemic like the boys from D.C., the Alamo City, and “Big D” and the team whose mantra was “We the North,” as they played home games last season in Tampa FL. Injuries affected a lot of team, particularly three of the four team that were in the 2020 Conference Finals. We had some teams that surprised last season like the boys from the “Big Apple,” the “Valley of the Sun” and the “Deer District,” who after disappointing finishes in the spring of 2019 and 2020 were hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy for the first time in half a century. After an offseason that saw big time free agent signings. The hiring of seven new head coaches, six of whom were African American; and some big-time trades that have many teams thinking that this could be there time to win a title, the diamond season [75^th] for the NBA promised to be a good one. Here is the 2021-22 J-Speaks NBA Offseason Review/Season Preview.

Abbreviation Key-statistics from the 2020-21 season: w/-with; ppg-points per game; rpg- rebounds per game; spg-steals per game; bpg-block shots per game; FG%-field goal percentage; 3-Pt.%-three-point percentage; FT%-free throw percentage; opp.-opponents, and T-tied.

Eastern Conference

Atlanta Hawks: 41-31 record (5^th Southeast Division; No. 4 Seed In East) 25-11 at home; 16-20 on the road. Defeated the No. 4 Seeded New York Knicks in East Quarterfinals 4-1; Defeated the No. 1 Seeded Philadelphia 76ers in East Semifinals 4-3; Lost to No. 3 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks in Eastern Conference Finals 4-2.

-113.7 ppg-13^th; opp. ppg: 110.7-8^th; 45.6 rpg-5^th

With the expectation of making their first playoff appearance since 2017, the Atlanta Hawks because of injuries and inexperience got off to a very slow start in 2020-21. After a coaching change, getting healthy and their top two players playing to their potential, the Hawks finished the regular season strong and went on a magical carpet ride in the 2021 Playoffs, but fell just two wins shy of their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 1958. With three of their five starters under contract until summer 2025; their coach no longer under interim tag; re-signing a couple of veterans, the challenge for the Hawks is to play at the level that they displayed in the 2021 Playoffs.

The Hawks began 2020-21 14-20, which included 6-12 mark the next 18 games. While injuries to key offseason additions of Danilo Gallinari, and Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Kris Dunn, which totaled $148 million when they signed played a key role in the Hawks slow start, they start tandem of Trae Young and John Collins did not play to the level necessary to be a good team.

On Mar. 1, the Hawks fired then head coach Lloyd Pierce and replaced him assistant coach Nate McMillan on an interim basis.

Under McMillan, the Hawks closed 2020-21 27-11, which included a 19-2 mark their last 21 games at State Farm Arena, winning their final 11 games of the regular season. Their 18-7 mark since Apr. 1 was tied with the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns for the best in the NBA.

They clinched their first playoff berth since 2016-17 season with come from behind 120-116 win versus the Washington Wizards on May 12, where they came back from a 13-point deficit early in the fourth quarter.

Under Coach Pierce, the Hawks were 0-6 in games decided by four points or less and blew 11 fourth quarter leads. Under Coach McMillan, the Hawks went 8-1 in games decided by six points or less and blew only three fourth quarter leads.

Hawks In Fourth Quarter By Head Coach 2020-21

Lloyd Piece                 Nate McMillan (Since Mar.1)
      -65          Pt. Diff.    +114: Led NBA since Mar. 1
      43%          FG%              47%
      35%         3-Pt.%            41%

Young (25.3 ppg, 9.3 apg-2^nd NBA, 34.3 3-Pt.%) and Collins (17.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 55.6 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.%-career-high) played to the level that got the Hawks on track to close the season.

Young registered 22 games with 30 points or more (tied for 7^th NBA with Devin Booker of Phoenix Suns, which included four games scoring 40 points or more, tied for No. 5 in NBA. He also registered 28 double-doubles for second straight season (had 30 double-doubles in his rookie season of 2018-19), with 194 total assists in the regular season to Collins, ranked No. 5 in NBA for 2020-21.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, who missed 12 games in the early part of the season with a knee injury and 28 games in total in 2020-21 averaged career-highs of 16.4 on 47.3 percent from the field and 43.8 from three-point range, and 90.9 percent from the foul line, registered 21 games scoring 20 points or more. Had 22 games making 4 three-pointers or more, including seven games making six more threes, including two games with seven made triples.

Gallinari (13.3 ppg, 40.6 3-Pt.), who was brought in for his veteran leadership and perimeter shooting, missed 21 games because of injury also. When he got healthy he put that shooting stroke, which he became known for during his NBA career on full display with 38 points on 13/16 shooting, including 10 for 12 from three-point range, with 10 threes made setting a new single-game franchise record.

Clint Capela, who was acquired from Houston Rockets at the trade deadline two seasons back finally healthy provided rebounded, set screens, and became a serious lob threat in 2020-21 averaging 15.2 points, 14.3 boards (Led NBA), 2.0 block shots (4^th NBA) on 59.4 percent from the floor (10^th NBA). Capela in 2020-21 registered a career-best 48 double-doubles, tied for No. 4 in the NBA in 2020-21.

Capela had six games with 20 or more boards, which included a career-high 26 rebounds with a season-high 27 points and five blocks on 10 for 18 shooting in the Hawks 123-115 overtime win versus the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 20. It was one of three games that Capela had at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in 2020-21, and he joined Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon (twice), Patrick Ewing, and former Hawk Dikembe Mutombo to have a game with 25 points, 25 rebounds, and five block shots in the last 35 seasons.

Another player who had a solid season for the Hawks with his ability to strike a match from the perimeter was Kevin Huerter (11.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 36.3 3-Pt.%).

Before going down with knee injury that shelved him for 49 games in 2020-21, De’Andre Hunter (15.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 48.4 FG%) was solid on both ends of the floor. They also missed swingman Cam Reddish (11.2 ppg) for 46 games, including the final 42 games of the regular season (right Achilles’ soreness).

Rookie big man Onyeka Okongwu (4.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 64.4 FG%), No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, was also slowed by injury in his rookie season in 2020-21 missing 22 games in total.

At the March 25 trade deadline, the Hawks added some veteran leadership down the stretch by acquiring Lou Williams (11.3 ppg, 39.9 3-Pt.% w Clippers & Hawks), who averaged 10.0 points on 44.4 percent from three-point range in 26 games with Hawks.

The Hawks in their first playoff appearance since 2017, entered as serious underdogs against the No. 5 Seeded New York Knicks, who were making their first playoff appearance since 2013.

It was the Hawks though that struck the first blow in the series winning Game 1 on the Knicks home court 107-105. Young (32 points, 10 assists, seven boards on 11 for 23 shooting), scored 13 points in the fourth quarter including hitting the eventual game-winning floater with 00.9 seconds left in regulation.

30-Point And 10-Assist Games By A Player at Madison Square Garden in NBA Playoff History

1970: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) for Bucks
1970: Walt “Clyde” Frazier for Knicks
1972: Acrhie Clark for the then Washington Bullets (now Wizards)
1989: Michael Jordan for the Chicago Bulls
2021: Trae Young for the Hawks

The Hawks were in position to go up 2-0 in Game 2 but were outscored by the Knicks 13-1 to close the game and went back to Atlanta tied 1-1. Young scored 20 of his 30 points in the second half, going 11/20 shooting, including 4/7 from three-point range.

The Hawks would get back on track in Games 3 and 4 at home, winning Game 3 105-94 behind a 22-5 run to close the first half and putting the game away by outscoring the Knicks 29-13 in the second quarter and led by as many as 18 points.

The Hawks, who were outrebounded by 13 (54-41) in Game 2, were only a -3 on the glass (45-42) in Game 3.

Hawks in Game 3 tied a single-game franchise playoff record with 16 threes, going 16 for 27 from distance. Young led the way with 21 points and 14 assists.

Most Points In First Three Career Playoff Games In Hawks Franchise History (St. Louis and Atlanta
Trae Young: 83 total points in 2021
Bob Pettit: 80 total points in 1956
Lou Hudson: 79 total points in 1967
John Drew: 67 total points in 1978 and 1979
Joe Caldwell: 65 total points in 1966.

In Game 4, the Hawks outscored the Knicks 88-70 the final three quarters, including 35-22 in third period and led by as many as 26 points, going 13 for 27 from three-point range the final three quarters, after going 2 for 12 from three-point range in the opening stanza.

Hawks were outscored by a total of 83-65 in third quarter the first three games of the series on 25/61 from the floor, including 6/21 from three-point range. In Game 3, the Hawks went 10/19 from the field in third period, including 5/9 from three-point range.

The Hawks closed the Knicks on their home floor in Game 5 103-89 led by Young, who scored 18 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter going 13 for 15 from the foul line and Capela had 14 points and 15 rebounds.

Young went 5 for 8 from the field in the final period, including making the game sealing triple from the top of the key. It was a part of the Hawks 6 for 14 shooting from three-point range in the fourth quarter.

Young joined Hall of Famer Michael Jordan as the only two players with three straight 30-point games at Madison Square Garden in the playoffs.

The Hawks carried their moment from the First-Round into the East Semis and won at the 76ers 128-124 in Game 1, setting a new single-game franchise playoff record with 20 made threes going 20 for 47.

Hawks scored 74 first half points, a new franchise playoff record for a half, with Young scoring 25 of his 35 points in the opening half. Young added 10 assists on 11 for 23 shooting, including for made threes and 9 for 9 from the foul line.

They lost Game 2 (118-102) behind 18 turnovers that led to 28 76ers points, and while they overcame an 18-point deficit to lead 80-79, but were outscored 39-22 the rest of the way, including 27-18 in the fourth quarte

Then lost Game 3 (127-111) back home versus 76ers, getting outscored 66-55 in second half, including 34-19 in the third quarter going 6 for 22 from the floor, including 1 for 6 from three-point range in the period, which snapped their 13-game home wining streak dating back to the regular season.

Hawks tied the series 2-2 winning Game 4 (103-100) behind 25 points and 18 assists from Young. Bogdanovic registered 22 points making four threes and got a double-double from Collins (14 points, 12 boards) and Capela (12 points, 13 rebounds).

Hawks overcame an 18-point first half deficit, closing Game 4 on 9-2 run that consisted of a floater by Young that put the Hawks up 99-98 with 1:17 left in regulation and hit the two free throws that put the Hawks up 103-100.

Youngest With 20-Point, 15-Assist Game In NBA Postseason History
Trae Young (ATL): 2021 at 22 years, 268 days
Chris Paul (PHX): 2008 at 22 years, 352 days and 22 years, 359 days w/then New Orleans Hornets
Isiah Thomas: 1984 22 years, 361 days w/Pistons

The Hawks overcame a 26-point deficit outscoring 76ers 40-19 in the fourth quarter to win Game 5 109-106 to go up in the series 3-2. Young had 13 of his playoff career-high 39 points in the fourth quarter with seven assists and three steals going 10 for 23 from the field and 17 for 19 from the foul line. Collins had 19 points and 11 rebounds going 3 for 4 from three-point range. Williams scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, as the Hawks bench outscored the 76ers reserves 39-15. Hawks went 22/28 at the foul line.

They lost Game 6 104-99 versus 76ers, who outscored them 82-70 the final three quarters losing a 12-point lead in the second half as they shot just 7/20 from the field in the fourth quarter of Game 6 and 6/12 from the foul line.

The Hawks got over things quickly as they won Game 7 at 76ers (103-96) to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2015, thanks to Huerter, who had a playoff career-high 27 points with seven boards on 10 for 18 shooting.

Young, who had just 11 points on 2/16 shooting, including 1 for 8 from three-point range the first three quarters, had 10 points on 3 for 7 shooting in the fourth quarter.

The Hawks, who won their first road Game 7 in franchise playoff history (now 1-9) by outscoring the 76ers 23-12 after trailing 84-80 midway through the fourth quarter to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for just the second time in the last five decades. They reached the East Finals in 2015, where they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0.

The Hawks kept the momentum going taking Game 1 of the Conference Finals at the Bucks (116-113) scoring a new playoff career-high 48 points from Young with 11 assists, seven rebounds on 17 for 34 from the field, including four threes and 10 for 12 from the foul line. They also got a double-double from Collins (23 points, 15 rebounds) and Capela (12 points, 19 rebounds).

The Bucks brought the Hawks back down to Earth winning Game 2 125-91 at Bucks, as they committed 20 turnovers, with nine miscues coming from Young. The only silver lining in Game 2 was that Reddish played for the first time since Feb. 21 (right Achilles’ soreness).

They lost Game 3 (113-102) at Hawks as they from a 15-point lead in the first quarter and were up 95-88 with 7:15 left in the fourth quarter but were outscored 25-7 from that point on. Young had 35 points on 12/23 from the field, including 6/14 from three-point range.

The Hawks tied the series 2-2 with a 110-88 win in Game 4, lost Young who injured his right ankle in the fourth quarter after stepping on the foot of referee Sean Wright. Young was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right foot.

Without Young, Williams led the way with 21 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, while Bogdanovic registered 20 points, five assists, four steals on 6/14 from three-point range.

Williams and Reddish, who had 12 points led a bench attack that outscored the Bucks reserves 35-24 in Game 4

Without Young for Game 5 at the Bucks, the Hawks hung around in behind a playoff career-high 28 points on 10 for 22 from the field, including 7 for 16 from three-point range. But the Hawks lost 123-112 and trail the series 3-2.

They got Young back for Game 6 and while they cut a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to six points (107-101) behind a 21-7 run, they never got the lead and saw their season end with a 118-107 loss, falling to wins short of a berth in The Finals. Young had 14 points and nine assists going just 4 for 17 from the field, including 0 for 6 from three-point range inhis return from a two-game absence.

This offseason for the Hawks front office led by Principal Governor Tony Ressler, General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk was about keeping the core group together, while also making solid adds through the draft, trades, and free agency.

In the draft, the Hawks selected swingman Jalen Johnson No. 20 overall out of Duke University and Atlanta native in point guard Sharife Cooper No. 48 overall out of Auburn University.

“I’m just excited to get to work. That’s the main thing,” Johnson said on draft night to ESPN’s Malika Andrews after getting drafted. “I’m excited to get to work. Do whatever it takes to help this team win. It’s exciting. It’s my dream come true. I’m blessed.”

The reality is though that unless the Hawks suffer major injuries to other key players in the rotation, Johnson and Cooper are player that going to be playing in the G League this season or coming off the bench in garbage time.

In a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings, the Hawks acquired point guard Delon Wright (10.2 ppg, 4.4 apg, 1.6 spg, 46.3 FG%, 37.2 3-Pt.% w/Pistons and Hawks) in late July.

The Hawks also took interim tag off Coach McMillan and made him the full-time head coach of the Hawks inking him to a four-year deal to make him the Hawks permanent head coach in early July.

In late August, the Hawks added a new face to Coach McMillan’s coaching staff in new Player Development Coach Nick Van Exel, who was with the Hawks from 2010-12 in same role.

“Since his playing career, Nick has been very successful in helping develop young guards for the teams he’s worked with, including several that have turned into All-Stars,” Coach McMillan in a statement back on Aug. 26 about Van Exel, who played in the NBA for 13 seasons (1993-2006) with Los Angeles Lakers, Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs. “We feel he will be a great addition helping our young guards continue to improve.”

With a full training camp, McMillan hopes to continue to implement a defensive philosophy that had had the Hawks counting the regular-season and postseason an 18-1 mark when holding opponents under 100 points, which included a 4-1 mark in the 2021 Playoffs. He also will have a full training camp to continue to help Young become an even better floor general.

“He’s got one of those fast cars,” Coach McMillan said to Sports Illustrated about Young and his player early on in his career. “You can’t drive that car the same way on a sunny day as you can when it’s raining and snowing out there. And he was playing fast. He was taking the same shots that he was taking in the first quarter and in the fourth quarter.”

In early August, they signed Young to a five-year, $172 million rookie max extension, which includes a 30 percent escalator clause that raises the salary to $207 million if he makes any of the three All-NBA teams.

That was followed by re-signing Collins to a five-year, $125 million deal, with the fifth year being a player option.

The Hawks also brought back Lou Williams, who said to Ledlow that what the Hawks showed a season ago that they have staying power as an elite title contender in the East. But they have to put in the work starting in train camp and throughout the season if they want to continue their evolution into becoming a serious championship contender.

“We’re not going to sneak up on anybody,” Williams said. “We’ve put the league on notice. And so, every night, teams can’t take off when you the play the Atlanta Hawks. They know they’re going to be in for a fight, and you’re going to get a lot of team’s best effort.”

“Our group has to understand that. Our group has to understand that going into this season, and the earlier we understand that, and we the work that we put in, and the focus we put in moving forward with that mindset, I think that’ll be better off for us.”

Collins in his Media Day interview with NBATV’s Kristen Ledlow on Sept. 27 feels the Hawks have the roster now and moving forward to contend for a championship, especially after the playoff run the went on this past spring.

“I feel like we’ve shown the world and proved to ourselves that we’re right there,” he said. “We just needed some experience. We needed something to go off of in terms of us building off of being in the playoffs because we didn’t have any [playoff] experience. Having a different roster. Now we have Coach McMillan, it’s a very real possibility.”

The start of September saw Capela sign a two-year, $46 million contract extension, that will keep him in Atlanta through the 2024-25 season.

“It’s very good,” Young, who averaged 28.8 points and 9.5 assists (41.8 FG%, 31.3 3-Pt.%, 86.6 FT%) said to NBATV’s Kristen Ledlow at Hawks Media Day on Sept. 27. “It’s very important for guys going into the season in the right mental state. Focus mainly on just basketball and not necessarily on anything else. It’s a great feeling to have, and it’s awesome to see everybody get what they deserve. And I’m just really looking forward to competing with guys for more years and see where this goes.”

The Hawks got off to a slow start in 2020-21 and then finished off with a bang and went on a magical carpet ride in the playoffs that had them two wins away from competing in The Finals.

The Eastern Conference is improved and the top dogs like the NBA champion Bucks, the Brooklyn Nets and maybe the 76ers are coming into the season with high expectations.

“I mean, it’s kind of the approach we’ve had all along,” Young said to Ledlow about being underestimated since he’s been playing basketball in high school. “We know we’re underdogs. We actually kind of still feel that way. But at the same time, we’re always going to have that mentality to go out and play hard and try to win.”

“I’ve been that underdog my whole life since high school. And I think it’s a good thing to have that little chip on your shoulder.”

For the Hawks to repeat what they did this past spring, they will need Trae Young and John Collins to bring their games to an even higher level. They will need to remain healthy and continue to trust each other and continue to trust the coaching of Nate McMillan.

“We have to forget about last season, and start building over some new things, new stuff and get better,” Bogdanovic said to Ledlow. “We have to focus on our things and our chemistry, our basketball style.”

“We’re trying to build a culture. We just did a small part of it last season, and we kind of teased ourselves how can we look, and now, you know, we can used that as motivation and hopefully we can go up from there.”

Best Case Scenario: The Hawks are competing for home court advantage in the East. Young is an All-Star starter for the second time in his career, while Collins makes his first All-Star appearance. The Hawks have one of the higher scoring benches in the NBA. The Hawks become an even better defensive team. The Hawks are competing in the Eastern Conference Finals again.

Worst Case Scenario: The Hawks are fighting to make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. They battle a rash of injuries again. They are bounced in the First-Round of the 2022 Playoffs.

Grade: A-

Boston Celtics: 36-36 (4^th Atlantic Division; No. & Seed in East) 21-15 at home, 15-21 on the road. Defeated the Washington Wizards (118-100) in the Inaugural East Play-In Tournament May 18; Lost to the No. 2 Seeded Brooklyn Nets in the East Quarterfinals 4-1.

-112.6 ppg-16^th; opp. ppg: 111.5-T-15^th; 44.3 rpg-15^th

The Boston Celtics were one series away from their first appearance in The Finals since 2010 in three of the previous four seasons. Injuries to key personnel as well as health and safety protocols and inconsistent play at the defensive end made it rough sailing for C’s in 2020-21 where they had to make the playoffs through the inaugural Play-In Tournament. The Celtics postseason appearance was brief as they were bounced by their Atlantic Division rival from Brooklyn, which led to some big changes in the offseason. With a new head coach, new additions to the roster, and the keys of leadership and the offense in the hands of their young All-Star forwards, the challenge for the Celtics in 2021-22 season is to return to that consistent level of play on both ends of the floor that made them a championship contender.

Just three seasons back, the Celtics had All-Stars Al Horford, Kyrie, and Gordon Hayward, and reserve guard Terry Rozier on the roster along with now All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. But over the past three off seasons, Irving, Horford, Hayward, and Rozier left via leave in free agency or trades], leaving a void in offensive firepower and leadership.

It was believed that the trio of Tatum, Brown, and Kemba Walker, who came to the Celtics via trade from the Hornets the previous off-season along with Marcus Smart could be the lead actors and could lead the Celtics to the promise land of championship No. 18.

Individually Tatum (26.4 points, 7.4 rpg, 4.3 apg, 45.9 FG%, 38.6 3-Pt.%) and Brown (24.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 48.4 FG%, 39.7 3-Pt.%) had exceptional seasons.

Jayson Tatum By the Numbers
2017-18: 13.9 points and 5.0 rebounds
2018-19: 15.7 points and 6.0 rebounds
2019-20: 23.4 points and 7.0 rebounds
2020-21: 26.4 points and 7.4 rebounds

Tatum had 20 games scoring 30 points or more in 2020-21, including four games scoring 40 points or more, and two games with 50 points or more, earning his second straight All-Star selection.

In the Celtics 32-point comeback 143-130 overtime win versus San Antonio Spurs on Apr. 30, Tatum scored a career-high and single-game franchise record tying 60 points on 20 for 37 shooting, including 5 for 7 from three-point range and 15/17 from the foul line. Tatum surpassed his previous career-high of 53 points in the Celtics 145-136 overtime win Apr. 9 versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, with 18 of those 53 points coming in the fourth quarter and overtime. Tatum registered two of the five highest scoring games in the Celtics regular-season history with what he first versus the Timberwolves and then versus the Spurs.

Highest Scoring Games In Celtics History (All Were Celtics Victories)
Jayson Tatum 60 points versus Spurs on Apr. 30, 2021.
Larry Bird 60 points against Hawks at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA on Mar. 12, 1985.
Kevin McHale 56 points versus Pistons on Mar. 3, 1985 (a then Celtics single-game scoring record).
Jayson Tatum 53 points versus Timberwolves on Apr. 9, 2021.
Larry Bird 53 points versus Indian Pacers Mar. 30, 1983.

Brown was also stellar in 2020-21 scoring in double-figures in all 58 games he played, registering 11 games with 30 points or more, including three games with 40 points or more.

Tatum and Brown’s exceptional seasons offensivly is how the Celtics went 30-8 when scoring over 111 points, including 26-3 when they scored 116-plus points.

Even with those breakout seasons by their dynamic tandem, the Celtics managed to only get as high as five games (8-3 on Jan. 15 and 31-26 on Apr. 17).

One of the big reasons for that is Walker to play on 43 games in 2020-21 because of a troublesome knee that kept him on the shelf 29 games a season ago.

Smart (13.1 ppg, 5.7 apg-career-high, 1.5 spg), the team’s best defender missed 19 out of 24 games in 2020-21 from Feb. 2-Mar. 11 because of a left calf strain sustained in the Celtics 96-95 loss versus the archrival Los Angeles Lakers Jan. 30.

Tatum missed eight games in 2020-21, including a five-game stretch from Jan. 15-24 (health and safety protocols).

Because of their inability to have their top players available, the 17-time NBA champions compiled a 16-13 last season with Tatum, Brown, and Walker in the lineup. Also, Tatum, Brown, Walker, and Smart played just 17 games total together.

On top of that, the Celtics were only 6-7 when Tatum and Brown scored 25-plus points each in the same game in 2020-21.

For nearly a decade under head coach Brad Stevens, the Celtics were one of the top defensive teams in the NBA, especially in defending the three-point line. Last season the Celtics streak of 13 straight seasons, ranking in the Top 6 in opponent’s three-point percentage ended as they finished ranked 13^th in three-point percentage allowed at 37.4 percent.

To bring into clearer context the Celtics ups and downs a season ago, from Mar. 26-Apr. 30, they registered wins over the eventual NBA champion Bucks, Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix, but lost at the Pelicans, at the Bulls, at Hornets, and versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While reserve center Robert Williams (8.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg-7^th NBA, 72.1 FG%), who also missed 20 total games because of injury last season played well when he was in the lineup as did rookie guard Payton Pritchard, No. 26 overall pick in 2020 draft out of Oregon University.

However, fellow rookie Aaron Nesmith, as well as recent First-Round picks in Grant Williams, Romeo Langford, and Carsen Edwards have yet develop into consistent rotational players for the Celtics.

To try to get some kind of jump start to close the season, the Celtics at the trade deadline acquired guard Evan Fournier from the Magic, but he too missed nine games from Apr. 6-23 (health and safety protocols).

To make matters worse, the Celtics lost Brown in the middle of last May due to a torn ligament in his left wrist sustained in the team’s 119-115 loss Apr. 27 versus the aforementioned Thunder that required season-ending surgery.

The Celtics finished the season exactly at .500 for only the second time in their 74-year history (1954-55, also a 72-game season) as they closed 2020-21 with a 5-10 mark.

They clinched their seventh consecutive playoff appearance and the No. 7 Seed in East with a 118-100 win in the Inaugural East Play-In Tournament versus the Washington Wizards on May 18 on TNT.

Tatum led the way scoring 32 of his 50 points in the second half, going 14/32 from the field, including 5/11 from three-point range, and 17 for 17 from the foul line.

As a team, the Celtics went 15 for 45 from three-point range and 27 for 32 from the foul line and outscored the Wizards 21-11 in second chance points.

In the First Round against the Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics proved to be no match, dropping Game 1 (104-93), registering just 40 points, and committing eight turnovers in the second half. Tatum had 20 points, but was just 6 for 20 shooting, scoring just 7 points all at the foul line going 7/9 (0/6 from the field) after scoring 15 points on 6/14 from the floor in the first half. Williams III in the loss had 11 points, nine rebounds, and nine block shots off the bench, setting a single-game franchise playoff record and NBA record for the most block shots of the bench in a playoff game all-time.

They were dominated in Game 2 losing 130-108 at the Nets to trail 0-2 in the series with Tatum registering just nine points on 3/12 from the field, leaving the game in the third quarter after getting poked in his left eye and did not return.

The Celtics cut the series lead to 2-1 with a 125-119 win in versus the Nets in Game 3 as Tatum scored 29 of his playoff career-high 50 points in the second half, going 16/30 shooting, including 5/11 from three-point range and 13 for 15 from the foul line. Smart had 10 of his 23 points in the third quarter with six assists on 5/8 from three-point range.

At age 23, Tatum became the youngest player in Celtics history to score 40 points in a playoff game, and the first to register 40 points through three quarters since Isaiah Thomas did it on May 2, 2017. He also became the third youngest player at 23 years and 86 days old to score 50 points in a playoff game in NBA history, behind Hall of Famers Rick Barry (23 years, 21 days) and Michael Jordan (23 years and 62 days). He also

50-Plus Point Games In Celtics Playoff History
John Havlicek: 54 points
Isaiah Thomas: 53 points
Ray Allen: 51 points
Sam Jones: 51 points
Bob Cousy: 50 points
Jayson Tatum: 50 points

Most 50-Points Games Celtics History (Regular-Season, Play-In Tournament, and Playoffs)
Jayson Tatum and Larry Bird with 4 such games
Isaiah Thomas and Sam Jones with 2 such games

Tatum followed that up with 40 points on 10 for 22 shooting and 17 for 17 at the foul line in Game 4, to become the first player in franchise history with consecutive 40-point games in the playoffs. But it was not enough as the Celtics dropped Game 4 141-126 to trail the series 3-1.

The Celtics season would conclude with a 123-109 loss in Game 5 at the Nets who closed the game 36-14.

Celtics fell to 1-11 their last 12 playoff games against the Nets and are 3-12 all-time in playoff series against their Atlantic Division rivals.

Not even 24 hours after their season ended, the Celtics shocked everyone in announcing that President of Basketball Operations since 2003 and former Celtics player Danny Ainge retired.

Ainge, 62, who helped the Celtics teaming up alongside Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish win titles in 1984 and 1986 and 2008 as the team’s lead man in the front office said it was his “instincts” that told him a couple months back that this was the time to retire. Like when two years ago he had a heart attack.

“You’re surrounded by your six children in the hospital and they way, ‘Hey you need to stop this,” Ainge said of that flash back at the presser in early June.

“I’ve been in professional sports for 44 straight years,” Ainge said at that shocking June 2 presser. “And I’ve had a lot of ups and downs and fun and sad losses. Today is not a great day. I wish we would’ve finished the year on a much better not but I feel like there’s so much hope in the Celtics going forward.”

Replacing Ainge as the Celtics leader in the front office was head coach Brad Stevens, who compiled a 354-282 record in his eight seasons as Celtics head coach.

Most Wins In Celtics History
Head Coaches           Wins      Record     Seasons       Years
Red Auerbach            795       795-397    1951-66          16
Tom Heinsohn            427       427-263    1970-78           9
Glenn “Doc” Rivers 416       416-205    2005-13 9
Brad Stevens              354       354-282    2014-21           8
K.C. Jones                  308       308-102    1984-88           5
Bill Fitch                     242       242-86      1980-83           3
Chris Ford                  222       222-188    1991-95           5
Bill Russell                  162       162-83      1967-69          2
Jim O’Brien                139      139-119    2001-04           3
Rick Pitino                  102       102-146    1998-01           3

“I am graful to ownership and to Danny for trusting me with this opportunity,” Stevens said. “I’m excited to tackle to this new role, starting with a wide ranging and comprehensive search for our next head coach and I love the Celtics, and know the great honor and responsibility that comes with this job. I will give it everything I have to help us be in position to consistently compete for championships.”

One of the first moves Stevens, 44 made as the team’s new President of Basketball Operations was acquire All-Star forward/center Al Horford (14.2 pppg, 6.7 rpg, 45.0 FG%, 36.8 3-Pt.%) and fellow big man Moses Brown and a 2023 Second-Round pick from the Thunder in exchange for Walker, the No. 16 overall pick in 2021 draft and a 2023 Second Round pick.

In late June, the Celtics hired former Nets assistant coach Ume Udoka as their new head coach, the 18^th in Celtics history.

Udoka, 43, getting his first opportunity as an NBA head coach played in the NBA for seven seasons (2003-11) with the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers. After retiring as a player, Udoka spent the next seven seasons (2012-19) as an assistant coach for the five-time NBA champion Spurs (2012-19), a member of their 2014 title squad. That was followed by a season as assistant coach with 76ers and the past two seasons as an assistant with the Nets.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the historic Celtics franchise,” Udoka, who has made the playoffs in all seven seasons he has been an assistant coach, including being a part of the Spurs 2014 title team said at his introductory presser in late June.

The advantage Udoka has in the beginning of his NBA journey as a head coach is he is familiar with some of the players on the roster. He also coached Horford his lone season with the 76ers in 2019-20.

One thing Udoka said at his first Media Day presser as Celtics head coach, which was conducted from his home in accordance with the league’s health and safety protocols that he will put a big emphasis on is “unselfishness” and doing things as a team on both ends of the floor, which he has “preached” from day one joining the Celtics.

“In general, being better teammates. Starting to enjoy playing with the guys. And as a staff we want to get to build these relationships with our guys,” Udoka added. “And the big aspect of the guys that I hire [coaching staff] is relatability and relationship building. And I think we’ve seen that taking shape this summer.”

Both Tatum and Brown have expressed their excitement about the hiring of Udoka and are looking forward to what will happen under his leadership.

“Coming up as an assistant, and you get your first head coaching job, you are driven and motivated. And from the conversations that I’ve had since he’s gotten the job, I can tell he’s just really excited,” Tatum, who helped lead Team USA to a Gold Medal at the Olympics in Tokyo said on July 7 about the hire of Udoka. “So, it’s going to be fun, and we’re going to try to accomplish something big.”

Brown echoed those same feelings at Media Day of being excited to be coached by Udoka and that he has both his “full attention” and “full respect,” and that he is all in and looking forward to being an extension of Udoka on the floor.

Udoka also talked about, when he was hired back in late June the excitement in being able to coach the surrounding cast around Tatum and Brown.

“We have two young pillars [Tatum and Brown] that I’m excited to work with. A young talented crew of First-Round picks that we need to accelerate their development,” Udoka also said.

That supporting cast includes eight new players in forward/center Juancho Hernangomez (7.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg w/Timberwolves), who they acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies.

In a three-team deal with the Sacramento Kings and Hawks in late July, they acquired guard Kris Dunn, forward/center Bruno Fernando, and a 2023 Second-Round pick.

In a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, the Celtics acquired Josh Richardson (12.1 ppg, 33.0 3-Pt.% w/Mavericks), who they signed to a one-year, $12 million extension in late August, keeping him in “Beantown” through the 2022-23 season.

In the middle of August, the Celtics signed guard Dennis Schroder (15.4 ppg, 5.8 apg w/Lakers), to a one-year, $5.9 million deal, and is extremely motivated to have a good year after a subpar one with the Celtics arch-rival, who turned down a reported four-year, $84 million extension.

Schroder said in a post on Instagram on Aug. 10 when he signed with the Celtics, “This is one of the best franchises in NBA history and an honor to put on the green and white and do what I love!”

“I’m going to go out there every night and leaving it all on the floor for the city!!! Who’s ready?!”

The Celtics also in the middle of August re-signed Smart to a four-year, $77 million extension, which begins in 2022-23 season. That was followed with signing Williams III to a four-year, $54 million extension.

To add more depth to the front court, the Celtics also brought back for a second stint big man Enes Kanter (11.2 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 60.4 FG% w/Trail Blazers), who registered 34 double-doubles in 2020-21, the second most for a single-season in his career (had 39 double-doubles in 2017-18 with Knicks). Kanter averaged 8.1 points and 7.4 rebounds on 57.2 percent shooting in 58 games played for the Celtics in 2019-20.

Simply put, the Celtics underachieved in 2020-21 by their standards finishing No. 7 in East and a First-Round exit in 2021 Playoffs. They had no continuity or consistency at either end of the floor.

Under the guidance of new team president in Brad Stevens; new head coach in Ime Udoka and his coaching staff that includes Will Hardy and former NBA guard Damon Stoudamire, who played 13 NBA season with the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Spurs; and nine new players on the roster, the Celtics hope to be back in the mix as a contender in the Eastern Conference as well as for championship No. 18

As important as it is for the new coaching staff and the eight new additions to get their footing, the Celtics prospects of having a bounce back season though will depend on if they can get back to being an elite defensive team and if Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown can take their games not just on the court but in terms of how they lead the Celtics.

In competing in the 2020 Olympic Games this summer Tatum said on Media Day in late September to NBATV’s Matt Winer, Stan Van Gundy and Haywood that playing with in the games and against in practice against some of the best in the NBA like Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Devin Booker, and Damian Lillard for a month-and-a-half that he had “no choice” but to improve his game as well as take something different from everyone’s game and try to apply it to your own.”

The Celtics and the fans of the boys from “Beantown” hope that Tatum and team can find that other gear at the defensive end where prior to last season they were amongst the best in “The Association.”

“So many talented teams, especially on offense at the top that we really got to home in and focus as a group. Hang our hats on the defensive end,” Tatum also said to Winer, Van Gundy, and Haywood.

Yes, the likes of the Brooklyn Nets, the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks and possibly the Philadelphia 76ers are the cream of the crop in the East. If the Celtics want to be in the same conversation this season, it is up to them to stay healthy and play to the level defensively that had them in the conversation of being a title contender, especially defensively.

“Last year wasn’t ideal for anyone,” Tatum said to NBATV’s Matt Winer, Stan Van Gundy, and Brendan Haywood via Zoom on Media Day Sept. 27 about last season. “So, just trying to get that behind us. Fresh start, a lot of new faces, you know. Ready to get going.”

Best Case Scenario: The Celtics are competing for a Top 5 seed in the East by becoming a Top 5 defense. Tatum and Brown are All-Stars and are in the conversation for All-NBA. Tatum is in the conversation for Kia MVP. Coach Udoka is in the conversation for Kia Coach of the Year. The Celtics are in the Conference Finals for the fourth time in last six seasons.

Worst Case Scenario: The Celtics are lower seed in the East making the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. The supporting cast does not gel with Tatum and Brown. The defense is subpar again. They possibly have to go the Play-In route to make the playoffs.

Grade: B

Brooklyn Nets: 48-24 (2^nd Atlantic Division; No. 2 Seed in East) 28-8 at home, 20-16 on the road. Defeated the No. 7 Seeded Boston Celtics in East Quarterfinals 4-1; Lost to No. 3 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks in East Semifinals 4-3.

-118.6 ppg-2^nd; opp. ppg: 115.2-26^th; 44.4 rpg-14^th

The Brooklyn Nets entered 2020-21 as one of the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in The Finals. Those expectations went through the roof with the acquisition of the 2017-18 Kia MVP in the middle of January. The problem was they were not on the court together for much of regular season, and two of the three went down in the Semis. Yet behind the 2014 Kia MVP, the Nets hung in there with the eventual NBA champions, but they came up one foot short of getting one step closer to The Finals. With the dynamic trio back, somewhat; another year under the guidance of their head coach, entering his second season, and deep veteran supporting cast surrounding them, the challenge for the Nets is to stay healthy and build a continuity at both ends that will have them holding the Larry O’Brien trophy at season’s end.

With the return of perennial All-Stars and former NBA champions Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets prized 2019 offseason additions from the season before, the dream of a title being brought to Brooklyn, NY became very real. Those dreams were put on hold for the 2019-20 season as Durant was still recovering from surgery on his Achilles sustained with the Golden State Warriors in 2019 Finals, while eventual shoulder surgery cut Irving’s 2019-20 season short that he did not play in the restart in Orlando, FL.

Durant (26.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 5.6 apg, 53.7 FG%, 45.0 3-Pt.%), the 2014 Kia MVP and two-time NBA champion with Golden State Warriors and Irving (26.9 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.8 rpg, 50.6 FG%, 40.2 3-Pt.%, 92.2 FT%), who won a title with Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 had exceptional 2020-21 campaigns.

Durant, a 11-time All-Star for the 12^th consecutive season averaged 25-plus points, which tied him with Michael Jordan for the 2^nd most in NBA history, trailing only four-time Kia MVP of the Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James, whose averaged 25 points or more in 17 consecutive seasons.

Irving, a seven-time All-Star registered 18 games with 30 points or more, including five of his eight career games with 40-plus points as a Net.

Most Career 40-Point Games In Nets’ NBA History

Vince Carter: 17
John Williams: 8
Kyrie Irving: 8
Bernard King: 5

The 2012 Kia Rookie of the Year made the All-NBA Third team in 2020-21 and joined Hall of Famers Larry Bird (1986-87 and 1987-88), current NBA on TNT color analyst Reggie Miller, Nets head coach and two-time Kia MVP Steve Nash (2005-06, 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10), Durant 2012-13 w/Thunder), Warriors’ Stephen Curry (2015-16); and Indiana Pacers starting guard Malcolm Brogdon (2018-19 w/Bucks) as the nine players in NBA history to average shooting 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the free throw.

The expectations of winning a championship under first year head coach Steve Nash went through the roof when Nets General Manager Sean Marks and team governor Joe Tsai acquired 2018 Kia MVP and perennial All-Star and three-times scoring champion James Harden in a blockbuster four-team deal with the Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets and Cavaliers on Jan. 14, dealing Rodions Kurucs, three First-Round picks (2022, 2024, 2026) and four First-Round pick swaps (2021, 2023, 2025, and 2027) to the Rockets; forward/guard Caris LeVert to the Pacers, and Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince to the Cavaliers.

There were many that thought this newly formed big three of Durant, Irving, and Harden would not be able to sacrifice each one’s game for the Nets to become a championship caliber team. The biggest step in that maturation came early on when Irving came out and said that Harden is the point guard.

Harden (24.6 ppg, 10.8 apg, 7.9 rpg, 46.6 FG%, 36.2 3-Pt.% w/Nets & Rockets), whose exit from H-Town was less than pleasant proved he could be the Nets’ main floor general registering 28 of his 36 double-doubles in 2020-21 with Nets, which included 12 of his 58-career triple-doubles (8^th most in NBA history) with the Nets, which tied Hall of Famer Jason Kidd (2006-07 and 2007-08 ) for the most in a single-season in Nets history. When he did assert himself offensively, Harden had nine games scoring 30 or more with the Nets.

When the Nets had Durant, Irving, and Harden on the floor, they looked at times unstoppable with their ability to score and get others involved.

That is how the Nets produced 34 games scoring 120 points or more, which included a franchise record 13 games with 130 points or more. A franchise record 15 quarters with 40-plus points, and four games with 140 points or more, and 27 games registering 30 or more assists, beating their old single season record of 23 such games in the 1984-85 season.

The Nets dynamic offensive attack also included a supporting cast of sharp-shooter Joe Harris (14.1 ppg, 50.5 FG%, 47.5 3-Pt.%-Led NBA), whose in his Nets regular-season career has made 801 total three-pointers, trailing only the 813 treys made by Hall of Famer Jason Kidd. When he scored 20 points or more in 2020-21, the Nets registered a 12-1 mark.

Bruce Brown (8.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 55.6 FG%), Blake Griffin (11.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg w/Pistons & Nets), who the Nets signed in on Mar. 8 after being bought out by the Pistons on Mar. 5, Mike James (7.7 ppg, 4.2 apg, 35.5 3-Pt.%), who was signed to two 10-day contracts on Apr. 23 before being signed for the rest of the season May 13, and Nicolas Claxton (6.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 62.1 FG%).

That depth came in really handy for Coach Nash’s squad who used and franchise record 38 different starting lineups in 2020-21 which was also the second most in NBA. They also had a franchise record 19 different players starting at least one game as well as 27 different players suited up for the Nets in regular season.

The Nets dynamic trio of Durant, Irving, and Harden only played eight games together, going 6-2 in those contests, where Irving was the leading scorer averaging 25.8 points, while Durant and Harden averaged 23.8 and 18.5 points respectably.

Durant in total missed 36 games due to injury and health and safety protocols. He missed 23 of those 36 games from Feb. 14-Apr. 7 with a left hamstring strain. The Nets went 19-4 in that frame without Durant and were 24-12 overall without Durant in the lineup in 2021.

With Irving in the lineup, the Nets went 35-19, and 13-5 without Irving.

In the Nets’ 120-108 win versus Harden’s former team the Rockets on Mar. 31, his suffered tightness in his right hamstring that shelved him for two games and then missed 18 straight games and 20 out of the next 21 games after reaggravating that hamstring in the team’s 114-112 win versus the Knick on Apr. 5.

The Nets since acquiring James Harden on Jan. 14 registered a 42-18 mark, going 29-7 with Harden in the lineup and 13-11 without Harden.

Nets Record Since Acquiring Harden on Jan. 14.

With just Harden: Nets went 4-2
With just Kyrie Irving: Nets went 3-4.
With just Kevin Durant: Nets went 2-0.
With Harden and Irving: Nets went 16-3
With Durant and Irving: Nets went 7-5.

The only time the Nets did not have any Durant, Irving, or Harden in the lineup was on Mar. 24, a 115-85 loss at the Jazz on ESPN.

Because of that depth, the Nets registered a 23-13 mark against teams with a .500 record or better and went 25-11 against sub. 500 teams. Compiled a 39-4 mark when tied or leading after three quarters, including a 23-0 mark at home when leading heading into the fourth quarter.

Nets Highest Home Winning Percentages In Their NBA History

Year            Home Record      Winning Percentage
2001-02               33-8                          .805
2002-03               33-8                          .805
2020-21               28-8                          .777
1982-83               30-11                        .732
3 other times      29-12                        .707

The Nets for the seventh time in their 45 NBA seasons achieved a .700 winning percentage for better at home.

Their 20-16 record on the road was their second-best mark in their NBA history, which also included a franchise record 12 wins in 15 tries on the road against Western Conference opponents. Their 20 road wins overall set a new single-season franchise record.

The Nets finally got healthy by the start of the 2021 Playoffs and led by their dynamic trio out lasted the No. 7 Seeded Celtics in their opening-round.

The won Game 1 104-93 win in Game 1 as Durant in his first playoff game since Game 5 of 2019 Finals at the Toronto Raptors on June 10, 2019, led the way with 32 points and 12 rebounds on 10 for 25 shooting and 11 for 12 at the foul line. Irving had 29 points on 11 for 20 from the floor, while Harden had a near triple-double of 21 points, eight assists, and nine rebounds.

Durant, Irving, and Harden became the third trio in the last 20 postseasons to each score 20 points or in their playoff debut.

Notable Big Threes In Their Playoff Debut Last 15 Seasons

2008 Celtics of Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, and Hall of Famer to be Paul Pierce combined for 50 points in Game 1 win of First-Round versus No. 8 Seeded Hawks; won title in six games over the Lakers.

2011 Heat of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Hall of Famer Chris Bosh combined for 63 points in Game 1 win of First-Round versus 76ers; lost in 2011 Finals in six games against the Mavericks.

2017 Warriors of Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson combined for 76er points in Game 1 win of First-Round against the Portland Trail Blazers.

2021 Nets of Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden combined for 82 points in Game 1 win of First-Round versus the Celtics.

They Nets poured it with a 130-108 win in Game 2 to go up 2-0 as Durant (26), James (20), and Irving (15) registered 61 combined points in Game 2, and Harris had a playoff career-high 25 points on 7 for 10 from three-point range, with those seven made triples tying the single-game franchise playoff record with former Nets lead guard Deron Williams, who made seven threes in Game 4 of the opening-round against the Hawks Apr. 27, 2015.

Nets who led by as many as 33 points in Game 2 had 31 assists on 46 made field goals in winning their seventh straight home game dating back to the regular season.

Any hopes for a sweep went out the window as they Nets lost Game 3 125-119 at the Celtics to see their series lead cut to 2-1.

While Harden (41 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, 11/18 FGs, 7/12 3-Pt., 12/13 FTs), Durant (39 points, nine rebounds, four steals 13/24 FGs, 4/9 3-Pt., 9/12 FTs), and Irving (16 points, six rebounds, 6/17 FGs) combined for 96 of the 119 points, including 60 of the 62 points in second half, the Nets after leading 19-4 to start the game were outscored 121-100 from that point on.

Harden registered the first 40/10-game (points/assists) in Nets playoff history.

The Nets in Game 3 got just 23 total points on 8/25 from the field, including 3/11 from three-point range and just three total assists from the supporting cast.

They bounced back winning Game 4 141-126 at Celtics as the “Big Three” of Durant (42 points 14/20 FGs, 11/11 FTs), Irving (39 points, 11 rebounds, 11/24 FGs, 6/12 3-Pt., 11/11 Fts), and Harden (23 points, 18 assists-playoff career-high, 2 steals, 2 blocks) combined to scored or assisted on 132 of their 141 points.

Harden’s 18 assists were the second most in a game by a Net in their postseason history.

Durant, Irving, and Harden tied the Hawks’ trio of Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Spud Webb, and Randy Wittman in Game 2 of 1986 First-Round against the Pistons and Celtics’ trio of Hall of Famers John Havlicek, JoJo White, and Dave Cowens in Game 1 of 1973 Eastern Conference Finals against the then St. Louis Hawks (now Atlanta Hawks) for the most combined points by a trio in a single-game in NBA Playoff history at 104.

Nets closed out the series in five games with a 123-109 win in Game 5 led by Harden’s fourth career playoff triple-double of 34 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds on 10/17 shooting, including 4/7 from three-point range and 10/11 at the foul line. Irving had 25 points on 3/7 from three-point range, while Durant had 24 points going 4/6 on his threes.

Harden had the 11^th triple-doubles in Nets postseason history, with the other 10 triple-doubles coming from Kidd.

In the Nets 115-107 victory in Game 1 of the East Semifinals versus the Bucks, they lost Harden 43 seconds into the contest (right hamstring).

The remaining 2/3 of the trio picked up the slack as Durant had 13 of his 29 points in the third quarter with 10 boards and two blocks on 12/25 shooting, and Irving had 25 points and eight assists.

The supporting cast also stepped up in Harden’s absence as Harris had 19 points on 5/9 from three-point range, Griffin had 18 points and 14 rebounds on 4/9 from three-point range and James had 12 points and seven boards.

As a team, the Nets went 15/39 from three-point range in Game 1.

The Nets ball movement and perimeter shooting were on point in their 125-86 win in Game 2 versus the Bucks, leading wire-to-wire, up by as many as 49 points to go up 2-0 in the series.

The Nets, whose registered their largest margin of victory in a playoff game in the NBA Playoff history, hit a single-game franchise playoff record 21 made threes, going 21/42 from three-point range, registering 27 assists on 49 made shots.

Durant who had 13 of his 32 points in the first quarter going 12/18 from the floor, including 4/6 from three-point range with six assists, registered his ninth career 30-point game on 65 percent shooting in his playoff career.

Irving had 22 points, six assists and five boards on 4/8 from three-point range. Harris, who hit 3/7 from three-point range and Brown scored 13 points each.

The Nets had their offensive struggles in their 86-83 loss in Game 3 at the Bucks as those 83 points were an overall season-low and their 36.2 percent from the field (34/94 FGs) was their second worst of the season, which included an 8/32 effort from three-point range. They managed a season-low for a quarter with 11 points on 5/25 from the field, including 1/9 from three-point range.

The Nets hung close thanks to Durant who scored 11 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter with 11 boards, five assists, and four steals, while Irving had 22 points, five boards, and three steals on 11/28 shooting, including 3/8 from three-point range. Brown had 16 points and 11 rebounds on 8/17 from the floor.

While Durant went 5/9 shooting for his 11 fourth quarter points, the rest of the Nets registered just seven points on 3/15 from the floor. Harris had just three points going just 1/11 shooting.

Things did not get any better in Game 4 as the Nets not only lost 107-96, which tied the series 2-2, they lost Irving in the middle of the second quarter (sprained right ankle) and did not return. Durant had 28 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, but went just 9/25 shooting, including 3/8 from three-point range.

In Game 5, Durant had the second triple-double of his postseason career with 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, three steals and two block shots on 16/23 shooting, including 4/9 from three-point range and 13 for 16 at the foul line in 48 minutes in helping the Nets overcome a 17-point deficit in the 114-108 win, to stand one win away from a Conference Finals berth.

Harden scored just five points, with eight assists, and six rebounds on just 1/10 from the field, including 0/8 from three-point range in his return from three-game absence (right hamstring strain).

The Nets feel in Game 6 at the Bucks 104-89, forcing a Game 7 at home. They trailed wire-to-wire and Durant had 12 of his 32 points in the third quarter, 11 rebounds, 15/30 from the floor, making three triples and 10/12 at the foul line in 40 minutes. Harden in just his second game of series had 16 points, seven assists, five boards, four steals, going 3/6 from distance.

The Nets in Game 7 were on the brink of the Conference Finals berth late in regulation, but Durant’s spinning jumper that a first was ruled a three-pointer at first that could have closed out the series but was ruled a two-pointer after review because his right toe was on the line, which tied the game and sent it to overtime.

The Nets in the extra period sent just 1/11 shooting, including missing their final 10 shots and lost the game 115-114 in just the seventh ever Game 7 in NBA postseason history to be decided in overtime, losing the series 4-3. It was the first Game 7 to be decided in overtime since 2006 West Semis between the Mavericks at the Spurs, which Mavericks won.

Durant registered his third 40-point game of the 2021 Playoffs with 48 points with nine rebounds, six assists on 17/36 shooting, including 4/11 on his triple tries and 10/11 at foul line. Those three games of 40 points or more by Durant in 2021 Playoffs equaled the total of 40-plus point games in Nets NBA Playoff history of three.

Kevin Durant History Making Game 7

Set NBA record for most points in Game 7 with 48.

Joined Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson and Jerry West as the only three players in NBA Playoff history to score 40-plus points, play every minute, and lose.

This offseason for the Nets was about getting healthy, trying to sign the Durant, who helped lead Team USA to a Gold medal in 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Irving, and Harden to contract extensions.

Most Career Playoff Games Scoring 25-Plus Points In NBA Playoff History
LeBron James (LAL): 184 games
Michael Jordan: 152 games
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 126
Kobe Bryant: 123 games
Kevin Durant (BKN): 115 games
Shaquille O’Neal: 107 Jerry West: 105 games

The offseason began with the 2021 draft with the selection of guard Cameron Thomas at No. 27 out of LSU.

In his lone season for the Tigers, Thomas averaged 23.0 points, registering 16 games with 25-plus points, the most by a freshmen in Southeastern Conference (SEC) the last 25 seasons.

Highest Scoring Averages By Major-Conference Freshmen The Last 25 Seasons

Trae Young (ATL): 27.4 points in 2017-18 at University of Oklahoma
Michael Beasley: 26.2 points in 2007-08 at Kansas State University
Kevin Durant (BKN): 25.8 points in 2006-07 at University of Texas
Markelle Fultz (ORL): 23.2 points in 2016-17 at University of Washington
Cameron Johnson (BKN): 23.0 points in 2020-21 at Louisiana State University.

“I feel great about it because going to Brooklyn—I watched all those offensive guys put buckets. So, just me being around them is just going to be a match made in heaven,” Thomas said to ESPN’s Malika Andrews at Draft Night back in late July about being drafted to the Nets and joining Durant, Irving, and Harden. “I feel like this was an amazing pick, and I can’t wait to get to work.”

In a draft night trade with the Phoenix Suns, the Nets acquired the draft right to forward/center Day’Ron Sharpe out of the University of North Carolina and guard Jevon Carter.

At the start of August, the Nets re-signed Blake Griffin to a one-year, $1.6 million deal. They also re-signed swingman Bruce Brown to a one-year, $4.7 million deal, and forward James Johnson (7.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 44.6 FG% w/Mavericks & Pelicans) to a one-year, $1.6 million deal. They also signed veteran guard Patty Mills (10.8 ppg, 37.5 3-Pt.% w/Spurs) to a two-year, $12 million deal.

Most Made Three-Pointers Off The Bench For Single Team In NBA History

Patty Mills: 1,095 w/Spurs
Manu Ginobili: 929 w/Spurs
Dell Curry: 800 w/Hornets
JR Smith: 652 w/Knicks
Jason Terry: 611 w/Mavericks

In a five-team deal with the Lakers/Pacers/ Spurs/Wizards, the Nets dealt Spencer Dinwiddie in a sign-and-trade to the Wizards and acquired a 2024 Second Round pick (via Wizards); a 2025 Second Round pick swap with Wizards, and an $11.5 million trade exception.

In September, the Nets dealt center DeAndre Jordan, $5.78 million in cash, 2022 Second Round pick, 2024 Second Round pick (via Wizards), 2025 Second Round pick (via Warriors, and 2027 Second Round pick in exchange for center Jahlil Okafor and forward Sekou Doumbouya. Okafor was waived on Sept. 9. Doumbouya was dealt on Oct. 6 to the Rockets along with a 2024 Second-Round pick in exchange for cash considerations. f

In continuing to add depth to their front court, the Nets signed in early Sept. 2 agreed to a one-year deal with forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge (13.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 47.3 FG%, 38.8 3-Pt.%), who signed with the Nets Mar. 28 after being bought out by Spurs three days prior. But due to a heart issue had to retire. The seven-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection was medically cleared by a number of independent doctors as well as the Nets affiliated medical staff to return for his 16^th NBA season.

They also agreed on a one-year, $2.6 million deal with 36-year-old four-time All-Star Paul Millsap (9.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 47.6 FG%, 34.3 3-Pt.% w/Nuggets) in early September.

In early August, the first of the “Big Three” to re-sign was Durant on a four-year, $198 million contract extension, which will begin at the start of next season as he will make $44 million for the 2021-22 season.

At Media Day, Durant, who averaged 34.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.6 blocks on 51.4 percent shooting and 40.2 percent from three-point range in 2020 Playoffs said to NBATV’s Stephanie Ready at Media Day that the goal for this season is to win a championship and that he, Irving, and Durant have the maturity to put their individual deals aside for the betterment of reaching that goal.

“We are all professionals and we all know what the main goal is in the NBA, which is to win a title,” Durant said. “But a lot of factors into that, and we understand that each day is important. You can win one in October. So, we got to be locked in from day one, and once that opportunity presents itself to us, and towards the end of the season, you know, we’ve got to be prepared for it. So, we’re all looking forward to taking those steps.”

Harden who is eligible for a contract extension of four years at about $160 million if he were to sign before the start of this season or five years at $270 million if he waits until summer of 2022 said to Andrews at Media Day that he has over the course of his career he has “never” been a free agent, always remaining loyal to his former team the Rockets in signing contract extensions, and when it comes to re-signing with the Nets he wants to “take his time.”

“It’s going to be very, very difficult to leave here or even to leave Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving,” Harden said to Andrews. “But this season, I just want to focus on winning a championship and everything else will work itself out.

Absent from Media Day physically was Irving, who has yet to be vaccinated and because he is not in accordance with the New York City’s vaccine to be part of indoor events or activities, which went into effect on Sept. 13. The mandate Until he gets vaccinated, he will be unable to play in any Nets home games at Barclays Center or in road games at Knicks, Warriors, Lakers, and Clippers because of the similar vaccine mandates in the cities of San Francisco, and Los Angeles, CA, which goes into effect Nov. 29.

In his Zoom presser from his home for Media Day, Irving said that he would love to keep his vaccination status “private” and have the situation be handled the “right way” with the Nets and to proceed forward with the plan that is worked out through them.

“Obviously, I’m not able to be present today. But that doesn’t mean that I’m putting limits on the future of me being able to join the team, and I just want to keep it that way,” Irving, who is eligible for a contract extension of close to $180 million said.

The Nets and Irving’s teammates at the start of training camp, which was held in San Diego, CA did not make a lot of fuss about him being unvaccinated becajse he was able to practice with the Nets from Sept. 28-Oct. 3.

“I’m envisioning Kyrie being a part of our team,” Durant said after practice on Oct. 6. “Maybe I’m just naïve. But that’s just how I feel.”

“But I think everybody here has that confidence in themselves and our group that if we keep building, we can do something special.”

Durant added that Irving not getting vaccinated is something that is far “bigger” than him, his teammates, coaching staff, and the Nets’ front office. That it is Irving’s “personal choice on his well-being,” and Durant has made the choice for now to just keep coming to practice each day along with his teammates and go hard every rep.

Coach Nash said when asked about Irving’s absence at another practice that the team “supports him.” That they are “here” for him and when he decides to get vaccinated, they will be there for him.

“I’m not worried about anything. We’re just trying to work every day,” Nash said about how he feels about Irving being absent from the team now.

Nets Governor Joe Tsai told the New York Post about Irving’s absence, “So, Kyrie talks about sort of personal choice issue, which I respect,” Nets’ Governor Joe Tsai told the New York Post about Irving not being vaccinated at the moment. “But we all need to NOT forget our goal. What is our goal this year? What’s our purpose this year? It’s very, very clear: Win a championship.”

The situation got very real on Oct. 8 as Irving was listed as “ineligible to play” by the Nets, who said in a statement four days later, “Kyrie Irving will not play until he is eligible to be a full participant.”

This means Irving will not be available to play in roads games in NBA cities where there is no vaccination mandate.

The longer Irving is out, he is in jeopardy of losing out on a great deal of his salary. For each game he is out, Irving stands to see a reduction of 1/91.6 of his salary of 34.9 million, which equates to roughly $380,000 per game.

“Frankly, I hope the Kyrie sort of despite how strongly he feels about the vaccination ultimately decides to get vaccinated because I’d love to see him play basketball this season. And I would love to see Brooklyn have their full complement of players on the floor,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on Oct. 18.

Along with losing out on his money, Irving’s absence could drive a serious wedge into a team that has serious championship aspirations.

The likes of Millsap, Aldridge, Mills, Griffin, and Johnson came to the Nets for less money to chase the one thing missing from their career resumes, a title.

Those chances will remain steady with Durant and Harden in the fold. But like the aforementioned veterans, Durant came to the Nets three summers back and re-signed because he thought he and his good friend in Irving were going to team up to win titles together. James Harden blew up his reputation to join Durant and Irving in Brooklyn to win a title, the one thing missing from his career resume.

In speaking about where he still stands on the getting vaccinated, Irving spoke on Instagram Live the night of Oct. 13 @KyrieIrving.11 saying, “I chose to be unvaccinated and that was my choice. And I would ask y’all to respect that choice.”

“This is not a political thing here. This is not about the NBA. This is not about any organization. Just living by my life and what I’m choosing to do.”

“Don’t believe that I’m retiring. Don’t believe that, you know, I’m going to give up this game for a vaccine mandate or staying unvaccinated.”

Irving missing action is something not new to the Nets, missing all 12 regular season games in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL due to season-ending shoulder surgery. He missed 18 games in 2020-21, most due to personal reasons, and missed Games 5, 6, and 7 in the aforementioned East Semis because of right ankle sprain sustained in Game 4 of the series.

Nets 2021 Postseason With and Without Kyrie Irving
With Irving                  Without Irving
      6-3           Record           1-2
     115.1          PPG             104.7
     +9.9        ppg diff.           -4.3

Last season, the Nets were one shoe inch away from getting one step closer to competing for a championship, thanks to the greatness of Kevin Durant, who rose to the moment when Harden played the last leg of the East Semis against the Bucks on one leg, and no Irving out with a right ankle sprain.

When the Nets were healthy and whole, they averaged a combined 85.2 points in the First-Round against the Celtics, setting a new all-time scoring average by a trio in NBA history according to Elias Sports Bureau.

The Nets will enter 2021-22 with Kevin Durant and James Harden, and a stacked supporting cast ready to compete for a title. Those chances of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy though will be better with Kyrie Irving back in the fold. But there is no telling when that will happen as long as he resist getting vaccinated.

The Nets feel with their “Big Three” and the supporting cast around them, they have as good a shot as the defending champion Bucks, Lakers, and a few other teams of winning it all. Those odds will be even higher if Irving comes back and sooner rather than later.

“We can be as great as we want to be,” Durant said to Andrews at Media Day in late September. “We have the talent on this team. A lot of high IQ on this team, and if we stay on the court together, I think we can do some good things.”

Durant added to that by telling Ready, “I can understand if we were three younger guys who haven’t played in meaningful games before. But we all have played in huge games. So, we know what it takes to win.”

“We also know you need talent in this league as well. So, we’re going to have to come together as a group and keep growing and building on what we started and hopefully we get the job done.”

Harden echoed those same sentiments to Andrews saying, “It’s the same mindset. It’s the same mindset. You just get a whole year of it. Kevin was out. I was out. Kyrie was out. A lot of changes throughout the course of the year, the lineups. Now, you get a full roster and a full year of scary hours.”

Best Case Scenario: The Nets remain healthy and are a Top 3 Seed in the Eastern Conference. Durant is a leading candidate for Kia MVP. Harden leads the NBA in assists per game and is in the Top 5 in triple-doubles. Irving decides to gets vaccinated and builds the kind of chemistry with Durant and Harden, building confidence individually and collectively. The Nets win their first title in their NBA history.

Worst Case Scenario: The Nets battled injuries again. Irving misses a majority if not all of this season because he remains unvaccinated. The Nets fail to reach The Finals.

Grade: A

Charlotte Hornets: 33-39 (4^th Southeast Division; missed the playoffs); 18-18 at home, 15-21 on the road; Lost at Indiana Pacers In Inaugural Play-In Tournament (144-117) on May 18.

-109.5 ppg-23^rd; opp. ppg: 112.7-20^th; 43.8 rpg-19^th

Striking out on their draft selections aside from the players selected in 2021, who they dealt two summers back has had the Charlotte Hornets stuck in irrelevancy. Their First-Round draft choice from summer of 2020; the acquisition of All-Star wing; a career year from the acquisition from “Beantown” back in 2019 and the growth of a couple of the team’s recent lottery picks got the Hornets competing for home court advantage in the East before injuries to said summer 2020 acquisition and their No. 1 draft choice in 2020 stalled that momentum. Their season concluded ended with a thud in the inaugural East Play-In Tournament. With those key players back in the fold along with some key additions via free agency, the draft, and trade, the challenge for the Hornets entering 2021-22 is to stay healthy and be play consistently at the defensive end.

Two off-seasons ago, the Hornets dealt three-time All-Star lead guard Kemba Walker to the Celtics for reserve guard Terry Rozier, in a sign-and-trade, where he got a new three-year, $56.7 million deal. In 2019-20, Rozier averaged career-highs of 18.0 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds on 40.7 percent from three-point range. He increased those numbers again in 2020-21 averaging new career-highs of 20.4 points and 4.2 assists on 45.0 percent from the field, while tying a career-best with 4.4 rebounds, and shooting 38.9 percent from three-point range, the second-best of his career.

After registering a total of five double doubles his first five NBA seasons (first four seasons with Celtics), Rozier matched that total in 2020-21, and registered nine games of 30 points or more, including three games scoring 40 or more.

On Dec. 23, 2020, Rozier scored a career-high 42 points on 15/23 shooting, including 10/16 from three-point range, with the 10 made three-pointers setting a new career-high and an NBA record for season opener in the Hornets 121-114 ats Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rozier set a new career-high 43 points on 16/26 shooting, including 7/13 from three-point in the Hornets’ 112-110 win on May 9 versus the Pelicans.

In the Hornets’ 120-114 victory on Feb. 12 versus the Timberwolves, Rozier scored 26 of his 41 points in the second half going 13/20 shooting, including 6/10 from three-point range and 9/9 from the foul line.

His 222 made threes last season made him the eighth player in franchise history to make over 200 triples in a single season.

Most Made Three-Pointers In Single-Season In Hornets History

Kemba Walker: 260 in 2018-19
Jason Richardson: 243 in 2007-08
Kemba Walker: 240 in 2016-17
Kemba Walker: 231 in 2017-18
Terry Rozier: 222 in 2020-21
Devonte Graham: 218 in 2019-20
Glen Rice: 207 in 1996-97

The play of Rozier in the clutch as season ago is a big reason why the Hornets went from being 17-17 in clutch games in 2019-20 to 18-13 in 2020-21.

When the Hornets dealt Walker two off-seasons back, the question for Hornets Governor and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and General Manager/President of Basketball Operations Mitch Kupchak was would they ever find that floor general that could carry them to better days ahead?

They might have answered that with the selection at No. 3 overall in 2020 of guard LaMelo Ball (15.7 ppg, 6.1 apg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 spg, 35.2 3-Pt.%), who became the eighth rookie in the last 25 seasons to average 15 points, five assists, and five rebounds in his first season in NBA.

He registered 10 games of at least 20 points, five assists, and five boards. Had two games scoring 30 points or more, which included a season-high 34 points with eight assists on 14/27 from the floor, including 4/9 from three-point range and no turnovers in the Hornets 138-121 loss Feb. 5 versus Utah Jazz. Ball became the youngest player in NBA history at age 19 to score 30-plus points with five-plus assists and no turnovers.

In the Hornets’ 113-105 victory on Jan. 9 versus the Hawks, Ball became the youngest player at age 19 to record a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, 12 rebounds.

A performance of 24 points, 10 assists, and seven boards on 7/12 from three-point range by Ball in the Hornets’ 119-94 win versus the Rockets made him the youngest player in NBA history with seven or more made three-pointers in a game.

Those performance along with the fact that the Hornets were in postseason contention with a serious chance of making it for the first time since 2016 is why Ball was named 2020-21 Kia Rookie of the Year, joining Emeka Okafor (2004-05) and Larry Johnson (1991-92) as the three players in franchise history to win that honor. He also made the 2020-21 All-Rookie First-Team.

As impressive as Rozier and Ball were a season ago, head coach James Borrego’s squad was in playoff contention for the first time in aforementioned handful of seasons because of the play of 2017 All-Star selection Gordon Hayward (19.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 47.3 FG%, 41.5 3-Pt.%) who brought a veteran presence, and someone who can score, make plays for his teammates and someone who can in the clutch can score and make plays for others.

When the Hornets took down the Hawks in their own gym (102-94) on Jan. 6, Hayward was the difference maker with a career-high 44 points on 15/25 shooting, including 4/9 from three-point range and 10/12 from the charity stripe.

Hayward five days later registered 34 points on 11/17 shooting and 10/10 at the foul line in the Hornets’ 109-88 win versus the Knicks.

Towards the end of the month on Jan. 24, Hayward had 39 points with nine rebounds on 15/25 from the field, including 5/8 from three-point range in the Hornets 107-104 win at the Orlando Magic.

The play of Ball, Rozier, and Hayward is how the Hornets finished tied for No. 5 in assists per game at 26.8 a season ago. They had a stretch of 13 consecutive games in 2020-21 where the any registered 25-plus assists, the second longest such streak in franchise record behind the 19 straight games from Mar. 17, 1989-Apr. 23, 1989.

For the past decade outside of Walker and right now Ball, the Hornets had missed the mark on a number of their lottery selections. Two of their most recent lottery picks really showed out a season ago in P.J. Washington (12.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 38.6 3-Pt.%) and Miles Bridges, who registered career-highs of 12.7 points and six boards on 50.3 from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.

In his rookie season in 2019-20, Washington, the No. 12 overall pick out of University of Kentucky in 2019 came in with the ability to shoot and a solid faceup game. Last season, Washington became more well-rounded to where he improved as a jump shooter, especially from three-point range, and he learned how to be a better offensive initiator from the elbow of the foul line or around the foul line area.

Washington came up huge in the Hornets 127-126 win on Feb. 28 at the Sacramento Kings scoring a career-high 42 points with eight boards and two block shots on 15/22 shooting, including 5/8 from three-point range.

In the early part of his career, Bridges was known as a highflyer who had incredible athletic ability. But he lacked any kind of substance to his game in his first two NBA seasons. That substance was found in his third NBA season and it made the Hornets an even better basketball team.

Bridges in the Hornets’ 130-115 loss at the Nets on Apr. 16 scored a career-high 33 points with nine rebounds on 13/18 from the floor, including 6/10 from three-point range. He had 30 points on 12/21 from the field, including 5/12 from three-point range in the Hornets 118-109 loss in overtime at the Knicks.

Another young player that showed some promise a season ago was Jalen McDaniels (7.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 46.8 FG%), who averaged 9.0 points and 4.1 rebounds on 47.7 percent from the field, and 35.4 percent on his three-point attempts post All-Star break. In that aforementioned overtime loss at the Knicks, the No. 52 overall pick in 2019 had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds and three steals. He had a previous double-double of 10 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals in the Hornets 102-99 win at the Pistons.

After being under .500 in the early portion of 2020-21, the Hornets produced a 9-5 mark during a 14-game stretch, which included a four-game winning streak from Mar. 3-17 that got them to a record of 25-23, No. 4 in the Eastern Conference at the time after a 114-97 win at the Indiana Pacers on Apr. 2.

Things went downhill from that point as the Hornets went 8-16 their final 24 games. In that win at the Pacers, they lost Hayward for the remainder of the season with a right foot sprain missing the final 24 games of the regular season. They also lost Bridges for a seven-game stretch from May 2-14 (health and safety protocols), and the Hornets went 2-5 without him in the lineup.

Prior to losing Hayward and Bridges, the Hornets were without Ball, who was shelved for 21 games due to a fractured right wrist sustained in the team’s 125-98 loss at the Clippers Mar. 20.

While Ball maintained his production of 15.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds the final 10 games of the season, the Hornets went only 3-7, which included a five-game losing streak from May 9-16 to close the regular season, with three of the five losses by five points or less.

Their playoff dreams came to a crashing conclusion as they lost 144-117 at the Pacers on May 18.

The Hornets never led in the defeat as they trailed by as many as 39 points. They went just 12/40 from three-point range as they allowed the most points in a game since 1994 as they missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season, the longest drought currently in the Easter Conference.

Bridges had 23 points with eight boards on 10/16 shooting in the loss. Rozier had 16 points, six assists, and eight boards, while Ball had 14 points, but just four assists.

To put how big of a loss Bridges was for the Hornets, in his 15 previous games, he was averaging 20.3 points and 7.1 boards on 52.6 percent from the field, 44.1 percent from three-point range, and 83.7 percent at the charity stripe.

Hornets Since Gordon Hayward Injury Apr. 2 At Pacers

Before                    After
25-23   record       8-16
4^th      Place East   10^th
111.2     ppg           105.9
46%     FG%         44%
38%    3-Pt.%       35%

The Hornets season came to a crashing conclusion with a 144-117 loss at the Pacers in the inaugural Play-In Tournament on May 18, which kept the Hornets out of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, the longest playoff drought in the Eastern Conference, and second longest playoff drought currently in the NBA.

Hornets never led in the defeat, trailing by as many as 39 points. Bridges led the way with 23 points and eight boards on 10/16 shooting. Rozier had 16 points, six assists, and eight rebounds. Ball had 14 points, but just four assists.

The process of getting the Hornets back into this position again this upcoming season began in the 2021 draft with the selection of guard James Bouknight at No. 11 overall out of the University of Connecticut. At No. 56, the Hornets selected guard Scottie Lewis out of University of Florida.

In a draft night trade with the Knicks, the Hornets acquired power forward Kai Jones (No. 19 overall pick) out of University of Texas, in exchange for a future First-Round pick.

In a deal with the Pistons, receiving veteran big man Mason Plumlee (10.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 61.4 FG% w/Pistons) and the draft rights to forward JT Thor (No. 37 overall pick) out of Auburn University in exchange for the draft rights to center Balsa Koprivica (No. 57 overall pick) from Serbia and Florida State University.

The 21-year-old Bouknight brings the Hornets another scorer who can really shoot and is not afraid to get in the paint and get rebounds. He is an explosive scorer who can get to the basket; shoot from mid-range as well as three-point range. Can create his own shot and has a solid step back jumper. In 15 games last season for the Huskies, the Brooklyn, NY native averaged 18.7 points and 5.7 boards becoming a First-Team All-Big East selection in 2020-21.

Bouknight said he fell in love with basketball he began to dunk and said that he has modeled his game after Bradley Beal of the Wizards and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.

If the Hornets get a player that is anywhere close to the level of those All-Stars in Bouknight, he could make a real difference maker, which he will have a chance of doing with the exits of Malik Monk in free agency and the trade of Devonte Graham, more on that in a moment.

When asked on draft night by ESPN’s Malika Andrews after getting drafted that if someone would have told the former baseball player, who was a switch, hitter who played shortstop, pitcher, catcher, and centerfielder that he would one day be a NBA lottery pick, that he would have “laughed at you.”

“Just to see how much hard work I put in, and to see it all paying off, this is really a blessing,” Bouknight said.

Jones, who was track and field athlete was drawn to the game of basketball was the excitement of people watching the game, which he referred to as a “performance.” One performer on the hardwood that became his basketball inspiration was four-time Kia MVP, four-time NBA champion and four-time Finals MVP LeBron James.

Jones, 20 used that inspiration to become the 2020-21 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year in his sophomore season for the Longhorns, averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds on 58 percent from the field.

Another inspiration of Jones’ is fellow Bahamas native Deandre Ayton of the Suns, who he met when he was 16 years old, and the two worked out together. During that workout Ayton told Jones that he was going to be the No. 1 overall pick. Ayton became the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 draft, which Jones called “very inspirational.”

Jones in his post draft interview with Andrews said that he would wake up at 5 a.m. before school to work on his game, and then one hour later would lift weights. Go to school and play some pickup games after school.

“This rapid rise goes to God and just my work ethic,” Jones said to Andrews. “Coming into the game, I knew that I was behind in some respects. So, I just worked twice as hard as everybody that I knew. Just a lot of hours and a lot of faith, and belief in myself.”

In Thor, the Hornets have a front court player that has an excellent combination of size, length, and quickness, that possesses great instincts to be an elite defender. He is great at defending smaller guards on defensive switches on the perimeter.

In free agency, the Hornets added two veterans that they believe can have an impact in forward Kelly Oubre, Jr. (15.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg w/Warriors) on a two-year deal worth about $26 million and guard Ish Smith (6.7 ppg, 3.9 apg, 37.6 3-Pt.% w/Wizards) on a one-year, $4.5 million deal.

In Smith, 33 the Hornets added a well-traveled floor general who has proven to be a solid understudy as well as a spot starter, who has played for the Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Warriors, Magic, Bucks, Suns, Thunder, 76ers, Pelicans, Pistons, and Wizards a season ago. The Hornets will be his 12^th team in his 11-year career. He is most noted for quickening the pace of play when he is on the floor.

In Oubre, Jr., the Hornets get a dynamic wing who is breath taking in the open floor; a ball mover, who brings energy and enthusiasm to the floor.

Last season with the Warriors, the 25-year-old struggled with his perimeter shot the ball that he got corrected late into last season. But he was on the shelf down the stretch of 2020-21, missing 10 games with an injured left wrist, and missed 15 games in total a season ago.

The hope is the Hornets have Oubre play to the level he did two seasons prior where with the Suns he averaged career-highs of 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds on 45.2 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from three-point range.

“It’s going to go to a different level because I add another set of versatility on the court,” Oubre, Jr. said at Media Day of what he will bring to the Hornets in 2020-21. “I can play all coach ask me to do as well as the other guys that are on this team.”

“So, we pretty much have a solid group that can play any position, you know. And that’s good for the flow of the game of basketball and the flow of our team.”

What the Hornets did more than anything was keep a core member of their team signing Rozier to a four-year, $97 million extension that will keep him in Charlotte though the 2025-26 season.

While the Hornets record has not been great under Coach Borrego at 95-124 in his first three seasons, Jordan and Kupchak see a different feel about the team and see that they are headed in the right direction. That is why this offseason, Coach Borrego was signed to a multi-year contract extension on Aug. 9.

At Media Day, Rozier said that last season was just the start of the maturation process of he and Ball becoming one of the more solid backcourts in “The Association.” He added that last season they only played half a season starting together, which was mainly due to Ball missing 21 games with the aforementioned fractured wrist.

“So, when you got two guys that really respect each other and really love the game, really want to get better, you know, skies the limit,” Rozier said.

In his Zoom interview on Media Day with NBATV’s Dennis Scott, Ball said that during the summer, a lot of the Hornets player worked out at the team facility, working on to better their individual games, which he believes is going to lead to good things for the Hornets this season.

Ball In His Rookie Season of 2020-21

Wins           Losses
17.0   ppg     14.7
7.1     apg       5.4
47.2 FG%   40.8%
41.5 3-Pt.% 29.7%

On what he learned from his rookie season, especially while being shelved with the fractured wrist, Ball said that he really learned how his body, and really worked hard this offseason to get his “body right.”

The play of Ball in his rookie season was enough for the Hornets to where in a three-team deal with the Pelicans and Grizzlies trade guard Devonte’ Graham to the Pelicans and received forward/guard Wes Iwundu, a 2022 lottery-protected First-Round pick, and cash considerations from the Pelicans.

What really excites Coach Borrego entering this season is that most of the team is returning, meaning they will continuity, which will allow them to hit the ground running and not have to build their foundation from scratch.

“When you have consistency and continuity, you can build from year-to-year. You’re not starting over. Trying to build a new foundation,” Coach Borrego said at Media Day. “That’s why you look at the teams that make runs and have success, they’ve played together for a while. They got a couple of years under their belt under the same system.”

The Hornets last season put themselves in position to make the playoffs for the first time in five seasons. Those playoff dreams were dashed in large part due to injuries to Hayward and Ball, who missed a total of 49 games in 2020-21, and they were without Bridges for seven games late last season.

As the Hornets enter this season, if they want to end the longest playoff drought currently in the Eastern Conference of five straight seasons, staying healthy is at the top of their to do list. It is also making sure they can rebound and defend consistently.

Outside of the veteran in 31-year-old Mason Plumlee, who brings the ability to finish strong at the basket and is an excellent passer, there is a lot of youth in their front court in P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges to go along with the rookies in JT Thor and Kai Jones, who will be competing for a spot in the big man rotation that was occupied by longtime Hornets’ mainstay center Cody Zeller, who left in free agency.

The Hornets will have the ability to score and play make with the number of interchangeable combinations they will be able to put on the hardwood with Terry Rozier, LaMelo Ball, Ish Smith, Hayward, Washington, Kelly Oubre, Jr., and Jalen McDaniels.

“I love the depth that we have on this team, and I love the ability for guys to step up,” Hayward said about the Hornets’ wing depth at Media Day. “I think that was shown last year as well. Different guys showed up. So, versatility of our team too makes it so guys can slide between different positions.”

Ball added to that by saying to Scott about the ability to play with pace that the Hornets, who ranked No. 10 in fastbreak points in 2020-21 at 13.7 “love” to play up tempo.

“When we’re in transition, we feel like we’re at our best. So, we definitely love doing that, and we love to do that,” Ball said.

It will not work though if the Hornets do not remain healthy. Last season, Ball, Rozier, Hayward, and Washington played only 11 total games together in 2020-21, compiling a 7-4 mark. A season ago, the Hornets had 59 percent of their minutes played by rookies, second and third-year players, trailing only the Timberwolves.

As the saying goes health is wealth. Well bad health cost the Hornets a playoff berth a season ago. A healthy Charlotte Hornets may mean a return trip to the playoffs.

“It’s definitely big for us to stay healthy,” Ball said to Scott. “As we can see last year when we was healthy, we was playing our best basketball. So, definitely staying healthy is going to be a big thing for us this year, and we all was in the weight room and everything doing that.”

Best Case Scenario: The Hornets are competing for a playoff spot in the lower half of the East. They stay healthy, particularly Hayward. Ball is in consideration to be an All-Star. Coach Borrego is in consideration for Kia Coach of the Year. Bouknight is in the running for any of two All-Rookie teams. The Hornets end their five-year playoff drought.

Worst Case Scenario: The Hornets are in the Play-In Tournament again. Hayward miss significant time because of injury. Ball under performs in his sophomore season. The Hornets miss the playoffs for 6^th straight season.

Grade: C+

Chicago Bulls: 31-41 (3^rd Central Division; missed the playoffs) 15-21 at home, 16-20 on the road.

-110.7 ppg-21^st; opp. ppg: 113.7-24^th; 45.0 rpg-11^th

The previous front office regime of the Chicago Bulls wanted to build themselves back to being a playoff perennial from within. But after missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season and for the fifth time out of the last six seasons, the current front office scrapped that whole plan completely and changed up the roster to fit around their All-Star guard/center combination and some of the players that they feel can get them back to the playoffs. The challenge for the Bulls entering 2021-22 is getting the new additions and their All-Star duo to fit together on both ends of the floor.

When former Assistant General Manager of the Denver Nuggets Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley took over as Vice President of General Manager respectably, replacing longtime GM Gar Foreman and John Paxson, they along with longtime chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and his son Michael wanted to change the culture where it was a privilege to come to work each day and not the this is a drag to be here.

Last off-season, the new regime axed then head coach Jim Boylen, and replaced him with former Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, who brought a 243-157 mark in five seasons in OKC to the “Windy City.”

Even with a new head coach, the play of the Bulls was still in consistent on both ends of the court and couple that with key injuries to key personnel on the roster, you get another season where the Bulls were on the cusp of making it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, but it did not happen.

What gave the Bulls a crack at making the playoffs a season ago was the play of Zach LaVine (27.4 points-7^th NBA, 5.0 rpg, 4.9 apg, 50.7 FG%, 41.9 3-Pt.%), who registered career-highs across the board and earned his first All-Star selection of his career.

The two-time Slam Dunk champion at NBA All-Star Weekend registered 47 games scoring, 20 points or more in 2020-21, which included 25 games with 30 points or more, which was tied for fifth in NBA. That also included five games scoring 40 or more, which was tied for No. 4 in the NBA.

LaVine also registered 33 games of 25-plus points in 2020-21, a new single-season career-high, surpassing his previous mark of 31 such games.

LaVine along with Warriors’ Stephen Curry; Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nets’ Kevin Durant were the five players to average 27-plus points, five-plus rebounds, and five-plus assists in 2020-21.

In February, LaVine averaged 30.9 points per game, the fifth highest scoring month for the Bulls since 1993-94 season.

Highest Scoring Average In a Single Month By Bulls Player Since 1993-94 (Minimum of 5 Games)

                                     Month/Season            Points Per Game
Michael Jordan           Jan. 1995-96                      32.5
Michael Jordan           Feb. 1996-97                      32.4
Michael Jordan          Apr. 1997-98                      32.3
Michael Jordan          Nov. 1996-97                      31.9
Zach LaVine               Feb. 2020-21                      30.9

On Apr. 9 at the Hawks, LaVine had 39 of his career-high 50 points in the opening-half, going 18/31 from the field, including 7/12 from three-point range. It was the first time since Michael Jordan (Feb. 24, 1997) that a Bulls player scored 30 points in first half. LaVine also became the first Bull to score 50 points in a game since Jimmy Butler in Jan. 2017, and the joined Jordan, Chet Walker, Jamal Crawford, and Butler as the five players to score 50 points in a game in franchise history. The problem was that the Bulls lost the game 120-108.

Even with a career-year by LaVine, the Bulls just never gained any traction in the East, mainly because the supporting cast around LaVine was either injured, which was the case for Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter, Jr., Wendell Carter, Jr., and Chandler Hutchison.

While he put up solid numbers, Coby White (15.1 ppg, 4.8 apg, 35.9 3-Pt.%), who registered three games scoring 30 points or more in 2020-21 could not find the balance between being a facilitator and a scorer.

Patrick Williams (9.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 48.3 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.%) was steady on both ends of the floor in his rookie season. But being chosen No. 4 overall in last year’s draft, the Bulls expected more of an impact out of the Florida State product.

At the Mar. 25 trade deadline, the Bulls front office acquired from the Orlando Magic All-Star center Nikola Vucevic (23.4 ppg, 11.7 rpg-5^th NBA, 3.8 apg-tied career-high, 47.1 FG%, 38.8 3-Pt.%) and Al-Farouq Aminu in exchange for Carter, Jr. and two future First-Round picks.

In a three-team deal with the Celtics and Wizards, Bulls acquired big man Daniel Theis and forward/guard Javonte Green from the Celtics and forward/guard Troy Brown, Jr. from the Wizards. They sent Luke Kornet to the Celtics and Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison to the Wizards.

Vucevic provided another scoring option for the Bulls, while also giving them a consistent rebounder who can make plays for others. He registered 18 of his 48 double doubles a season ago with the Bulls.

The new additions pairing with LaVine however did not move the needle as the Bulls went just 12-17 post NBA trade deadline and went 15-21 overall post All-Star break. One of those new additions in Brown, Jr. missed the final 15 games of the season with left ankle sprain.

This off-season, the Bulls front office led by Karnisovas and Eversley got really aggressive in upgrading the roster with veteran players that can contribute at a very high level.

They brought in some championship experience with the signing of guard Alex Caruso (6.4 ppg, 40.1 3-Pt.% w/Lakers) on a four-year, $37 million deal.

In a deal with the Spurs, the Bulls acquired four-time All-Star guard/forward DeMar DeRozan (21.6 ppg, 6.9 apg-career-high, 49.5 FG% w/Spurs) via sign-and-trade on a new three-year, $85 million deal. The Bull dealt to the Spurs forwards Thaddeus Young and Al-Farouq Aminu and two future Second-Round picks.

In a deal with the Pelicans, the Bulls acquired lead guard Lonzo Ball (14.6 ppg, 5.7 apg, 4.8 rpg, 1.5 spg, 37.8 3-Pt.% w/Pelicans) via sign-and-trade on a four-year, $85 million deal, sending guard Tomas Satoransky, guard/forward Garrett Temple, a 2024 Second-Round pick and cash to the “Big Easy.”

In a three-team deal with the Cavaliers and Trail Blazers, the Bulls acquired forward Derrick Jones, Jr. (6.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 48.4 FG% in 58 games w/Trail Blazers), a 2022 lottery-protected First-Round pick from the Trail Blazers and a 2023 Second-Round pick from the Cavaliers, sending Markkanen to the Cavaliers.

Bulls also signed in free agency center Tony Bradley (7.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 66.5 FG% w/76ers & Thunder) to a one-year, $1.6 million deal. Signed forward Alize Johnson to a two-year, $3.6 million deal. Signed guard Matt Thomas to a one-year, $1.6 million deal. Re-signed forward/guard Javonte Green to a two-year, $3.4 million deal. Exercised the fourth-year rookie scale option for 2022-23 on Coby White and third year option on Patrick Williams.

While the Bulls upgraded the roster, they also brought in a lot of new styles, that bring their own strengths but bring a lot of personalities that Coach Donovan and his coaching staff have to mesh together and find a cohesiveness on both ends of the floor.

DeRozan, entering his 13^th NBA season, like Vucevic and LaVine were offensive first players for a majority of their careers.

With Team USA, which captured a Gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, LaVine in order to get any consistent playing time under head coach Gregg Popovich of the Spurs had to consistent focus on that end of the hardwood, which he did.

If the Bulls have any chance of ending their playoff drought in 2021-22, they have to bring a consistent focus at the defensive end both individually and collectively. If they are anything close to the team that ranked 23^rd in opponents field goal percentage (47.3%); 28^th in steals per game (8.5); 18^th in blocks per game, those playoff aspirations may not be met.

The other thing that has to happen for the Bulls is their young players have to understand sacrifice some of their individual games to benefit the team.

“I’m all for patience, maturity, and understanding. First and foremost, before I even play the game, I understand every single one of these guys strengths a when it comes to basketball,” DeRozan said at Media Day. “Just my knowledge of what it takes to be successful. What it takes to bring a team together.

“There’s going to be ups and downs. It’s going to be obstacles that you got to hit. But that’s the beauty of life period,” DeRozan said at Media Day about upcoming season. “It’s about how you bounce back when things get tough and you got to figure out something. So, it’s a new challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”

Ball, who has yet to make the playoffs entering his fifth NBA season on his third team figured things out last season to post career-highs across the board said that he is willing to sacrifice some of his game to help the Bulls win.

“For me, it’s just staying focused at the task at hand, and that’s winning. Whatever that consist of. Whether it’s not shooting the ball, shooting the ball, playing hard every night, picking up the slack on defense. Whatever it takes to win. That’s what sacrifice is for me.”

The Bulls have not made the playoff in five out of the last six seasons, missing out on the postseason the last four consecutive years. With the new additions, highlighted by the acquisitions of four-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball, the Bulls front office led by Arturas Karnisovas and Mark Eversley feel a sense of urgency this season to the Bulls to earn at least a spot in the Play-In Tournament.

There is particular urgency for Zach LaVine, who is eligible for a contract extension as he will enter the last year of a four-year, $78 million deal. While he has said all the right things about helping lead the Bulls back to the playoffs and became more dedicated to the defensive end, which helped Team USA winning Gold at 2020 Summer Olympics, he said to reporters at the Olympics that he has outplayed his contract and because of his loyalty to the Bulls and he has said that he likes being in the city of Chicago that he just wants his respect with a new contract.

LaVine who has averaged 24.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in his first four seasons with the Bulls did say to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst last month about his contract situation that the Bulls did what was best for them and that he will do what is best for the team this season and the team winning games will take care of everything.

“I’m going out here this next year just focusing on us trying to get better and me helping the team win and the contract will play itself out,” LaVine, said to ESPN’s Malika Andrews on “NBA Today” on Wednesday.

“Business is business. But I got to take care of business on the court first and you know that’s what I I’m most excited for.”

The Chicago Bulls have missed the playoffs four consecutive seasons and in five out of the last six seasons. The current front office led by Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley opened the checkbook to upgrade the talent on the team, which gave their star player Zach LaVine perhaps the most talented team he has had in his career to date.

How LaVine and this talented group consisting of DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball can build a high level of continuity on both ends of the floor will determine if their playoff drought concludes this spring.

“IF I put my money on it, I think so, LaVine said to Andrews when asked if the Bulls will be winners this season. “That’s what I go out there to do. We don’t go out there and way we’re going to lose. I’m going out there to try to turn this team into a championship contender.”

Best Case Scenario: The Bulls make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. LaVine earns his second straight All-Star selection and is in the conversation for making any of the three All-NBA teams. DeRozan, Vucevic, LaVine, and Ball develop a solid cohesion on both ends of the floor. The Bulls play at a consistent level on the defensive end.

Worst Case Scenario: The Bulls struggle defensively again and miss out on the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

Grade: B+

Cleveland Cavaliers: 22-50 (4^th Central Division; missed playoffs) 13-23 at home, 9-27 on the road.

-103.8 ppg-30^th; opp. ppg: 111.5-T-15^th; 42.8 rpg-24^th

With LeBron James on the roster, the Cleveland Cavaliers made the playoffs, reaching The Finals five times, winning their lone title in franchise history five seasons back. Without LeBron James, they have been a lottery team. In the three seasons that have followed James’ second exit in free agency the summer of 2018, the players the Cavaliers have selected through the picks, the additions in free agency, and the head coach leading them now have inched up in the win column the last two seasons despite missing out on the postseason. The challenge for the Cavaliers entering this season is to again improve that number wins while developing their team to eventually becoming a playoff perennial down again.

After registering 19 wins in each of the previous two seasons, the Cavaliers registered 22 victories in the shortened 72-game campaign in 2020-21. While that is not much to brag about, consider the fact that they have gone from a winning percentage of .232 (19-63 record) in 2018-19, to .292 (19-46), and to .306 as season ago.

A large part of that improvement is due to having solid leadership on the sideline in head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who took over for longtime University of Michigan head coach John Beilein whose hard nose, it’s my way for the highway style got him axed just 54 games in the NBA, where the Cavaliers compiled a 14-40 record before he resignation on Feb. 19, 2020. Bickerstaff took over for Beilein and was named their full-time head coach on Mar. 10, 2020

The Cavaliers showed some progress early last season with a mark of 8-7 after the first 15 games. But that success was short lived as they lost 10 in a row from Feb. 3-21. They responded with a four-game winning streak from Feb. 23-Mar. 1, but that was followed by a mark of 7-16 their next 23 games. It got worse at the close of 2020-21 with the Cavaliers compiling a 1-13 their final 14 games, which included an 11-game losing streak straight from Apr. 23-May 10 that doomed any hopes of a berth in inaugural East Play-In Tournament. They also dropped their final eight road games of last season and went just 2-12 their final 14 home games of 2020-21.

They really showed the true mark of a young team as they went an abysmal 1-46 in 2020-21 when they trailed by double-digits, the worst mark by any NBA team in last 20 seasons since Bulls compiled a 1-57 mark in 2000-01 NBA campaign. The Cavaliers lone win coming back from a double-digit deficit came on Jan. 6, when the team overcame a 15-point deficit for a 96-91 win at the Hawks.

The Cavaliers early season success last year was because of the improved play of their starting backcourt of Collin Sexton (24.3 ppg, 4.4 apg, 37.1 3-Pt.%) and Darius Garland (17.4 ppg, 6.1 apg, 45.1 FG%, 39.5 3-Pt.%).

After registering 34 games scoring 20 points or more in his second NBA season of 2019-20, Sexton, the No. 8 overall pick in 2018 draft had 48 games where he scored 20 points or more in 2020-21, which included seven games scoring 30 points or more.

That growth was helped by Garland taking on the role of being the lead guard developing the instinct of getting his teammates off in a game first and then looking for his shot. He also showed balance in when and when not to shoot, which led to his shooting percentages going up from his rookie season.

To put Garland’s growth from his rookie season to his second NBA season in 2020-21, he went from registering just one double-double as a rookie to registering six a season ago.

Darius Garland Comparison First Two NBA Seasons

2019-20              2020-21
12.3      ppg         17.4
   3.9       apg           6.1
40.1% FG%        45.1%

In a five-team deal with the Nets, Rockets, and Pacers on Jan. 14, the Cavaliers acquired center Jarrett Allen (12.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 61.8 FG%-6^th NB A w/Nets & Cavaliers) and forward Taurean Prince from the Nets and sending guard Dante Exum to the Rockets and a 2022 Frist-Round pick (via Bucks).

In another deal with the Rockets eight days later, the Cavaliers dealt guard Kevin Porter, Jr., who had yet to play from them to start last season due to an offseason weapons charge, and he had an outburst due to his locker was changed following the Cavaliers acquiring Prince to them in exchange for a future Second-Round pick.

Allen, who averaged 11.2 points and 10.4 rebounds, on 67.7 percent from the field to averaging a career-best 13.2 points and 9.9 boards on 60.9 percent from the field. He registered 20 of 25 double doubles in 2020-21 with Cavaliers.

In the Cavaliers 117-110 loss on Feb. 21 versus the Thunder, Allen tied his career-high with 26 points with 17 rebounds on 11/11 from the field becoming the first player in NBA history with 25-plus points and 15-plus rebounds on perfect shooting from the floor. Allen also became the first player in NBA history to put 25/15 (points/rebounds) on perfect shooting since 1980, and the first since current Lakers’ 8-time All-Star center Dwight Howard did it 11 years ago while with the Magic.

Allen tied his career-high with 26 with 18 rebounds and four block shots on 10/11 shooting in the 112-96 win on Feb. 24 versus the Rockets. He set a new career-high 27 points with 12 rebounds, and three blocks in the Cavaliers 119-110 loss Apr. 25 versus the Wizards.

Isaac Okoro (9.6 ppg), the No. 5 overall pick in 2020 draft was able to get a whole lot of minutes and play through his mistakes. At time he showed flashes that he could be a reliable wing player in the league that can shoot as well as defend some of the best perimeter players in the NBA.

Even with the improvement of Sexton and Garland; the play of Allen; and at times Okoro, the Cavaliers really struggled at the offensive end in 2020-21.

They ranked dead last, No. 30 in three-point percentage (33.6 percent) while ranking No. 28 in opponent’s last season allowing 38.3 percent a season ago. They were held to under 100 points 29 times a season ago.

It did not help that some key personnel in the Cavaliers rotation missed significant time because of injury or health and safety protocols that totaled 297 missed games in 2020-21, third in NBA.

Sexton (12) and Garland (18) combined missed 30 games with injury a season ago. Allen missed eight games from Mar. 27-Apr. 14 due to a concussion sustained in the Cavaliers 100-86 loss at the Lakers.

A calf strain shelved perennial All-Star Kevin Love for all but 25 games a season ago, which is on the heels of playing just 22 games. When he did play, he was not the same Kevin Love, who has been a double-double machine for nearly his entire career. He average just 12.2 points, his lowest since he averaged 11.1 points in 2008-08 with Timberwolves. His average of 7.4 rebounds in 2020-21 was the lowest of his career and his 40.9 percent from the floor was his lowest since 2012-13 season, where he played in only 18 games for the Timberwolves.

Cedi Osman (10.4 ppg), who missed 13 games a season ago because of injury shot career-lows of 37.4 percent from the floor and 30.6 percent from three-point range.

Those injuries, which led to the Cavaliers having 30 different starting lineups in 2020-21 opened up playing time for the likes of Dean Wade and Dylan Windler. But they too missed games because of injury last season.

Since being selected No. 26 overall in the 2019 draft, Windler out of Belmont University has missed a total of 106 games his first two NBA seasons.

The offseason for the Cavaliers was about adding another young player to their young core as well as getting some veteran leadership to aide in the development of Coach Bickerstaff’s roster. They also made a major commitment to a key part of that core, while also adding a player who needed a fresh start.

In a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves in late July, the Cavaliers acquired veteran guard Ricky Rubio (8.6 ppg, 6.4 apg w/Timberwolves) in exchange for Prince, a 2022 Second-Round pick and future cash consideration.

For much of his 10-year career in the NBA with the Timberwolves for two stints, Jazz, and Suns, Rubio has been known for his inability to shoot at a consistent level, demonstrated by his 38.8 percent from the field and 30.8 percent a season ago with the Timberwolves.

What Rubio has been in the NBA is a floor general who will run the offense like you want it. Will guard his position pretty well and be an extension of the head coach on the hardwood He showed that and then some for entire career both internationally, like in this summer’s Olympics in Tokyo for the Spanish national team and in his career in the NBA.

That kind of leadership is what Sexton and Garland will have every day in practice and on the sidelines from Rubio.

“I mean, 10 years in the league gives you a lot of experience of being around all kind of like coaches, teammates, and all that stuff,” Rubio said in an interview on Oct. 2. “So, it’s quick and good adjustment for me. Feeling the way, I feel where I’m in great shape, great mental health, where I want to be feel like lose out there, and that helps me play at the pace that I was looking for. It’s everything. Plays like in slow motion. That what you want to see when you’re in the point guard position.”

Rubio also said that he has to prove he can keep teams honest with his jump shot and ability to score, which he showed during this summer’s Olympic games in Tokyo, where he was aggressive at the offensive end but being the kind of floor general for the Cavaliers where he controls the tempo, understands where everyone needs to be at the offensive end, and getting the ball to the key players, especially if they have not touch the ball for three straight possessions.

With the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft, the Cavaliers selected center Evan Mobley out of USC, who averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in his lone season for the Trojans, earning Pac-12, Freshmen, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2020-21, the first ever in the history of the conference to win all three of those honors.

Mobley also was someone who comes from a solid background having played his lone season at USC with his brother Isaiah, and being coached by his father Eric, who was an assistant coach on Andy Enfield’s staff at USC. Mobley’s mother Nicol coached both her sons on how to rebound when they were learning how to play basketball.

“We have a great chemistry. Anything that he sees me do on the court that he thinks I can do better, he always tells me,” Mobley said after getting drafted to ESPN’s Malika Andrews on draft night in late July. “I just love him so much. He’s just a great dad.”

In Mobley, the Cavaliers drafted a big man who brings a lot of versatility at the defensive end with the ability to guard multiple positions, and especially in the pick-and-roll where he can switch and hold his own when checking guards in space. Offensively he is a great rim runner with a solid handle.

“He was our guy,” Coach Bickerstaff said to ESPN’s Richard Jefferson on the Sept. 15 addition of “NBA: The Jump” on selecting Mobley. “His ability to play with the ball in his hands at that size. He can put the ball on the floor. He can lead the break. He can really pass. His mid-range game in college was really good as well. You don’t find many 7-foot guys who have the ball skills he has very often.

Bickerstaff also mentioned how he likes the fact that Mobley likes to play defense, especially at the rim in blocking shots, defensive rebounding, being able to guard in space. That will give Mobley a chance to “set his base” Bickerstaff added, and he and his coaching staff will “push the trigger” for Mobley on the offensive end also.

“It’s our job to put him in position to be successful,” Bickerstaff said about trying to make sure Mobley success in his rookie season on the hardwood.

In early August, the Cavaliers signed Allen, a restricted free agent to a five-year, $100 million deal.

“It made me feel special…It felt good for me,” Allen said on Media Day via Zoom to NBATV’s Dennis Scott about signing his new contract over the summer. “They believe in me. I showed the work. They trusted that I could bring a certain talent to the team, and now I’m here ready to work.”

Allen also said to Scott that during the off-season that he worked on establishing a more refined game in the low post. On his face-up game and attacking basket as well as his jump shot.

In a three team deal with the Bulls and Trail Blazers in late August, the Cavaliers acquired forward Lauri Markkanen (13.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg w/Bulls) via sign-and-trade on a new four-year, $67 million deal, sending a 2023 Second-Round pick to the Bulls and forward/center Larry Nance, Jr. to the Trail Blazers.

While he shot career-highs of 48.0 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three-point range a season ago for the Bulls, the former No. 7 overall pick out of the University of Arizona, has struggled to stay on the hardwood missing at total of 66 games the past three seasons.

Markkanen has the tools to be one of better stretch big men in the NBA. The key for him is that he has to do a better job of mixing it up of when to shoot from the perimeter and when to post-up, especially when he is being defended by a player that is smaller than him.

“I think I’m acclimating pretty well,” Markkanen said to Go4Itradio via Zoom on Oct. 2 about his time so far with the Cavaliers. “Guys welcomed me with open arms. We’ve been having a good time. There’s no bad guys in the locker room. I think everybody’s just happy to be around each other. So, that made it a lot easier.”

“I think every year just, no matter how well you play, I think you’re just ready to get better and prove yourself to improve as a player. That’s what I’m trying to do. Just be the best version of me.”

The other advantage for Markkanen will have with his new team is he will share the load of taking care of the paint on both ends with Allen, Mobley and for now Love.

“The great part about them is they complement one another,” Coach Bickerstaff said to Jefferson about Allen, Love, Mobley, and Markkanen being able to play together. “They can play whether it’s Jarrett Allen’s ability to role to the basket. The three other guys ability to pick-and-pop shoot from space. They can guard multiple positions.”

“So, I think it gives us a lot of versatility. All those guys are ball skilled as well. So, we can put the ball in their hands. Allow them to make plays, and in the open court, all of them to use their speed and athleticism, so, we can pick up our tempo and play faster.”

The Cavaliers success this season and moving forward though will depend on the continued growth of Sexton and Garland. According to Coach Bickerstaff, both have made strides in both their individual games and that they are improving as leaders on the team.

Bickerstaff said that the next big step for Sexton and Garland is “figuring” out the “game within the game” from how to translate what they do on the floor into the win column more consistently. The addition of Rubio and more time on the court will hopefully speed up that learning curve for Sexton, who is up for his rookie contract extension, and Garland.

“The skill is there. The talent is there. There’s no doubt about it,” Bickerstaff said to Jefferson about the talent level of Sexton and Garland. “But now, like all young point guards… you have to be able to control 14 other players, coach on the floor, talk to the refs, understand your opponent.”

“That experience they’ve gained over the past few years we fell they’re ready to take that jump.”

If the Cavaliers want to play at a high-octane speed where they become more potent in the open court, they will need Sexton and Garland to take a more active role on both ends of the floor.

The other cloud hanging over the Cavaliers currently is what they decide to do with Love, who has two years and $60 million left on his four-year, $120 million deal.

There have been rumors that the Cavaliers want to waive Love, but he does not want to give up any of the $60 million left on his deal.

At Media Day on Sept. 27, Love, entering his 14^th NBA season said his calf that as previously mentioned hindered him for much of 2020-21 “feels good.” That he is in “good” on both fronts in terms of his physical and mental space.

When it comes to playing with Markkanen and Mobley, Love said that he wants to be a “compliment” to them on the court. As the “most tenured” player on the Cavaliers roster, Love said there are some lessons having been the NBA for now 14 seasons that he can pass on to Mobley and Markkanen.

“Just hoping to help them get better. Help myself as well and seeing where we can make the greatest impact on the floor,” Love said on the impact he hopes he can have on Markkanen and Mobley.

As far as his own future with the Cavaliers, Love agent told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski back in September that he was not interested in having his contract bought out. Love said at Media Day that a contract buyout had “never even come up,” and that it was all speculation.

“For me, it’s never been a thing. I’m still sitting here Year 14 as a Cav[alier],” Love said. “Listen, it’s a young team. That’s, you know, obviously where this is headed and where this is going. But what I’m going to try and be, and like I told J.B. and Koby [Altman] a positive force. Wherever this ends up, I just want to make sure that at least internally, in here when we walk into this building that it’s positive. When I go into Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, I want it to be positive.”

It has been nearly 20 years since the Cavaliers have won a playoff series without LeBron James on the roster, 1993 to be exact when defeated the then New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets 3-2 in the First-Round. To put that into perspective, this blogger was a fifth grader in Grand Avenue Elementary School in Baldwin, NY.

The Cavaliers have two foundational pieces in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, along with Jarrett Allen, and Cedi Osman in their journey to becoming a perennial playoff team again. They hope that additions of Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen, and Ricky Rubio will help in that drive to competing for at least a spot in the Play-In Tournament.

For Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the goal for this season is to be an “exciting team to watch.”

“Our guys are extremely unselfish. They compete their tails off every single night and we expect that to continue,” Coach Bickerstaff told Jefferson. “What we’re really looking for is we want people to come watch us and enjoy watching us play. We’re young. We’re dynamic. We’re fast. We’ve added some veterans in Ricky Rubio. Kevin Love is obviously still here and we know his skill set.”

“So, we just want to be an exciting team to watch. We want to be a competitive team that our fanbase can attach themselves to.”

Best Case Scenario: The Cavaliers are competing for a spot in the Play-In Tournament. Collin Sexton is in the running for his first All-Star selection and gets his rookie contract extension. Mobley is in the running for one of the two All-Rookie squads. Lauri Markkanen remains healthy and has a serious impact on the Cavaliers.

Worst Case Scenario: The Cavaliers have a victory total in the teens again. Markkanen deals with injuries again. The team has a few losing streaks of four games or more.

Grade: C

Detroit Pistons: 20-52 (5^th Central Division; missed the playoffs) 13-23 at home, 7-29 on road.

-106.6 ppg-27^th; opp. ppg: 110.9-11^th; 42.7 rpg-25^th

While they missed the playoffs for the 10^th time in the last 12 seasons, finishing with the second worst record in the NBA in 2020-21. the Detroit Pistons saw progress in terms of their player development as they hit the reset button in their first season under their new General Manager. They got a career-year out of their top off-season acquisition. The trade and buyout of two veteran players cleared the way from a rookie class that showed signs of a brighter future in the “Motor City.” With the addition of a possibly generational No. 1 overall pick from this July’s draft; the re-signing of wing player who showed well when he was acquired last March, and the addition of a solid veteran big man, the challenge for the Pistons for 2021-22 is to earn in the Play-In Tournament to make it back to the playoffs.

On June 18, 2020, the Pistons hired former Thunder Assistant President of Basketball Operations Troy Weaver as their new GM.

Weaver was brought in to find the right young talent through the draft and free agency that get the Pistons back to being a playoff perennial, like they were during the 2000s, where they made six straight appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals (2003-08), making The Finals in 2004 and 2005, winning their third NBA title in 2004.

He and the Pistons front office made that very clear a season ago when on Feb. 8 he traded 2011 Kia MVP Derrick Rose along with a 2021 Second-Round pick (via Hornets) to the Knicks in exchange for Dennis Smith, Jr.

On Mar. 5, forward Blake Griffin, 32, who earned his sixth All-Star selection just two years prior was bought out of his contract.

The Pistons gave a hint of this might happen when they dealt two-time All-Star center and three-time rebounding champion (2016, 2018-20) Andre Drummond, age 27 at that time to the Cavaliers at the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6, 2020.

Reggie Jackson, 31 at the time on Feb. 18, 2020 was bought out of his contract.

On Mar. 13, the Pistons acquired forward/guard Hamidou Diallo from the Thunder in exchange for forward/guard Svi Mykhailiuk and a 2027 Second-Round pick.

These moves cleared up minutes for rookies Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Saben Lee, and Killan Hayes, who registered 28 percent of the team’s minutes in 2020-21 all had promising seasons.

Bey (12.2 ppg, 4. 5rpg, 38.0 3-Pt.%), the No. 19 overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Villanova University displayed a great ability to stretch the defense, and that earned his way onto the 2020-21 All-Rookie First Team.

In the Pistons 108-102 win at the Celtics on Feb. 12, Bey scored a season-high 30 points with 12 rebounds on 10/12 from the field, including 7/7 from three-point range.

Pistons Rookies To Score 30 Points In A Game Last 35 Seasons

Allan Houston: 31 points, 12/24 FGs, 6/12 3-Pt. at Hornets Apr. 23, 1994.
Grant Hill: six games in 1994-95 season.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 30 points, 11/19 FGs, 5/7 3-Pt. at Thunder Apr. 16, 2014.
Saddiq Bey: 30 points, 10/12 FGs, 7/7 3-Pt. Feb. 12 at Celtics.

It was one of 13 games a season ago that Bey made at least five three-pointers in his rookie season, setting a new single-season NBA record for a rookie, surpassing the previous record holders in Warriors Stephen Curry (2009-10) and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson (1996-97).

Isaiah Stewart (7.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 55.3 FG%), the No. 16 overall pick out of the University of Washington, whose draft rights were acquired on draft night from the Trail Blazers brought energy and determination to the floor every game as a rookie.

That energy as well as getting more playing time with the departure of Griffin led him to making the 2020-21 All-Rookie Second Team behind averages at the All-Star break of 5.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and one block on 55.5 percent from the field to averages of 10.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.5 block shots on 55.1 percent from the field post All-Star break. He even became more comfortable shooting from three-point range, getting that up to 34.5 percent after the All-Star break.

Killian Hayes (6.8 ppg, 5.3 apg), the No. 7 overall pick from Lakeland, FL was expected to be the Pistons starting lead guard of the future. But a hip injury that shelved him for 41 of the 46 games he missed his rookie season derailed those plans for last season. But he did show signs of that potential to close 2020-21.

He had a season-high 11 assists in the Pistons 115-105 loss on Apr. 29 at the Mavericks. He had a season-highs of 21 points and seven rebounds with eight assists on 9/17 shooting, including 3/6 from three-point range in the Pistons 108-96 loss on May 9 versus the Bulls.

With Hayes out the early part of last season, that opened up time for rookie Saben Lee (5.6 ppg, 3.6 apg, 47.1 FG%) and Frank Jackson, No. 31 overall pick in 2017 by the Pelicans 9.8 ppg, 45.7 FG%, 40.7 3-Pt.%), who turned a two-way contract in late December 2020, into an opportunity that would pay off in a big way, more on that in a moment. They also acquired veteran floor general Cory Joseph (8.2 ppg, 3.4 apg, 46.9 FG%), who averaged 12.0 points and 5.5 assists on 50.6 percent from the floor and 36.8 three-point percentage.

One player who made the most of his new opportunity was the first big catch in free agency for Weaver in Jerami Grant, who set career-highs with an average of 22.3 points, with 4.6 rebounds on 35.0 percent from three-point range.

After not registering one 30-point game his first seven NBA seasons with the 76ers, Thunder, and Nuggets, the son of former NBA player Harvey Grant and nephew of four-time NBA champion with the Bulls and Lakers Horace Grant had nine games scoring 30 points or more in 2020-21. That included a career-high 43 points on 15/25 shooting, including 4/9 from three-point range and 9/9 from the foul line in the Pistons 105-102 loss at the Bulls Feb. 17. Grant became the 11^th player in franchise history to score 43 points or more in a road game.

In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns selected forward/guard Josh Jackson out of University of Kansas with the No. 4 overall pick. While he showed some promise talent wise, his maturity was not up to par and he was dealt to the Grizzlies, who assigned him to their G League affiliate the Memphis Hustle before being called up by the Grizzlies after averaging 20.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Jackson signed with the Pistons on Dec. 1, 2020 and averaged a career-best of 13.4 points with 4.1 boards.

While he did miss some time being in health and safety protocols, Diallo (11.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 47.7 FG%, w/Thunder & Pistons) continued his career season in coming over to the Pistons.

In the team’s 102-99 loss versus the Hornets on May 4, Diallo scored a career-high 35 points with seven rebounds on 14/22 shooting, including 4/6 from three-point range.

He had three of his career-high seven double-doubles with the Pistons, which included a performance of 19 points and 10 boards in the team’s 118-104 win versus the Raptors. In the 104-91 loss versus the Nuggets, Diallo had his seventh double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Even with all the solid seasons by head coach Dwane Casey’s squad, who led the NBA in bench scoring average at 41.3 in 2020-21, they went through the growing pains of a team that is rebuilding as 22 of their 52 losses came by single digits. Their 7-25 mark in clutch games (games within five points in the final five minutes of regulation/overtime; .219 winning percentage), the eighth worst winning percentage in 25 years of play-by-play. They went just 9-30 against teams .500 or better; 3-41 when trailing at half; 1-43 when trailing after three quarters; and 8-28 post All-Star break.

That inability to close games and wilt when they were behind by double-digits led to five straight losses to close the season; a 1-9 mark their last 10 games of 2020-21 and a 4-16 mark the final 20 games of last season.

On June 22 at the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery, the Pistons for the first time since 1970 won the No. 1 overall pick. With that pick, they chose that franchise changing prospect that comes around once maybe every 10-15 years in guard Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State University.

The 2020-21 Big 12 Player of the Year and first ever player in Cowboys basketball history to named AP First-Team All-American averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in lone season at OSU.

For a Pistons team that had their issues scoring a season ago, Cunningham brings to the table a playmaker who can score on his as well as put his teammates in position to score. He can score at all three levels (at the basket, mid-range, and from three-point range). Defensively, Cunningham can guard nearly all five positions, and can make plays in the clutch.

Above all, Cunningham brings the kind of maturity that a player that is going to be charged with leading a team like the Pistons back to prominence.

Highest Draft Picks By Pistons In Draft Lottery Era (Began 1984)
Year               Player                                    Pick
2021       Cade Cunningham                No. 1 overall
2003         Darko Milicic                       No. 2 overall
1994           Grant Hill                          No. 3 overall
2020          Killian Hayes                      No. 7 overall
2010          Greg Monroe                      No. 7 overall

That maturity comes from the fact that Cunningham has a two-year-old daughter Riley, who he called his “world” on draft night to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols that night of the 2021 NBA Draft on July 29.

“From then on, I just had a different approach towards, you know, working towards what I wanted. Making sure I didn’t waste any days,” Cunningham added about what his daughters has meant to him. “To actually look up in the stands and see her up there, those are thing that, you know, you don’t lose those memories.”

Before he has played an NBA game, Cunningham has already drawn comparisons to Hall of Famer Grant Hill for his ability as a big wing to handle the ball, shoot and make plays for others.

One similarity that the two have is that when they were drafted by the Pistons, with Hill being drafted in 1994 No. 3 overall, they came to the Pistons at a time where they needed someone to resurrect them from the ashes of NBA futility.

The Pistons when Hill arrived were four years removed from winning the second of back-to-back titles led by Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, and current WNBA head coach of Las Vegas Aces Bill Laimbeer. Over the next five seasons with Hill as the headliner, the Pistons reached the playoffs four times (1996-2000), but never got past the First-Round.

The Pistons hope that Cunningham can led them at least back to the postseason very soon and hopefully back to championship glory, which they reached as mentioned in 1989, 1990, and 2004.

“Troy Weaver, Coach [Dwane] Casey, both of them have been saying, you know, this is a restoration process more than anything because the city of Detroit, the Pistons have been the best team in the world before,” Cunningham said at Pistons Media Day. “So, we’re just trying to bring back that culture that’s already lived in the city.”

“That’s what we’re trying to restore every day. We have a young core to start it out. Bunch of young talent that I feel like once we come together that we have a real shot at reaching that.”

The Pistons also drafted forward Isaiah Livers (No. 42 overall) out of University of Michigan, who brings a sharp-shooting stroke and play play both small and power forward and is a decent rebounder. They also drafted center Luka Garza (No. 52 overall) out of the University of Iowa, the 2020-21 Wooden, Naismith, and AP Player of the Year behind averages of 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds on 44 percent from three-point range.

On draft night, the Pistons in a deal with the Hornets acquired the draft rights to center Balsa Koprivica (No. 57 overall pick) out of Florida State University in exchange for forward/center Mason Plumlee and the draft rights to forward JT Thor (No. 37 overall pick) out of Auburn University.

In free agency, the Pistons brought in another veteran presence in forward/center Kelly Olynyk (13.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 48.3 FG% w/Heat & Rockets), who had a career year, especially with the Rockets where he put up averages of 19.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 54.5 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from three-point range.

To put what Olynyk with the Rockets into context after he was acquired at the Mar. 25 trade deadline from the Heat, he scored 20 points or more in 12 of the Rockets final 17 games of last season and in 15 of his 27 games with Rockets.

Entering last season, Olynyk had not scored 20-plus points more than six times in a season. He registered 23 career double-doubles entering last season with nearly half of those, 11 of his 12 double-doubles coming with the Rockets.

“I’m at a point in my career where I feel like I can help a team like this, a young team with leadership, you know, on and off the court,” Olynyk said at Pistons Media Day. “Just teaching guys because I’m nine years in now. I kind of have those tricks of the trades. It’s time to pass them on. So, I thought it was a great opportunity from that standpoint.”

In free agency, the Pistons also signed forward Trey Lyles on a two-year, $5 million deal. Re-signed Lee to a three-year, $5.1 million deal. Brought back Diallo on a two-year, $10.4 million deal, as well as Joseph on a two-year, $10 million deal.

In continuing to build towards the future, the Pistons in a trade with the Nets acquired center DeAndre Jordan, who was bought out of his contract and wa`ived, and a 2022 Second-Round pick; 2024 Second-Round pick (via Warriors); 2027 Second-Round pick and $5.78 million in cash.

So far in the early part of camp, there is feeling of the corner being turned by the Pistons to where with all the young talent they have assembled sprinkled in with a few vets to also show them the ropes of what it means to be a great NBA pro.

“We’ve got some guys that have a year or few years under their belt. So, I think we’re just gelling together right now,” Grant said about the Pistons roster entering this season. “Everybody’s getting use to each other. It’s been looking good though. A lot of energy. A lot of young guys getting use to how we move. The pace of the game and things like that.”

Along with having the presence of veterans like Olynyk, Grant, and Joseph, the Pistons brought back from their last title team in 2004 resent Hall of Famer and four-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace was hired as a Basketball Operations and Team Engagement Advisor.

“I feel like he can teach me a lot,” Stewart said about being able to pick the brain of Wallace each day on how to become a better defender. “Just because of the guys he’s guarded back there. Hearing that he’s going to be around more is definitely going to be invaluable. I’m going to be picking [his brain] every day. So, hopefully he don’t get tired of that.”

Being a player or a part of the Pistons is different than any of the other 29 NBA teams because, you are not just representing the team and the organization, according to aforementioned Hall of Famer and lead guard on their back-to-back title teams in 1989 and 1990 in Isiah Thomas. You are representing the city of Detroit, MI and the “moms and dads” that watch you on television from their respective homes, bars, or restaurants that are “rooting” for you and “living” through you.

That was the case for the likes of the parents of Detroit natives in NBA legends and now NBATV studio analyst Steve Smith; ESPN NBA analyst and host of “Jalen and Jacoby” Jalen Rose, who also has his own school the “Jalen Rose Leadership Academy;” and fellow recent Hall of Fame inductee Chris Webber.

“That Detroit connection is tight,” Thomas said during the NBATV’s Pistons Team Preview on Oct. 6. But we never knew we were having that kind of impact on the next generation that’s coming up. So, anytime the Pistons take the floor, they’re playing for the city. They’re playing for those little kids, and they’re playing for the moms and dads.”

The last time the Pistons No. 1 overall pick, they selected No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft was 1970, taking future Hall of Famer Bob Lanier out of St. Bonaventure.

The Pistons have missed the Playoffs in 10 of the last 12 seasons, including the last two. Getting back there will not be easy. There positioning themselves to get back there with the additions they have made through drafting the last two off-seasons Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes, and Saben Lee. The additions off the waiver wire waivers, free agency, and trades like Jerami Grant, Josh and Frank Jackson (no relation), Hamidou Diallo, and Corey Joseph have brought veteran leadership and professionalism that the Pistons young core can learn the ropes of what it means to be in the NBA.

They also have a head coach/General Manager combination in Dwane Casey and Troy Weaver that are on the same page and have a philosophy on what kind of players they want in Detroit to get them back to being a playoff perennial in the Eastern Conference.

“There’s no choice if you want to be a good player, and we have a great group of young men that have bought in to that, and I think the fruits are going to show,” Casey said about the prospects for the Pistons and their young group this season and moving forward. “I don’t know exactly when. But they’re going to show and I’m seeing steps right now.”

Best Case Scenario: The Pistons are competing for a spot in Play-In Tournament. Cunningham wins Kia Rookie of the Year. The Pistons bench is one of the highest scoring in the league again. Another high scoring season for Grant. Their defense gets better. The core young guys continue to improve.

Worst Case Scenario: The Pistons have another 20-win or lsess season. Cunningham play is uneven as a rookie. The young guys have more down moments than up in their maturation in the NBA.

Grade: B+

Indiana Pacers: 34-38 (2^nd in Central Division; missed the playoffs) 13-23 at home, 21-15 on road.

-1115.3 ppg-8^th; opp. ppg: 113.2-22^nd; 42.7 rpg-26^th

Injuries, poor defense, a disconnect between the players and their new head coach late, the Indiana Pacers despite having one of their best offensive seasons in their NBA history missed out on the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. With their third head coach in three seasons, who enters with the cupboard stocked with talent, the Pacers challenge for this upcoming season is to stay healthy; improve defensively and position themselves to not have another early playoff exit.

In the off-season of 2020, the Indiana Pacers wanted to modernize how they played on both ends of the court. So, President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard and General Manager Chad Buchanan hired former Raptors assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren as their new lead man on the sidelines.

The change early on seemed to be working, especially at the offensive end.

Pacers Offense 2019-20 and 2020-21

2019-20                            2020-21
109.4     ppg                     115.8
28.0   3-Pt. Att.               34.0 (15^th)
49.3 Pts In Paint           54.0 (3^rd)
12.8 Fastbreak Pts         16.6 (2^nd)

In 2020-21, the Pacers set a single-season record with 873 made three-pointers. Went 17-6 when they scored 120 points or more, including 9-4 when they scored 130 points or more. That also included three games scoring 140 or more, going 2-1 in those contests.

The Pacers really showed how potent they can be offensively at Thunder on May 1, where they registered a 152-95 win.

Pacers In Their 152-95 Win May 1 At Thunder

Scored 42, 40, and 44 points the first three quarters.

Their 57-point victory was their second largest single-game victory in their NBA history since joining the NBA in the 1976-77 NBA/ABA (American Basketball Association).

Their 57-point margin of victory is the second largest margin of victory in NBA history, surpassing the 56-point win by the then Seattle Supersonics (now the Thunder) over the Houston Rockets in 1986 and equaled the Celtics 56-point win in 2018 at the Bulls.

Shot 65.5 percent from the field, including doing 21/33 from three-point range.

The Pacers potent offensive attack was courtesy of career years from Malcolm Brogdon (21.2 ppg-career-high, 5.9 apg, 5.3 rpg, 45.3 FG%, 38.8 3-Pt.%) and two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis (20.3 ppg, 12.0 rpg-4^th NBA, 6.7 apg-Led team, 53.5 FG%).

Brogdon along with the Warriors, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic of the Mavericks, Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers, Trae Young of the Hawks, De’Aaron Fox of the Kings, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder, and Ja Morant of the Grizzlies were the lead guards to lead their team in scoring a season ago.

Last season, Sabonis registered, 48 double-doubles, which tied for No. 4 in the NBA, and included nine triple-doubles, the fifth most in NBA in 2020-21. His 13 triple-doubles since joining the Pacers are the most in their history.

Most Triple-Doubles In Pacers History
Domantas Sabonis 13
Detlef Schrempf 6
Lance Stephenson 5
Vern Fleming 5
Mark Jackson 4
Paul George 2
Jamaal Tinsley 2

Players To Average 19-Plus Points, 11-Plus Rebounds, And 6-Plus Assists In Single-Season In NBA History
Oscar Robertson: 1961-62
Wilt Chamberlin: 1966-67 and 1967-68
Kevin Garnett: 2002-03 /Timberwolves
Russell Westbrook (LAL): 2018-19 w/Thunder and 2020-21 w/Wizards
Domantas Sabonis (IND): 2020-21

Sabonis in 2020-21 led the Pacers in scoring 17 times, rebounding 53 times, which included registering 14 games with at least 15 rebounds, and assists 20 times.

The problem for the Pacers a season ago was two-fold. They dealt with a lot of injuries and they could not stop anyone at the defensive end.

T.J. Warren (15.5 ppg, 52.9 FG%), the talk of the NBA restart in Orlando, FL in 2020 missed all but four games in 2020-21 due to a stress fracture in his left foot.

Jeremy Lamb (10.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 40.6 3-Pt.%) missed the first 13 games of 2020-21 recovering from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medical collateral ligament), and fracture femur sustained on Feb. 23, 2020. He also missed three games from Mar. 31-Apr. 6 (sprained toe) and the final 16 games of the regular season (left knee soreness).

Myles Turner (12.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.4 bpg-Led NBA, 47.7 FG%) missed 25 total games, including the final 16 of 2020-21 and 22 of the final 23 games with a partial plantar tear of his right big toe.

Sabonis and Brogdon also were on the shelf with injuries a season ago missing 16 and 10 games respectably. With Sabonis in the lineup, Pacers were only 29-33, but were 5-5 without Sabonis.

In a four-team deal with the Nets, Cavaliers, and Rockets the Pacers acquired from the Nets forward/guard Caris LeVert (20.2 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.6 rpg w/Nets & Pacers), a future Second-Round pick, and cash consideration in exchange two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo.

LeVert though was on the shelf for 26 games following the trade after discovering during his team physical with the Pacers that he had a small mass on his left kidney that required immediate surgery.

When he did return to the lineup, LeVert scored in double-figures in 32 of his 35 games with the Pacers, scoring at least 20 points in 16 out his final 24 games of the regular season, including in 14 of the 20 games of 2020-21. That also included scoring 30 or more six times. LeVert also registered four of his career-best six double-doubles with the Pacers after having only five such games in his first four NBA seasons.

That inability to have a steady playing rotation and their inability to consistently play defense is why the Pacers concluded 2020-21 with a 26-34 record, including a 19-24 mark after their 134-128 overtime win Feb. 17 at the Timberwolves, the last time they would be over .500 in 2020-21.

In the final 36 games of last season, the Pacers had a point differential of -63, getting outscored 1,056-993 in the fourth quarter. They were outscored in the final period in 21 of their final 36 games.

That poor defense along with the injuries also ended the Pacers streak of consecutive seasons with a winning home record at 31 consecutive seasons (1989-2020), which tied them with the Trail Blazers (1973-2004). Only the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns had long seasons with a winning home record at 34 and 32 respectably.

Holding the team above water with all the injuries was the likes of Oshae Brissett (10.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 48.3 FG%, 42.3 3-Pt.%), who signed a 10-day contract on Apr. 1, and then signed him to a three-year deal on Apr. 21. In his 21 games with the Pacers, Brissett produced five-double-doubles, which included performances of 23 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks in the Pacers 122-116 win versus the Thunder on Apr. 23, and 31 points and 10 rebounds on 10/16 shooting, including 5/8 from three-point range in the May 16 victory at the Raptors in the regular-season finale.

They also got steadiness from reserve guard T.J. McConnell (8.6 ppg, 6.6 apg, 1.9 spg-2^nd NBA), who had a career-best five double-doubles in 2020-21, including his second career triple-double of 16 points, 13 assists and had an NBA record nine of his 10 steals in the opening-half in the Pacers’ 114-111 victory on Mar. 3 at the Cavaliers. McConnell registered the first point-assists-steals triple-double since former Hawk Mookie Blaylock had 14 points, 11 assists, and 10 steals against the 76ers Apr. 14, 1998.

Throw in their Justin Holiday (10.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 38.2 3-Pt.%), who was the only Pacer to play in all 72 games a season ago.

In the Inaugural East Play-In Tournament, the Pacers were dominant in their 144-117 win versus the Hornets on May 18, leading wire-to-wire, up 40-24 after the first quarter, and led by as many as 39 points.

Brissett led the way with 23 points on 10/16 from the floor, including 4/6 from three-point range. McConnell had 17 points and four steals. Brogdon, who returned from a 10-game absence (right hamstring) with 16 points and eight assists, and Sabonis had 14 points, 21 rebounds, and nine assists. Reserve big man Goga Bitadze had 14 points, 10 boards, and three blocks.

The Pacers outrebounded the Hornets 54-36, including 12-7 on the offensive glass, and outscored them 23-7 in second chance points. They had 35 assists on their 58 made field goals and shot 55.2 percent from the floor to go to 21-3 on the season (20-3 in the regular season) when they shoot 50 percent or better from the floor and are now 5-0 on the season when they register at least 35 assists.

Those good vibes did not last long as three nights later, the Pacers playoff hopes blew up in their faces as they went down in D.C. 142-115 to the Wizards, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15 season, ending a string of five straight playoff appearances.

There was no better series of games that displayed how bad the Pacers were on the defensive end then in the four games against the Wizards in 2020-21. In their three matchups during the regular season, they gave up over 130 points, and allowed 74, 96, and 66 points in the paint, getting outscored 236-180 in the paint and 72-35 in fast break points. In the loss in the Play-In game, the Pacers were outscored 72-40 in the paint and gave up over 130 points for the fourth time on the season against the Wizards.

The Pacers waited no time turning the page on 2020-21 that saw them blow 17 fourth quarter leads, and that along having a losing record at home for the first time in over three decades led to firing of Coach Bjorkgren after only one season.

“This was my decision,” Pritchard said on June 4 to fire Bjorkgren. “This was really a tough decision. One that had a lot thought behind it.”

In late June, the Pacers dipped back into their past in hiring Rick Carlisle on June 24 as their next head coach, who stepped down after being the lead man on the Mavericks sidelines the last 13 seasons seven days prior.

Coach Carlisle will be in hist second go-around with the Pacers, where he compiled 181-147 (.552 winning percentage) mark with the Pacers from 2003-07, leading the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season in 2003-04, where they lost to the Pistons.

With the Mavericks, Coach Carlisle compiled a 555-478 mark (.537 winning percentage), leading them to nine playoff appearances in his 13 seasons, including their first title in 2011, defeating the Heat in six games.

“My goal with this group is to develop it to a point where we take great joy in getting good shots on the offensive end and take great joy in playing good defense,” Coach Carlisle said on June 30.

In the draft in late July, the Pacers selected guard Chris Duarte from Dominican Republic and out of the University of Oregon, where averaged 17.1 point and 4.6 rebounds in 2020-21 for the Ducks on 50 percent from the field, over 42 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the foul line in earning the AP Pac-12 Player of the Year.

Durate, 24, who moved from Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic at age 15 grew up playing baseball as pitcher and centerfielder became inspired to play basketball by watching Celtics All-Star Al Horford.

When he came to the U.S., Durate went to Redemption Christian Academy (2015-17). Then to Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, FL (2017-19) and then Eugene, OR for the next two seasons.

The Pacers are getting a two-way player that has good size for a wing at 6-foot-6 that is versatile. They are also getting a mature person, who told ESPN’s Malika Andrews on draft night he is looking forward to sharing this next chapter of his basketball career with his son Chris, Jr.

“Chris is everything for me,” Chris, Sr. told Andrews after he got drafted. “Since he got here, since he got into my life, he means everything for me and my family. So, I love him and he makes me work harder every day.”

In a draft night trade with the Bucks, the Pacers acquired forward Isaiah Todd (No. 31 overall pick) out of the NBA G League Ignite in exchange for the draft rights to forward Sandro Mamukelashvilli (No. 54 overall pick) from Georgia and out of Seton Hall University, and guard/forward Georgios Kalaitzakis (No. 60 overall pick) from Greece.

In a five-team deal with the Lakers/Wizards/Spurs/Nets, the Pacers acquired the draft rights to forward Isaiah Jackson (No. 22 overall pick) out of the University of Kentucky in exchange for guard Aaron Holiday and the draft rights to Todd.

In free agency, the Pacers in early August re-signed McConnell to a four-year, $35.2 million deal and signed forward Torrey Craig (5.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 48.0 FG%, 36.8 3-Pt.% w/Bucks & Suns) to a two-year, $10 million deal.

In early October, the Pacers traded guard Edmund Sumner and a 2025 Second-Round pick to the Nets. This deal according to ESPN’s Adrian Worjnarowski will free up $2.3 million under the salary cap and put the Pacers $3 million under the luxury tax threshold.

The Pacers before the Oct. 18 deadline signed Brogdon to a two-year, $45 million extension, which will tie him to the Pacers for four years at $90 million.

Of all the moves the Pacers made this off-season, the biggest one in their mind was the addition of Coach Carlisle, and Brogdon told NBATV’s Dennis Scott on Media Day, that he is “extremely excited.”

“He brings the championship pedigree that every organization in this league wants,” Brogdon, entering his third season added. “I think it’s a privilege for us to have him. Just his approach. His professionalism. His experience. His confidence every day that he has in the gym around the team. I think it’s really going to pay off for us.”

Along with turning the Pacers into a better defensive team, which they were in Carlisle’s first stint with the Pacers, he also has to see if he can find the secret sauce of playing Sabonis and Turner together.

Carlisle said back in late June that they are “ways” that he and his coaching staff of former Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce, Jannero Pargo, Ronald Nored and Jenny Boucek, who worked with Coach Carlisle with the Mavericks the last three seasons can mesh Turner’s ability as an “elite rim protector” as a shot blocker and Sabonis ability to do “so many things” on the hardwood.

“I think he’s going to be great for us,” Sabonis, who played for the Lithuanian National team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo said at Media Day about Coach Carlisle. “He’s a coach known for exploiting everyone in their best attributes to the team. So, I feel like he’s going to put us all in the right position to succeed.”

Turner, who said that he made some lifestyle changes as well as changes to his diet to get himself in the best condition possible for the season worked out over the off-season in Dallas, TX with Coach Carlisle said the new approach to making defense a priority “has been great.”

“I want to continue to showcase that I’m a two-way player,” Turner said at Media Day. “I think stretching the floor. Being on the perimeter has its ups and it has a lot of its downs as well… I think he [Coach Carlisle] wants to utilize me more just as a potential offensive threat this year. So, the lob threats sort of things that he mentioned or just use me more in the pick-and-roll in general. So, I think it’s just a matter of fact of me just being more utilized and more involved in the offense, which is what I’ve been seeking for a couple of years now, and I’m looking forward to it.”

It won’t matter though if the Pacers cannot improve at the defensive end, where they ranked No. 16 in opponent’s field goal percentage (46.8 percent) and opponent’s three-point percentage (36.6 percent); No. 17 in rebounding differential at -4.1; and No. 23 in block shots per game at 5.3.

They also have to stay healthy, and they are already starting on the wrong end of that with LeVert dealing with a stress fracture in his back. There is optimism that LeVert will return before the start of the regular season. And Warren is not expected to return from the stress fracture in his foot at the start of the 2021-22 season.

The Pacers have not advanced past the First-Round of the playoffs since reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2014, where they lost to the Heat in six games, having been swept out of the First-Round their last two appearances in 2019 by the Celtics and 2020 by the Heat.

They have their core players still on the roster in Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and T.J. McConnell. Having Caris LeVert on the roster for a full season, and with new energy on the sideline in head coach Rick Carlisle, the Pacers are focused on getting back to the playoffs and making a run.

How far that run goes depends on how healthy they can remain during the regular season, and how much improvement they show at the defensive, while maintaining the growth they showed offensively a season ago.

“The teams that win the most in the NBA are the teams with the best chemistry. The teams that wins the championship every season is the team that’s bonded the best through the course of the season. So, for us, it’s going to be huge getting back on track. Making a run to the playoffs,” Brogdon said to Scott about what the Pacers hope to accomplish this season. “We’ve got to continue to come together, continue to build and establish an identity.”

Best Case Scenario: The Pacers are fighting for home court advantage in the East. Sabonis is an All-Star for the third straight season. The Pacers become a middle of the pack defense. They stay healthy. They advance past the First-Round of the playoffs.

Worst Case Scenario: The Pacers have to make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. The Pacers continue to struggle defensively. They struggle again with injuries.

Grade: B

Miami Heat: 40-32 (2^nd Southeast Division; No. 6 Seed in East) 21-15 at home, 19-17 on the road. Lost to No. 3 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks 4-0 in East Quarterfinals.

-108.1 ppg-25^th; opp. ppg: 107.6-4^th; 41.5 rpg-29^th

After reaching The Finals in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL Injuries and issues with health and safety protocols put the Heat off to a slow start in 2020-21, which they fought back from to make the playoffs and were swept by the eventual NBA champions 4-0. them out in a four-game sweep. With some new additions, including a perennial All-Star floor general who is two years removed from winning his first title and a key player that was on the team that took them out in First-Round a season ago The re-signing their dynamic sharp-shooter and extending their All-Star swingman, the challenge for the Heat is to put get back to the championship round and win it all.

The Heat began 2020-21 11-17 as injuries and a Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak amongst the team got them off to a tough start.

After three straight losses to begin their West Coast road trip in the middle of February, head coach Erik Spoelstra’s squad bounced back with a 11-1 mark their next 12 games, which included a six-game winning streak from Feb. 18-Mar. 2 and then a five-game winning streak from Mar. 4-16. They then bounced back from a six-game losing streak from Mar. 17-26 that had them at 22-24 to go 18-8 to close out the regular season, which included an 8-2 mark their final 10 games of the regular season.

When the Heat made their run to The Finals in the restart in Orlando, FL the previous season, the headliners were there All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

While their impact was not like it was in 2019-20 at the start of the season, Butler (21.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg-career-high, 7.1 apg-career-high, 2.1 spg-Led NBA, 49.7 FG%-career-high) and Adebayo (18.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 5.4 apg-career-high, 57.0 FG%) picked things up as the season went on to establish career numbers at or near career numbers in 2020-21.

In fact, there was no bigger barometer for the Heat’s success a season ago then whether Butler played and the offensive production he had in a game in 2020-21.

Four of his 11 career triple-doubles came a season ago, which tied LeBron James for the most in a single-season in Heat history. The Heat went 24-9 when Butler attempted seven-plus free throws last season. With Butler in the lineup, the Heat went 33-19 and just 7-13 without him due to injury or health and safety protocols, which he missed a 10-game stretch where the Heat went just 2-8.

The Heat set a new single-season record by shooting 79 percent at the charity stripe overtaking the previous record of 78.6 percent from the free throw line in the 1991-92 season.

Two seasons back, Adebayo took his game to another level on both sides of the floor. On offense, he became the Heat’s essentially became the Heat’s second point guard I a lot of ways along with Butler in that they initiated their offensive attack. At the defensive end, Adebayo was a dynamo who displayed a versatility that he could guard multiple positions whether it was in space or in the paint.

In 13 seasons under the leadership of Coach Spoelstra, the Heat finished with a Top 10 defense in nine of those 13 seasons. They finished No. 6 in opponent’s field goal percentage at 45.9 percent and fourth in block shots per game (4.0).

That ability to be special at both ends led to Adebayo registering 33 double-doubles last season after registering 40 double-doubles in 2019-20. Adebayo had three of his five career triple-doubles also in 2019-20.

Most Triple-Doubles In A Season In Heat History
Jimmy Butler: 4 in 2020-21
LeBron James: 4 in 2010-11 and 2012-13
Jimmy Butler: 3 in 2019-20
Bam Adebayo 3 in 2019-20
Hassan Whiteside: 3 in 2015-16
Bam Adebayo: 2 in 2020-21
Dwyane Wade: 2 in 2005-06

What allowed the Heat to make that unprecedented run to The Finals two seasons back is the likes of Tyler Herro Duncan Robinson, and Goran Dragic were special with their ability to shoot, especially from three-point range.

After making his name known as one of the best long-range shooters in “The Association” the previous season, Robinson (13.1 ppg, 43.8 3-Pt.%) continued to display that masterful stroke from the perimeter hitting multiple threes in 25 consecutive games from Mar. 11-Apr. 26 and had a streak of making at least one three-pointer in 48 consecutive games from Feb. 11 to the end of the regular season.

In the Heat’s 106-101 win versus the Bulls on Apr. 24, Robinson hit multiple three-pointer for the 25^th straight game, breaking his own team record of 24 straight games making multiple three-pointers.

His 6/9 performance from three-point range on his way to 20 points in the Heat’s blowout 124-107 win at the Cavaliers on May 1 made Robinson the fastest to make 500 career threes in NBA history at 152 career games, shattering the mark previously held by All-Star guard Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers.

What has allowed Robinson to be in position to reach this NBA milestone is the fact that he has been available as he became a season ago the first player to play in every game in the regular season in back-to-back seasons in franchise history.

As a rookie, Herro, the No. 13 pick in the 2019 draft appeared to have taken a step forward in his sophomore season in the NBA.

Last season though, Herro (15.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 36.0 3-Pt.%) was not the difference maker that he was in the restart. He won games for the Heat especially in the 2020 Playoffs in his rookie season with his ability to strike a match from the perimeter. Last season, Herro because of injury and being in health and safety protocols missed 18 games a season ago and when he did play did not have the same kind of impact.

In hoping to find that spark the Heat had two seasons back, lead executive in Hall of Famer Pat Riley and the Heat front office acquired veteran forward Trevor Ariza from the Thunder in exchange for Meyers Leonard and a 2027 Second-Round pick.

At the Mar. 25 trade deadline, the Heat acquired sharp shooting forward/center Nemanja Bjelica in exchange for forwards Maurice Harkless and Chris Silva. In a deal with the Rockets, the Heat acquired two-time All-Star guard Victory Oladipo in exchange for Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, and a 2022 draft pick swap.

Oladipo (19.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.6 apg) only managed to play four games for the Heat as he injured his right knee in the Heat’s 110-104 win on Apr. 8 versus Lakers on TNT and missed the final 23 games of the regular season.

Drawing the Bucks again in the 2021 Playoffs, the Heat entered confident that they could take them down like they did the year before.

After a close loss at the Bucks in Game 1 (109-107) in overtime. While they set the franchise record for made three-pointers in a playoff game in franchise history, they only managed to go just 16/49 (32.7 percent) from two-point range.

While the Heat got 24 points hitting a franchise-record tying seven triples in a playoff game, Butler had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, but went just 4/22 shooting, and Adebayo had just nine points on 4/15 from the field with 12 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

The Heat had one of their worst performances in their playoff history as they were blown out at the Bucks 132-98 in Game 2, suffering their second largest margin of defeat in their playoff history at 34 points. They went just 8/28 from three-point range and gave up a franchise playoff record 78 points to the Bucks in first half.

That was followed by the worst home loss at home in franchise playoff history as the Heat lost Game 3 versus the Bucks by 29 points (113-84), to trail the series 3-0. For the third time this season lost to the Bucks by 29 points or more.

Offensively, the Heat managed just eight points the first nine minutes of Game 3, their fewest to open a game since August 2020, and their fewest to open a game at home since Nov. 14, 2018.

The Heat came out like gang buster in Game 4 leading by as many as 12 points in the opening-half. But were outscored 63-39 in the second half and in the 120-103 loss as their reign as defending Eastern Conference champions concluded with a four-game sweep in the opening-round. Adebayo had in the loss 20 points and 14 rebounds on 10/17 shooting, and Butler had a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but was just 4/15 from the field.

After shooting 52.2 percent from the field (24/46), including 7/16 from three-point range, and only being down by four on the glass (25-21), the Heat only shot 35.6 percent in the second half (16/45), going 4/17 from three-point range; were a -12 on the boards (31-19).

The Heat were outscored 34-21 in the third quarter, going 8/24 shooting, including 3/10 from three-point range, and getting outrebounded 20-9 in suffering their 5^th postseason sweep in franchise history, their first since falling 4-0 in the 2007 opening-round against the Bulls. They joined the 2011 Mavericks and 2007 Heat squad as the three conference champions to get swept in the First-Round since 1984 after reaching The Finals the previous season.

Heat Shooting From The Field The Last Two Postseasons

2020                   2021
49%    Butler    30%
56% Adebayo 46%
43%   Herro      32%
43% Robinson 38%

To put into context the offensive struggles the Heat had in their series against the Bucks, Butler for the first time since the 2014 Playoffs with the Bulls did not register a single game of at least 20 points. Robinson after going 7/13 from three-point range in Game 1, went 3/14 from long range the rest of the series. Herro only shot 6/19 from three-point range against the Bucks in the four-game sweep.

With no picks in the 2021 draft to upgrade the roster, the Heat in trying to upgrade the roster in a trade with the Raptors acquired via sign-and-trade six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry (17.2 ppg, 7.3 apg, 5.4 rpg, 39.6 3-Pt.% w/Raptors), on a three-year, $85 million deal in exchange for All-Star guard Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa.

The Heat added two more recent champions to their roster with the signings of forward Markieff Morris (6.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg w/Lakers), who was on that Laker team that took down the Heat in the 2020 Finals to a one-year, $1.6 million, and P.J. Tucker, helped the Bucks win their first title in 50 years to a two-year, $15 million deal.

They re-signed Robinson to a five-year, $90 million deal. Re-signed guard Max Strus (6.1 ppg, 45.5 FG%) to a two-year, $3.5 million deal, and Oladipo to a one-year, $2.4 million deal.

Lowry in his Media Day Zoom interview with NBATV’s Matt Winer, Stan Van Gundy, and Brendan Haywood that he wanted to join the Heat because he felt that they would provide him with the best shot to win another title.

“I think the organization, the coaching down here, it’s really championship of bust,” Lowry, 35, entering his 16^th NBA season said. “Pat Riley believes that if you’re not playing for a championship, what are you playing for?”

“And at this point in my career, fortunately, I got paid very well. But I’m also trying to win more championships, you know. And trying to get back to the ultimate high that you’re chasing once you get one.”

The Heat also hope that Lowry’s addition can improve their offensive production, which was at the bottom of the league in the regular season, where they finished just 15^th in field goal percentage (46.8 percent); 19^th in three-point percentage (35.8 percent); and were just No. 21 in free throw attempts at 21.1 per game in 2020-21.

Besides being a connector at the offensive end, Lowry as well as Tucker and Morris will provide more versatility at the defensive end with their ability to guard multiple positions and to switch on pick-and-rolls.

More than anything, Lowry will provide leadership to where he will be himself but within the concept that this is Butler’s team and that the Heat as a whole approach to leading not holding back one’s feelings when something needs to be said.

“I’m coming in here and kind of just being me,” Lowry said, adding, “and that’s taking some leadership responsibilities. But at the same time, finding understanding of what players need? What the team needs? What can I do to help Jimmy get to the next level? What can I do to help Bam to the next level?”

Lowry also said that he plans on leading in a way where he can calm Butler and Udonis Haslem, who is basically an assistant coach more than a player now, who when things are not going right on the floor have no problem getting after their teammates and letting them know that the issue needs to be corrected at that moment.

Getting to that next level should come this season for Adebayo after helping lead Team USA to Gold at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Also, his five-year, $163 million contract extension he signed in late November 2020 kicks in this season.

Butler on Media Day told NBATV’s Dennis Scott called Adebayo “incredible.” That he is all about “winning” and he will do whatever is necessary his team and whatever team he is on to win. That it was “good” for Adebayo to add to the Team USA Basketball legacy because he is a “hell of a player.”

At Media Day, Adebayo said that his biggest take away from his Olympic experience was “the level of confidence” that everyone from his teammates to the coaching staff walked around with and knowing what the mission was at hand that needed to be accomplished.

“I feel like everybody walks around with that type of mentality. That type of character, you know, we’ve got a chance to be a great team,” Adebayo added.

One player who looking forward to this season is Herro, who said to the Miami Herald that he’s ready for a “bounce back” this upcoming season. That he had a lot of “expectations” coming into 2020-21 and that some people are “sleeping” on him, and that he plans on “waking” them up like he did back in the restart in Orlando.

When the Heat traded for Oladipo at the trade deadline, they hoped he would provide another scorer and playmaker to go alongside Butler and Adebayo. There is no guarantee of when he will return to the court as he tries to battle back from another injury to his leg.

“It’s been really tough, you know, It’s been hard,” Oladipo said at Heat Media Day on having to rehab from another knee injury. “I feel like, you know, God puts us his toughest soldiers through the toughest of battles. So, for me, this is another battle in the books for me. I just want to show my resiliency if given the opportunity and have one of the best comeback stories ever.”

Two years ago, the Miami Heat made an unprecedented run to The Finals, where they lost in six games to the Lakers. This past late spring, the eventual NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks ended their reign as Eastern Conference champions in an opening-round four-game sweep.

With the additions of recent NBA champions in Kyle Lowry, P.J. Tucker, and Markieff Morris, and re-signing Duncan Robinson, the Heat feel they have upgraded the roster to where they have right combination that can play to the level on both ends of the floor that can get them back to The Finals and win it all.

They also have one of the best leaders on the sidelines in “The Association” in Erik Spoelstra, who is entering his 13^th NBA season, with three championships to his credit, two of them as the Heat’s head coach.

“We have experienced, high IQ players that enjoy sharing the ball, which we do,” Coach Spoelstra, said on Oct. 6 after practice. “Everybody wants to see guys play well. That’s a good quality to have for our team.”

Butler echoed that same sentiment saying to Scott that the Heat’s success will depend on staying injury and COVID free.

“Play our best basketball. Stay healthy. Play together, and I don’t think anybody’s going to say it any differently. But we’re expected to win a championship

Best Case Scenario: The Heat are competing for a Top 3 Seed in East. Butler, Adebayo, and Lowry make the All-Star team. Adebayo makes one of two All-Defensive teams. Herro and Robinson shoot like they did in the 2020 restart, especially from three-point range. The Heat are in the Conference Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Heat deal with injuries to key personnel again and have another early postseason exit.

Grade: A

Milwaukee Bucks: 46-26 (1^stCentral Division; No. 3 Seed in East); 26-10 at home, 20-16 on the road; Defeated the No. 6 Seeded Miami Heat 4-1 in East Quarterfinals; Defeated the No. 2 Seeded Brooklyn Nets 4-3 in East Semifinals; Defeated the No. 5 Seeded Atlanta Hawks 4-2 in Eastern Conference Finals; Defeated the No. 2 Seeded Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.

-120.1 ppg-1^st; opp. ppg: 112.6-19^th; 48.1 rpg-2^nd

They had the best record in “The Association” the last two seasons. They came up short losing in the Conference Finals and in the Semifinals in six and five games respectably. A shift in offensive philosophy, the addition of one of the best two-way guards in “The Association” while maintaining their defensive identity made all the difference for the Milwaukee Bucks a season ago as they made to The Finals and won their second title in franchise history. With their All-Star trio signed for the next few years as well as their head coach getting re-signed this off-season, the challenge for the Milwaukee Bucks in their quest to repeat as NBA champions is to maintain the hunger they had the prior two seasons while pacing themselves following the shortest off-season in franchise history.

After falling in the East Finals to the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors and the eventual NBA runner-up the Heat in the East Semis in 2019 and 2020 respectably, the Bucks came into 2020-21 focused on the ultimate prize and not just having the best record in the East let alone the NBA.

Specifically, head coach Mike Budenholzer tweaked the offense to where two-time Kia MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (28.1 ppg-5^th NBA, 11.0 rpg-8^th NBA, 5.9 apg, 56.9 FG%) went from being the focal point at the top of three-point line to mixing it up where they got him the basketball from the low-post or at either elbow in the half court.

With the acquisition of All-Star floor general Jrue Holiday (17.7 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.5 rpg, 50.3 FG%-career-high, 39.2 3-Pt.%) and fellow All-Star Khris Middleton (20.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.4 apg, 47.6 FG%, 41.4 3-Pt.%), the Bucks initiated their offense through them.

To put the impact that Holiday had in his first season with the Bucks, they went 41-18 with him in the lineup averaging 121.1 points on 49.2 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from three-point range on 26.1 assists. Without Holiday, the Bucks were just 5-8 averaging 115.6 points on 46.8 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three-point range on 22.7 assists.

In early April, the Bucks front office signed Holiday to a four-year, $135 million contract extension with bonuses that could take the deal to $160 million. The deal also includes a player option in the fourth and final year of the deal.

While this shift in offensive philosophy had its ups and downs in the early part of 2020-21, the Bucks became a lot less predictable and more potent offensively while continuing to be one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.

We saw starting center Brook Lopez (12.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 50.3 FG%), get more opportunities to score in the post instead of just being primarily a three-point shooter. New addition Bobby Portis (11.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 52.3 FG%, 47.1 3-Pt.%) gave the Bucks another shooter and a guy who brought energy on both ends when he came into the game. His 74 total made three-pointers in 2020-21 were the second most in a season of his career.

In his third NBA season, starting guard Donte DiVincenzo showed great improvement in with career-highs of 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds on 37.9 percent from three-point range. Reserve Pat Connaughton (6.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 37.1 3-Pt.%) also had a solid season also providing energy and outside shooting off the bench.

To put into context how the shift in offensive philosophy helped the Bucks in 2020-21, their 120.1 scoring average was their highest scoring average for a single season in franchise history. They set a single season franchise record scoring 120 points or more 41 times. A big part of that high scoring average came from their average of 14.5 fast break points in, which was No. 4 in the league. The Bucks also ranked fifth in the NBA last season shooting 38.9 percent from three-point range.

Highest Scoring Average For Single In Bucks History
120.1 PPG in 2020-21
118.8 PPG in 2019-20
118.4 PPG in 1970-71
118.1 PPG in 2018-19

The new emphasis on being more balances offensively is what made Antetokounmpo even better. He registered 25 games scoring 30 points or more, which was tied for 5^th NBA, and ranked fifth in the league with five games scoring 40 or more. His 16.7 points in the paint in 2020-21 was No. 2 in the NBA.

While the Bucks improved how their offensive philosophy, they continued to be one of the league’s top defensive teams ranking No. 5 in opponent’s field goal percentage (45.6 percent); a had rebounding differential of +4.6; and ranked No. 6 in steals (7.0). They went 11-0 in the regular season when holding opponents under 100 points

After a 16-13 start, which included a five-game losing streak from Feb. 10-18, the Bucks won five in a row from Feb. 19 to Mar. 2. They finished the regular season going 30-13 after a 16-13 start to the season.

To make that defense even more potent, the Bucks acquired before the Mar. 25 NBA trade deadline veteran forward P.J. Tucker from the Rockets along with a 2021 Second-Round pick swap.

To make sure they were as healthy as possible for a long playoff run, the Bucks rested any of their top players who had any kind of ailment.

Games Missed By Key Bucks Players In 2020-21
Jrue Holiday missed 13 games
Giannis Antetokounmpo missed 11 games
Bobby Portis missed six games
Donte DiVincenzo missed six games
Khris Middleton missed four games
Pat Connaughton missed three games

The Bucks went 5-5 during a 10-game stretch from Feb. 8-25 without Holiday in the lineup due to health and safety protocols.

Before the Mar. 25 trade deadline, the Bucks acquired from veteran forward P.J. Tucker from the Rockets as well as Rodions Kurucs, a 2021 Second Round pick swap and a 2022 First-Round pick in exchange for guard D.J. Augustin, forward D.J. Wilson, a 2021 First-Round pick swap (Top 9 protected), and a 2023 First-Round pick.

They also added depth behind Holiday with the signing of veteran guard Jeff Teague, who played for Coach Budenholzer when he was the lead man on the Hawks sidelines.

The Bucks began their playoff journey by sweeping their archrivals the Heat 4-0 in the opening-round.

They won Game 1 (109-107) in overtime thanks to a 19-foot game-winning jumper by Middleton with 00.9 seconds left in the extra period, capping a 27-point performance. Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Holiday had 20 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals.

They dominated Game 2, the Bucks dominated the Heat (132-98), hitting a single-game franchise playoff record of 22 threes, going 22/53 from three-point range, including 10/15 from distance in the opening period. They outscored the Heat 25-9 in fastbreak points and registered 61 bench points.

The Bucks led 46-20 after the opening period, with their 46-point first quarter setting the second most points in the opening period in NBA playoff history. Their 26-point lead after the first quarter tied for the largest margin after in NBA Playoff history. Antetokounmpo led the way with 31 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Holiday had 11 points, 15 assists, and seven rebounds.

The Bucks continued their dominant play on the Heat’s home court with a 113-84 win in Game 3 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, leading by as many as 32 points. They outrebounded the Heat 55-42.

They took control of the game by outscoring the Heat 37-24 in the third quarter with Holiday (19 points and 12 assists) accounted for 20 of Bucks 37 points in third quarter.

The Bucks though in Game 3 lost DiVincenzo for the remainder of the playoffs in the victory due to what was revealed to be a torn ligament in his left.

The Bucks won Game 4 120-103 completed the four-game sweep of the Heat in the First-Round by overcoming a 12-point first half deficit, outscoring the Heat 63-39 in the second half, which included a 24-6 run to close the third quarter.

Antetokounmpo in helping the Bucks to their 5^th ever sweep in a best-of-seven playoff series had his first career playoff triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists.

Triple-Doubles In Bucks Playoff History

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970
Paul Pressey in 1986
Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021

The Bucks momentum was halted to start the East Semis falling in Game 1 (115-107), and the Game 2 (125-86) at the Nets. While they at +24 in points in the paint (72-48) and outrebounded the Nets 58-47, the Bucks shot 6/30 from three-point range.

The Bucks were a +14 in paint points (52-38) in Game 2 but lost due to going 8/27 three-point range 39-point loss in Game 2, their second largest margin of defeat in their postseason history and for only the fifth time all season they were held under 100 points.

The Bucks big three stepped back in Milwaukee taking Games 3 (won 86-83) and 4 (107-96) to tie the series at 2-2.

Middleton led the way in Game 3 scoring 15 of his 35 points in the first quarter, to go along with a playoff career-high 15 rebounds on 12/25 shooting. Antetokounmpo had 33 points and 14 rebounds on 14/31 shooting from Antetokounmpo.

Holiday, while he had just nine points and five assists on 4/14 shooting scored on a fastbreak layup that that put the Bucks up 84-83. The 6-0 run to close Game 3 was capped by two free throws by Middleton that put the Bucks up 86-83 with 02.1 seconds left.

The deciding factor in Game 4 was that the Bucks outscored the Nets 26-6 in transition going 11/15 shooting, including 3/7 from three-point range with 0 turnovers, and held the Nets to 3/12 from the field, including 0/3 from three-point range in transition.

The Bucks lost Game 5 (114-108) at the Nets as they lost an early 15-point lead, getting outscored 33-21 in the fourth quarter, shooting just 9/21 from the floor, including 1/6 from three-point range.

They staved off elimination by winning Game 6 (104-89) leading wire-to-wire, up by as many as 21 points. Middleton led the way with a playoff career-high 38 points with 10 rebounds, five assists, five steals on 11/16 from the field, including 5/8 from three-point range and 11/12 from foul line. Antetokounmpo had 30 points and 17 boards, while Holiday had 21 points, eight boards, five assists, and four steals.

The Bucks got the better of the Nets at the foul line going 23/28, while the visitors went just 8/14. The Bucks also outrebounded the Nets 51-39 and forced 16 turnovers (Bucks 12 steals).

Players To Register 35 Points, 10 Rebounds, Five Assists, And Five Steals In a Single-Playoff Game In NBA History

Khris Middleton (MIL) in 2021
Jimmy Butler (MIA) happened in 2020
Gary Payton in 2000 w/Seattle Supersonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder)
Patrick Ewing in 1990
Michael Jordan in 1989

In an epic Game 7, the Bucks overcame an early double-digit deficit and caught a lucky break in the final seconds of regulation when the game-winning three-pointer by Nets’ Kevin Durant was called a two-point field goal because he had his left foot on the three-point line.

The Bucks outscored the Nets 6-2 in the extra frame, capped by the go-ahead jumper with 40.1 seconds left in overtime by Middleton, who had 23 points, 10 boards, six assists, and five steals. Antetokounmpo had 40 points, 13 boards and five assists.

Players With 40-Plus Points and 10-Plus Rebounds In Game 7 NBA Playoff History

Elgin Baylor in 1962
Jerry West in 1969
Charles Barkley in 1993
Tim Duncan 2006
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) in 2021

In the Conference Finals against the Hawks, the Bucks lost Game 1 (116-113), their first home loss of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, and snapping our 13-game home winning streak dating back the regular season. While Antetokounmpo had 34 points, with 12 points coming in the fourth quarter with 12 rebounds, and nine assists, Middleton had just 15 points on 6/23 shooting, including 0/9 from three-point range, with his final miss the final seconds of regulation that could have tied the score.

They won Game 2 (125-91) to tie the series 1-1 as they outscored the Hawks 43-17 in the second quarter to blow the game wide open where they led by as many as 41 points. They also outscored the Hawks 62-30 in the paint; 27-12 in fast break points; went 15/41 from three-point range; had 29 assists and registered 14 steals.

Bucks won Game 3 at the Hawks (113-102) to take a 2-1 series lead led by Middleton, who scored 20 of his playoff career-high tying 38 points in the fourth quarter, adding 11 rebounds and seven assists on 15/26 from the field, including 6/12 from three-point range. Middleton went 8/12 shooting, including 4/6 from three-point range in the fourth quarter. Antetokounmpo had 33 points and 11 rebounds on 13/21 shooting.

The Bucks not only lost Game 4 (110-88) at Hawks, which tied series 2-2 but they lost Antetokounmpo to a hyperextended left knee in middle of third quarter.

In Game 5, the Bucks without Antetokounmpo dominated the Hawks winning 123-112 behind the playoff career-high 33 points from Lopez with seven boards and four block shots, scoring 26 of those 33 points in paint. Middleton had 26 points, 13 boards, eight assists. Holiday had 25 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds, while Portis had a playoff career-high 22 points with eight boards.

Bucks outscored Hawks 66-36 in the paint and outscored the Hawks starters 111-78 as they had four starters score 20 points or more in the same playoff game for the first time since 1988.

The Bucks closed out the series in Game 6 (118-107) at the Hawks to earn their third trip to the NBA Finals in franchise history.

Middleton led the way scoring 23 of his 32 points in the third quarter, going 10/22 shooting, hitting four threes. Holiday had 27 points, nine assists, nine rebounds, four steals and two block, going 11/23 shooting, also hitting four threes.

The Bucks behind Middleton outscored the Hawks 44-29 in third quarter going 15/27 from the floor, going 15/27 shooting, including 9/18 from three-point range.

In the 2021 Finals, the Bucks dropped the first two games at the Phoenix Suns (118-105 loss Game 1; 118-108 in Game 2) but got Antetokounmpo back from a hyperextended left knee as he registered a double-double of 20 points and 17 rebounds in Game 1, and 42 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks in Game 2.

The Bucks in Game 1 got in a 20-point hole but cut the deficit to seven 101-94 midway through the fourth quarter but got no closer.

The Bucks got back on track winning Game 3 (120-100) as they outscored the Suns 35-17 in the second quarter and used runs of 30-9 and 16-0 to close the second and third quarters respectably to maintain control. Antetokounmpo registered 41 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Holiday had 21 points, nine assists, and five boards, going 5/10 from three-point range.

The Bucks used their dynamic trio as well as a dominant fourth quarter on both ends to win Game 4 109-103 and tie The Finals at 2-2.

Middleton led the way scoring 14 of his playoff career-high 40 points in the fourth quarter, going 15/33 shooting. Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks, on 11/19 from the floor. Holiday had 13 points, seven assists, seven boards, and three steals.

Bucks outscored the Suns 33-21 in the fourth quarter, including 10-4 to close the game that was capped by a Middleton jumper with 1:28 left in regulation. They out-rebounding the Suns 18-8, including 5-1 on the offensive glass. Scored 24 points of 17 Suns turnovers in Game 4, registering 11 steals and outscored them 15-0 in fast break points and 29-7 in second chance points.

After falling behind 37-21 after the first quarter of Game 5, the Bucks outscored the Suns 102-82 the final three quarters, including43-24 in the second quarter, and they capped the comeback on a steal by Holiday on Suns’ Devin Booker and threw a perfect lob pass to Antetokounmpo who scored and was fouled. On Antetokounmpo’s miss at the foul line, the Bucks grabbed the offensive rebound and Middleton split a pair of free throws that sealed the come-from-behind win.

Antetokounmpo (32 points, nine rebounds, six assists, 14/22 FGs), Middleton (29 points, seven rebounds, five assists, 12/23 FGs), and Holiday (27 points, 13 assists, three steals, 12/20 FGs), combined for 88 points on 38/66 shooting becoming the fifth trio to score 25 points each on 50 percent shooting in a Finals game.

Trios To Score 25-Plus Points Each on 50 Percent Shooting In A Game In NBA Finals History

Celtics in 1962: Hall of Famers Tom Heinsohn (30 points), Sam Jones (26 points), and Bill Russell (26 points)

Lakers in 1969: Jerry West (41 points), Elgin Baylor (32 points), and Johnny Egan (26 points)

Celtics in 1985: Kevin McHale (28 points), Dennis Johnson (27 points), Larry Bird (26 points)

Lakers in 1985: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (36 points), James Worthy (33 points), and Earvin “Magic” Johnson (26 points)

Bucks in 2021: Giannis Antetokounmpo (32 points), Khris Middleton (29 points), and Jrue Holiday (27 points)

The Bucks finished their mission in Game 6 as they outscored the Suns 63-51 in the second half, including 28-21 in the fourth quarter winning to win the series 4-2, and captured their second title in franchise history. Antetokounmpo dominated scoring 33 of his playoff career-high 50 points in the second half with 14 rebounds and five block shots going 16/25 from the field and 17/19 at the foul line. He had 20 of those 50 points in the third quarter on his way to winning Finals MVP thanks to averages of 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and five assists in 2021 Finals.

He joined Hall of Famers and NBA champions Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players in NBA history to win Kia MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in their respective careers.

Middleton, who had 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals hit the title sealing jumper that capped a 7-2 finish to the contest, to give the Bucks their first since Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led them to the promise land in 1971.

While the Bucks did not have to scrap, scratch, and claw like in past summers in their chase for a title, they did rest on their huge accomplishment this off-season.

On draft night in late July, the Bucks traded the draft rights to forward Isaiah Todd (No. 31 overall pick) from the NBA G League’s Ignite to the Pacers in exchange for the draft rights to forward Sandro Mamukelashvilli (No. 54 overall pick) from Georgia and out of Seton Hall University and forward Georgios Kalaitzakis (No. 60 overall pick) from Greece and future Second-Round pick.

In the offseason, the Bucks re-signed Portis to a two-year, $9 million deal. In trying to replace Tucker, and Bryn Forbes, they signed forward Semi Ojeleye and swingman Rodney Hood to a one-year deals worth $1.6 million deal. They also signed veteran guard George Hill to a two-year, $8 million deal to. In a trade with the Grizzlies, the Bucks acquired sharp-shooter Grayson Allen (10.6 ppg-career-high, 39.1 3-Pt.% w/Grizzlies.

Hill, who played for the Bucks from 2018-2020 will bring back a steadiness as well as sharp-shooting that departed Milwaukee when Bryn Forbes left in free agency in the off-season to return to the Spurs, while Tucker to his defensive toughness and corner three-point accuracy down to South Beach.

The Bucks hope that Ojeleye, Hood, and Allen can provide the perimeter shooting that made the Bucks such a potent offensive force in recent seasons, but not so much during their playoff run to their aforementioned second straight title.

The additions of Hood and Allen, who both went to Duke University and play for Hall of Famer Coach Mike Krzyzewski will be under the microscope at the start of 2021-22 with DiVincenzo still on the mend recovering from an aforementioned torn ligament in his left ankle.

“The only thing on my mind is to just to try to learn as quickly as possible,” Allen said about what he wants to accomplish at the start of this season for the Bucks. “I have a little bit of an advantage of playing coming from playing for Coach [Taylor] Jenkins. All the terminology is exactly the same at least from what I know so far…I think that will help me get adjusted quicker.”

“It’s a nice luxury to be able to play with so many great players on a defending championship team. But that comes with an adjustment. So, the only thing on my mind is learn that as quickly as possible and get it going.”

Grayson Allen From 2020-2021 With Grizzlies
PPG FG% 3-Pt.%

Pre-hiatus 2020      7.4       44.9%    36.3%
Re-Start 2020       13.6       50.7%    48.0%
February 2021     13.1       46.1%     48.1%

Hood said that he along with Allen want to “add” to the Bucks quest to win a second straight Larry O’Brien trophy.

“We want to win a championship ourselves,” Hood said at Media Day. “I think it’s going to be fun. It’s a great group of guys. Great personalities. So, I think it’ll be a good fit for us.”

One person who will be a good fit, having played with the Bucks before is Hill, who will bring not just another stellar marksman from three-point range, but will add veteran savvy and leadership to a second unit that was No. 19 in bench scoring a season ago at 34.8.

“Just another layer of leadership. Experience off the bench or starting, which ever one he does,” Middleton said at Media Day in late September to Bucks sideline reporter for Bally Sports Wisconsin Zora Stephenson on what Hill will add to the team this season. “He’s a guy that we’re extremely happy to be back, you know. He’s a huge part of our team both on and off the court before he left. So, everybody’s ecstatic to have him back with us this year.”

They There are a lot of teams that enter the next season after winning a title with a sense of relief that they managed to climb to the top of the mountain of their respective sport. They do not come in with the same hunger and determination.

For the Bucks, they enter this quest to repeat as champions in 2021-22 led by a player in Antetokounmpo, just age 26 old and still hungry to get better individually, but the team to improve more success.

They also have Antetokounmpo under contract over the next few seasons as he signed a five-year, $228.2 million extension, with a player option in 2025. Middleton is in the middle of a five-year, $178 million deal, with a player option in 2023 and Holiday as previously mentioned signed a four-years, $135 million deal that could go as high with incentives reached of $160 million.

At Media Day, Antetokounmpo, who registered 18 double-doubles in 2021 playoffs said that he is a “people pleaser.” That he always likes to have the confidence of his coaches, teammates, and his growing family where he and his mate now have one child and one on the way. But he added that you have to “figure out” what you want as an individual.

“And right now, what I want is to get better,” Antetokounmpo, who averaged 30.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists on 56.9 percent shooting in 2021 Playoffs added about his motivation for the upcoming season. “I don’t care about trophies. I don’t care about the MVPs. I don’t care about the Defensive Player of the Year. All those things, I don’t care [about]. I care about getting better because I know that if I do that, more things come with that. And that’s what I’ve done my whole career, and that’s how I’m in this position.”

The Bucks other key player in Middleton, who helped Team USA who along with Holiday capture another Gold medal at this summer’s Olympic games in Tokyo is also focused on continuing to improve his individually game, which will benefit the team and improve their chances of winning another title.

“It’s always just everything,” Middleton said to Bucks sideline reporter for Bally Sports Wisconsin Zora Stephenson about what he worked on this summer in terms of his game. “Don’t just focus on one thing. Try to expand your game in all areas the best you can without letting one area weaken. I think that’s the most important thing for myself is try to cover all areas of the basketball court so I can continue to be versatile in different ways.”

The most significant piece of off-season business the Bucks handled was re-signing head coach Mike Budenholzer to a three-year contract extension, which will keep him on the Bucks sidelines through the 2024-25 season.

If there is anyone who knows what it means to enter a season as defending champion is Coach Budenholzer, who was a part of four of the five titles the Spurs won (1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007) but never repeated.

“Unfortunately, San Antonio was never able to repeat,” Budenholzer, who was on head coach Gregg Popovich’s staff from 1996-2013 said jokingly at Media Day. “Hopefully we can break that code.”

For two years, the Bucks worked and worked their way to becoming NBA champions and achieved their ultimate goal last season.

Their quest to repeat will not be easy, especially with the fact that only three since 2002 have repeated as NBA champion (Lakers 2009 and 2010; Heat 2012 and 2013; and Warriors of 2017 and 2018). On top of that, the Eastern Conference has gotten better from top to bottom and the Western Conference is as loaded as ever.

“Are we satisfied? I’m not satisfied. I’m not even close to being satisfied,” Antetokounmpo said.

Coach Budenholzer added, “Physically it may take some time. But we have great competitors, and when you have that, you can sleep and know that great competitors can fight human nature and what might be complacency. They don’t like anything but winning.”

Bucks General Manager Jon Horst, who was signed to a multi-year contract extension earlier in the week said on the Bucks quest to repeat, “Are we aware that we are NBA champions? Yes.”

“Have we changed our mindset to get better every day, to try to build something where we can sustain success for the next four, five, six years to extend this run that’s been three or four years long already? I think that absolutely exists from the top down, and we’re all motivated.”

Best Case Scenario: The Bucks are Top 3 Seed again. Antetokounmpo is in the running for his third Kia MVP. Antetokounmpo and Middleton are All-Star again. The Bucks repeat as champions.

Worst Case Scenario: The Bucks reign as NBA champions ends short of reaching The Finals.

Grade: B-

New York Knicks: 41-31 (3^rd Atlantic Division; No. 4 Seed in East); 25-11 at home, 16-20 on the road; Lost to No. 5 Seeded Atlanta Hawks 4-1 in the East Quarterfinals.

-107.0 ppg-26^th; opp. ppg: 105.0-1^st; 45.1 rpg-9^th

After a seven-year playoff drought, the New York Knicks made it back to the playoffs behind the best leadership they have had on their sidelines, who brought a philosophy that made the Knicks contenders in the 1990s. By career-year by a player who earned the respect of those frustrated fans of New York; stellar play from their First-Round pick and by a former Kia MVP, who was acquired at the late March trade deadline and from a second-year player whose shooting stroke did a complete 180 degree turn from his rookie season. With the addition of two top notch perimeter scorers including a four-time All-Star. Their All-Star getting a contract extension and a fanbase whose expectations are extremely high for 2021-22, the challenge for the Knicks is to play at the same level whne you are expected to win.

The Knicks resurgence back to NBA relevance began on Mar. 2, 2020 as they named long time sports agent Leon Rose Knicks’ President of Basketball Operations. While keeping Scott Perry on as their GM and naming William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley as Knicks’ new Executive Vice President.

On July 30, 2020, the Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau as the 31^st head coach in franchise history.

From the moment Coach Thibodeau into the Knicks organization, so did a different vibe. From the focus they played with on a game-in and game-out basis to how hard they played with at the defensive end. It brought back memories of the Knicks played in the 1990s under Pat Riley.

To put this into context the Knicks went from ranking 18^th (112.3), 17^th (46.3 percent) and 28^th (38.1 percent) in opponent’s points, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage in 2019-20 respectably to ranking No. 1 in opponent’s points (105.0), field goal percentage (44.0 percent) and three-point percentage respectably (33.7 percent). The last team to finish No. 1 in those three defensive categories was the 1992-93 Knicks squad led by the aforementioned Riley, Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, the late Anthony Mason, John Starks, current 76ers head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers, and NBATV’s Greg Anthony.

During the regular season, the Knicks went 20-4 when holding opponents under 100 points and were just 21-27 when allowing 100 points or more a season ago.

Five separate three-game winning streaks which had the Knicks at a mark of 24-22, showed that they were gaining traction under Coach Thibodeau. Going 1-5 their next six games, which included a three-game losing streak from Mar. 29-Apr. 2 dropped the Knicks to two games under .500 at 25-27. They kicked it into high gear closing the season going 16-4 to close the regular season, which included a nine-game winning streak from Apr. 9-26, their second longest winning streak since 1999-2000 season.

Longest Knicks Winning Streaks Since 1999-2000 Season
13 straight wins in 2013
9 straight wins in 2021
9 straight wins in 2012
8 straight wins in 2014
8 straight wins in 2010

That improvement defensively which led to a 22-win improvement the season before led to Coach Thibodeau being named Kia Coach of the Year, joining the late Cotton Fitzsimmons as the two head coaches in NBA history to be named Coach of the Year in their first season with two different franchises.

Coaches To Win NBA Coach of The Year With Multiple Franchises

Tom Thibodeau (NYK): 2010-11 with Bulls and 2020-21 with Knicks
Mike Budenholzer (MIL): 2014-15 with Hawks, 2018-19 with Bucks
Mike D’Antoni: 2004-05 with Suns and 2016-17 with Rockets
Don Nelson:1982-83 with Warriors, 1984-85 with Bucks, and 1991-92 with Warriors
Pat Riley: 1989-90 with Lakers, 1992-93 with Knicks, and 1996-97 with Heat
Bill Fitch: 1975-76 with Cavaliers and 1979-80 with Celtics
Hubie Brown: 1977-78 with Hawks and 2003-04 with Grizzlies
Cotton Fitzsimmons: 1978-79 with Kansas City (now Sacramento) Kings and 1988-89 with Suns

The other reason the Knicks got back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013 was the play of the 2020-21 Kia Most Improved Player Julius Randle, who averaged career-highs of 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and six assists on 45.6 percent from the field, and career-highs of 41.1 percent from three-point range and 81.1 percent from the charity stripe, earning him his first All-NBA selection, making the 2020-21 Third team.

Randle became the first player in Knicks’ history to go 20/10/5 (points/rebounds/assists) in a single season, where he registered six of his 12 career triple-doubles, which tied Hall of Famer Richie Guerin for the third most in a single-season in Knicks history. He also joined Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlin, and Larry Bird, along with the Nuggets Nikola Jokic, and newest Laker Russell Westbrook as the six players in NBA history to average 24 points, 10 boards, and six assists for a single season in NBA history.

In the Knicks 118-109 overtime win on May 15 versus the Hornets, Randle had 33 points, 10, rebounds, and 13 assists, making him the first Knick to register a 30-point triple-double since Carmelo Anthony in 2012.

Most Triple-Doubles In Single-Season in Knicks History
Walt “Clyde” Frazier: 8 in 1968-69
Michael Ray Richardson: 7 in 1979-80 and 1981-82
Julius Randle: 6 in 2020-21
Richie Guerin: 6 in 1961-62
Richie Guerin: 5 in 1960-61
Michael Ray Richardson: 4 in 1980-81
Jerry Lucas: 4 in 1972-73
Walt “Clyde” Frazier: 4 1970-71
Mark Jackson: 2 in 1987-88 and 1988-89
Walt “Clyde” Frazier: 2 in 1967-68, 1969-70, 1973-74, and 1974-75
Richie Guerin: 1957-58 and 1959-60

During the Knicks nine-game winning streak, Randle averaged 30.1 points, joining Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing and future Hall of Famer in former Knick Carmelo Anthony as the only players in franchise history to average 30 points during a nine-game winning streak

Players To Average 30 Points During A Winning Streak of 8-Plus In A Season In Knicks History
Julius Randle in 2020-21
Carmelo Anthony in 2012-13
Amar’e Stoudemire in 2010-11
Patrick Ewing in 1992-93
Bernard King in 1984-85

Randle registered 15 games scoring 30 points or more, including three games with 40 points or more, with two of those three games scoring 40 or more coming against the Hawks.

In the final 55 games of the regular season, Randle scored 22 points or more in 37 of those contest, including scoring 24 points or more in 8 out of the final 10 games of the regular season. He went 118/272 from three-point range (43.4 percent) as he made a career-best 160 total three-pointers in 2020-21. To put that into perspective, his previous career-high for total made three-pointers in a season came in 2018-19 with the Pelicans with 67.

Julius Randle’s Made Three-Pointers By Season

2015-16 w/Lakers: 10 made threes; 2016-17: 17 made threes; 2017-18 w/Lakers: 10 made threes; 2018-19 w/Pelicans 67 made threes; 2019-20 w/Knicks: 64 made threes; 2020-21 w/Knicks: 160 made threes.

After registering only one game with seven or more assists the previous season, Randle had 24 game with seven or more assists.

The other big reason for the Knicks return to the playoffs was the improved play from Year 1 to Year 2 of RJ Barrett, who went from averaging 14.3 points and five rebounds on 40.2 percent from the field, 32 percent from three-point range and 61.4 percent at the charity stripe to 17.6 points and 5.8 boards on 44.1 percent from the floor, 40.1 percent from three-point range, and 74.6 percent at the foul line.

The increase in point production is in large part to Barrett’s improved marksmanship from the field and the foul line. He went from shooting 40.1 percent from the floor, 32 percent from three-point range, and 61.4 percent at the charity stripe his rookie season, to a respectable 44.1 percent from the floor, a solid 40.1 percent from the three-point line, and a solid 74.6 percent at the foul line.

After registering 13 games with 20 points or more in his rookie season of 2019-20, Barrett, the No. 3 overall pick in 2019 out of Duke University had 33 games scoring 20 more in his sophomore season in the NBA. That included a career-high of 32 points on 12/21 shooting, including 3/6 from three-point range in the Knicks 119-97 win at the Thunder on Mar. 13.

Over the final 23 games of 2020-21, Barrett shot 63/136 (46.3 percent) from the three-point line and 63/79 (79.7 percent) at the free throw line.

In the final 53 games of the regular season, either Randle, Barrett or both scored 20 points or more in 45 of those 53 games.

The Knicks offensive attack a season ago also featured Alec Burks (12.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 41.5 3-Pt.%), who after registering three games scoring 20 or more pre-All-Star break, had eight such games post All-Star break. After having four total double doubles in his first 10 seasons with the Utah Jazz, Cavaliers, Kings, Warriors, and 76ers, Burks had three double-doubles in 2020-21, which included a season-high of 30 points and 10 rebounds on 11/20 shooting, including 5/8 from three-point range in the Knicks comeback 102-98 win on May 13 versus the Spurs, where Burks scored 16 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter.

In a trade with the Pistons, the Knicks acquired 2011 Kia MVP Derrick Rose in exchange for Dennis Smith, Jr. and a 2021 Second-Round pick (via Hawks).

With familiarity with Coach Thibodeau, who was his coach from 2010-15 with the Bulls, Rose (14.7 ppg, 47.0 FG%, 38.8 3-Pt.%-career-high) hit the ground running, averaging 14.9 points on 48.7 percent from the field, and 41.1 percent from three-point range.

In a 10-game span (Apr. 20-May 9), Rose averaged 18.9 points on 60 percent from the floor, and 52 percent from three-point range, which was the best 10-game span offensively the former No. 1 overall pick in 2008 by the Bulls has had in his career, which he capped scoring 19 of his season-high 25 points with eight assists and six rebounds on 11/17 from the field in the Knicks 106-100 win at the Clippers on May 9 on ESPN.

Only the 410 total points from Apr. 1-May 16 by Jordan Clarkson of the Jazz were the most off the bench besides the 367 total points off the bench registered by Rose.

In order to get any serious playing time under Coach Thibodeau, you have to be someone who can play within the context on both ends of the floor. That will bring it game-in and game-out on the defensive end and be ready when Coach Thibodeau calls your number.

That is how guard Immanuel Quickley (11.4 ppg, 38.9 3-Pt.%) got the playing time he did in his first NBA season. The No. 25 overall pick out of the University of Kentucky showed well scoring in double figures 35 times, mostly coming off the bench, scoring 20 points or more 11 times his rookie season, which included a season-high 31 points going 5/8 from three-point range in the Knicks 116-113 loss at the Trail Blazers on Jan. 24.

What made Coach Thibodeau’s squads so special defensively, particularly in his years with the Bulls is that he had players who simply got after it and that had an impact on the entire team, whether it was Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah, or Luol Deng.

For the Knicks, that defensive presence came from another player who played for Coach Thibodeau with the Bulls and his not so successful cup of coffee with the Timberwolves in Taj Gibson (5.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 62.7 FG%), Nerlens Noel (5.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.2 bpg-3^rd NBA), and Mitchell Robinson (8.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 65.3 FG%).

After bouncing around the league with the 76ers, Mavericks, and Thunder after getting drafted No. 6 overall by the 76ers in 2013, Noel found a team and carved out a niche for himself with the Knicks as a rebounder, rim protector and screen setter. He registered 12 games with four-plus block shots a season ago, joining aforementioned Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing (four times), Robinson (2018-19) and current Maverick Kristaps Porzingis (2017-18) as the three players in Knicks history to finish in the Top 3 in blocks per game for a single-season.

The Knicks other shot blocking threat in Robinson, played only in 31 games a season ago missing the final 26 games of the regular season due (right foot surgery), and the Knicks went 17-9 without him. Robinson missed 15 games earlier in the season with a broken bone in his right hand, and the Knicks went 9-6 in the games he missed.

Going into the playoffs for the first time since 2013, the Knicks had a confidence that they could at least advance past the First-Round, especially because they had home court advantage against their opponent in the Hawks, who they swept during the regular season 3-0. They found out very quickly that the regular season and the postseason are two different seasons at two different intensities.

The Knicks lost Game 1 (107-105) as the Hawks Trae Young buried running jumper with 00.9 seconds left that lifted the Hawks to victory as the Hawks outscored the Knicks 36-32 in the fourth quarter.

While the Knicks bench outscored the Hawks reserves 64-31, with a playoff career-high of 27 points of those 64 bench points coming from Burks, including 18 of those points in the fourth quarter, and 17 points with five assists and five rebounds from Rose, Randle went just 6/23 from the field for 15 points and 12 rebounds. Barrett also had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds in the defeat.

The Knicks got rid of their postseason jitters in Game 2 overcoming a 13-points halftime deficit (57-44) outscoring the Hawks 57-35 in the second half, including a 10-1 finish in the fourth quarter to win Game 2 101-92 to tie the series at 1-1.

Rose led the way with 26 points in the Knicks first postseason win since Game 5 of the 2013 East Semis against the Pacers. After scoring just two points on 0/6 shooting in the first half, Randle, scored 11 of his 13 points second half points in the third quarter, finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

The Knicks bench outscored the Hawks reserves 55-22 in Game 2, and the Knicks outscored the Hawks 42-28 in the paint.

The Knicks defense, which carried them throughout the regular season held the Hawks to 0/8 from the field, including 0/6 from three-point range the final five minutes of Game 2.

Games 3 and 4 on the Hawks home turf were not kind to the Knicks, dropping Game 3 (105-94) and Game 4 (113-96) to fall behind 3-1.

In Game 3, the Knicks were outscored 79-63 the final three quarters, and had zero fast break points.

While Rose had 30 points on 13/21 shooting, including 3/5 from three-point range, the rest of the team was just 16/60 from the floor, and 6/24 from three-point range. Randle had 14 points and 11 rebounds but shot just 2/15 from the field (season-worst), including 2/7 from three-point range. Barrett had just seven points on 2/9 shooting.

It was the same story in Game 4 as the Knicks were outscored by the Hawks 88-70 the final three quarters. Randle had his best scoring game of the series with 23 points, along with 10 boards and seven assists, but struggled again with his shot going 7/19 shooting. Barrett also had a strong game scoring with 21 points on 8/15 from the field. Rose added 18 points.

While the Knicks hung in their facing elimination in Game 5 back home, the Hawks were just too much in the second half, outscoring the Knicks 51-42 in the second 24 minutes, including, including 22-15 in the third quarter to be down 74-62 after three quarters and falling 103-89 to lose the series 4-1.

Randle (23 points, 13 rebounds) had the same amount of shots made (7) as turnovers (7) after three quarters, finishing 8/21 from the floor, including 3/9 from three-point range with eight turnovers in the loss. Barrett in Game 5 had 17 points with seven boards, and five assists, but was just 5/14 from the floor, including 2/6 from three-point range in the defeat.

It was the Knicks fifth First-Round exit in their last six playoff appearances as they fell to 0-14 all-time when trailing a best-of-seven series 3-1, and 3-21 all-time when trailing a best-of-seven series 2-1.

For the series, the Knicks averaged just 97 points, shot under 40 percent from the field, and went 52/152 (34.2 percent) from three-point range.

In the off-season, it was clear as a blue sunny sky that the Knicks needed to add more offensive punch to the roster.

They first in the 2021 draft dealt the draft rights to center Kai Jones (No. 19 overall pick) out of University of Texas to the Hornets in exchange for a future First-Round pick.

In a draft night trade with the Clippers, the Knicks acquired the draft rights to guard Quentin Grimes (No. 25 overall pick) out of the University of Houston and 2024 Second-Round pick (via Pistons) in exchange for the draft rights to forward Keon Johnson (No. 21 overall pick) out of University of Tennessee.

The other draft night deal by the Knicks was with the Thunder, acquiring the draft rights to guard Rokas Jokubaitias (No. 34 overall pick) from Lithuania and guard Miles McBride (No. 36 overall pick) out of University of Virginia, in exchange for draft rights to forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (No. 32 overall pick) out of Villanova University.

In free agency, the Knicks re-signed their core players, while also making a couple of additions that would improve their offensive attack that had its struggles in the regular season and in the postseason against the Hawks.

In early August, they re-signed Burks to a three-year, $30 million and Noel to a three-year, $32 million deal. They also re-signed Rose on a three-year, $43 million deal. Julius Randle, who was going to enter 2021-22 in the final year of his contract, signed a four-year, $117 million contract extension in early August, elevating his salary with his current deal to five years at $140 million.

In speaking with ESPN’s Malika Andrews in the middle of August on ESPN’s “NBA: The Jump” after agreeing to his extension, Randle said that while he had a great season in 2020-21, he said there is “a lot” of things he can improve on his game to become a better player and help the Knicks win more ball games.

“I love the process. I love the grind every day,” Randle, who averaged 18.0 points, 11.6 boards and four assists on 29.8 percent shooting in the playoffs against the Hawks said to Andrews. “So, I’m enjoying it right now and looking forward to just coming back a completely better player, you know, just helping my team.”

Hoping to help Randle and the Knicks get to that next level are their two big off-season signings in four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker (19.3 ppg, 4.9 apg, 36.0 3-Pt.% w/Celtics) and Evan Fournier (17.1 ppg 45.7 FG%, 41.3 3-Pt.% w/Magic & Celtics).

While the Knicks ranked No. 3 in three-point percentage (39.2 percent) in “The Association” in 2020-21 as well as led the in three-point percentage in clutch games (games within five points the final five minutes of regulation or overtime) at 42.1 percent (40/95), they ranked No. 24 in their percentage of field goal attempts (34.7 percent) taken from three-point range, and were last, No. 30 in three-point attempts at 30.0.

Overall last season, the Knicks ranked 29^th in assists (21.4), that is even with Randle average of six assists per game. They were also No. 21 in field goal percentage (45.6 percent).

From Apr. 9-May 5, the Knicks scored 100 points or more for 13 consecutive games and in 17 out of their final 20 games of 2020-21. They registered a 36-15 mark when they scored 100 points or more a season ago (going just 5-16 when they scored under 100 points).

The additions of Walker and Fournier could improve the Knicks offense. The big question for the Knicks is which Walker will they get this season?

In what was his final season with the Celtics, knee problems kept him from playing in any of his former team’s 15 back-to-back sets, and he missed 29 games in total because of those knee issues.

When Walker’s now former head coach Brad Stevens took over as the lead man in the Celtics front office just hours after they were knocked out in five games in the opening-round against the Nets, one of Steven’s first moves was dealing Walker to the Thunder, who bought Walker out of the final two years and $74 million of his contract.

If that is the Walker they will get, the Knicks offensive struggles have a good chance of continuing. If they are getting the Walker, from the Bronx, NY, who in his collegiate days at the University of Connecticut was lighting up the Madison Square Garden scoreboard, especially during the old Big East Tournament, then the Knicks have something.

“Growing up here, you know, walking around the city and seeing all those guys faces on billboards who played for the Knicks, who played for the Knicks. Who I’ve always been fans of and now to see myself up there,” Walker said on Aug. 17 of suiting up to play for the Knicks.

Fournier concurred by saying to be able to play “41 games” at MSG and being cheered by the sellout crowd is something that he is “extremely excited” to be a part of.

At Media Day, Fournier said it was an easy decision to sign with the Knicks, which he came to decide while playing for the French national team during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

He also said that growing up with two parents that were Judo fighters, which played huge part in him becoming the basketball player that he has been in his career at the national level and in the NBA with the Nuggets, Magic, Celtics and hopefully the Knicks.

“I enjoy winning. I enjoy battling, and I enjoy competing,” Fournier, who was did Judo for a while said.

One player looking forward to playing with Walker is Rose, who Walker said is the “biggest reason” why he signed with the Knicks.

That he wanted to get a chance to see how Rose prepares to play at an elite level every day. To pick his brain.

“I definitely want to build a special rapport with him. Try to help him, you know lead,” Walker said at Media Day about being able to call Rose his teammate. “I’ve seen this team last year in the way he helped and pushed himself. So, hopefully, you know, I can take a little pressure off him.”

For Rose, the feeling is mutual about playing alongside Walker, who he has played against going back to high school, at MSG. He said that by playing with “another” dynamic guard or when you have a dynamic player like him on your team.

“He’s always been a grimy, feisty guard. A New York guard,” Rose said in describing playing against Walker. “Always being competitive and he’s a dog. So, like having him along on the team, who wouldn’t want Kemba Walker on their team? You would be a fool not to.”

Along with the new additions, another player that could crack the rotation is forward Obi Toppin, who saw limited action in his rookie season in 2020-21. But the No. 8 overall pick in 2020 draft out of Dayton University had a couple of bright moments in the playoff series against the Hawks, like when he scored 13 points on 5/8 shooting in Game 4 in 19 minutes.

Along with having continuity entering the 2021-22 season, the Knicks also have draft capital in 15 First-Round picks over the next four years, including six First-Round picks and players signed to deals that they can potentially package in a trade for a star player. The Knicks also have up to 11 Second-Roundpikcs the next four years.

Knicks First-Round Draft Picks Next Four Drafts
2022: their own and Hornets (Top 18 protected)
2023: their own and Mavericks (Top 10 protected)
2024: their own
2025: their own

The Knicks return to the playoffs had New York and all Knicks fans on cloud nine after a seven-year absence. They got back to their roots which put them in the championship conversation in the 1990s of playing tough defense and playing with maximum effort each time they take the hardwood.

They enter this season with a core led by 26-year-old All-Star Julius Randle and 21-year-old RJ Barrett, who are both looking to take another in their maturation as big-time players and leaders on the Knicks. They have a supporting cast of Alec Burks, Derrick Rose, second-year guard Immanuel Quickley, Nerlens Noel, Taj Gibson, and Mitchell Robinson who know their roles and star in them.

The hope is that the additions of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier can improve them offensively while maintaining the level of defense that can help the Knicks win their first playoff series in 2013.

“It’s a good blend of guys,” Coach Thibodeau said about his team that will enter 2021-22. “The work part is equal for everyone. Roles are going to be different, and you need everyone over the course of the season.”

“So, each and every day, come in, put everything you have in teaching every day and concentrate on improvement. And then the second half of the season, you want to be playing your best.”

Best Case Scenario: The Knicks are competing for home court advantage in the Eastern Conference. Randle makes the All-Star team again. The guard combination of Walker, Rose, and Fournier remains healthy and is consistently productive. The Knicks remain a top tier defense. The Knicks reach the East Semis.

Worst Case Scenario: The Knicks are competing for a lower seeded spot in the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. Walker and Rose struggle to stay healthy. The Knicks defense slips.

Grade: B

Orlando Magic: 21-51 (5^th Southeast Division; missed the playoffs) 11-25 at home, 10-26 on the road.

-104.0 ppg-29^th; opp. ppg: 111.3-14^th; 45.4 rpg-7^th

Since the start of 2010-11 season, the Orlando Magic have only made the postseason four times, all concluding in the opening-round in six, five, five, and five games respectably. After a rash of injuries, especially early in the season, the front office decided that it was time to hit the reset button from the roster and eventually in the off-season with the coaching staff. With a new direction set; a new head coach; a plethora of young players to start with, especially in the backcourt, the challenge for the rebuilding Magic is to identify the core pieces to move forward with to hopefully a brighter future.

The Magic, who entered 2020-21 following two straight playoff appearances began the season 4-0 and were 6-2 after eight games. They proceeded to lose their next six games in succession and were never at .500 mark again the remainder of the season.

The ship began to sink for the guys from Disneyworld when in their 105-94 win versus the Cavaliers on Jan. 6, they lost starting guard Markelle Fultz (12.9 ppg, 5.4 apg in eight games) suffered a torn ACL in his left knee that shelved him the final 64 games of the season.

The Magic were never the same after that as they suffered five separate losing streaks of 5 or more games, including a nine-game losing streak from Feb. 23-Mar. 14. Two six-game losing streak from Apr. 3-14 and Apr. 16-26. Then finished the 2020-21 campaign with seven straight defeats.

Along with losing Fultz, the Magic entered the season without forward/center Jonathan Isaac, who tore the left ACL and meniscus in his left knee on Aug. 2, 2020 against the Kings in the restart in Orlando, FL.

The Magic lost a league-leading 422 games to injury and health and safety protocols a season ago.

Aside from the previously mentioned 52 games missed by Fultz last season, Terence Ross (15.6 ppg-Led team) missed 26 games, mainly because of back spasms. Guard Michael Carter-Williams (8.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.2 apg), missed 41 games. Guard Cole Anthony (12.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.1 apg) missed 25 games in his rookie season. Chuma Okeke (7.8 ppg), who sat out all last season because of injury missed a total of 37 games.

Seeing in the middle of last season it was time to end the Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier era, the Magic front office led by Chairman of RDV Sports, Inc. Dan DeVos, GM John Hammond, and President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, got the best value on the trade market for all the three players.

At the Mar. 25 NBA trade deadline, in a trade with the Bulls, the Magic dealt All-Star center Nikola Vucevic and forward Al-Farouq Aminu to the “Windy City” in exchange for center Wendell Carter, Jr. (11.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 51.2 FG% w/Bulls & Magic).

In a deal with the Celtics, the Magic dealt Fournier to “Beantown” in exchange for Jeff Teague, who they waived and two future Second-Round picks.

In another trade deadline deal, the Magic sent Gordon to the Nuggets in exchange for R.J. Hampton (6.9 ppg w/Nuggets & Magic) and guard Gary Harris (9.9 ppg, w/Nuggets & Magic).

On Apr. 10, the Magic also waived reserve big man Khem Birch.

They claimed off waivers forward Moritz Wagner (6.9 ppg, 45.4 FG% w/Wizards, Celtics, & Magic) and forward Ignas Brazdeikis (7.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg w/Knicks & Magic) later on in March.

Following the trades, the Magic went expectedly 6-22 the remainder of the season.

The overhaul of the Magic continued in the off-season with a mutually parting of ways with head coach Steve Clifford, who compiled a 96-131 mark in three seasons as the Magic’s leader on the sidelines, taking them to the playoffs his first two seasons. The Magic went 42-40 in Clifford’s first season, a 17-game improvement from the season before, the largest turnaround in 2018-19 and the second largest improvement in franchise history. That playoff berth in 2019 was the Magic’s first appearance in the postseason since 2012. They also won the Southeast Division for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

“We would like to thank Steve Clifford for his contributions to the Orlando Magic,” GM Weltman said on June 5. “We appreciate the many sacrifices he has made as our head coach and understand the timeline of our new path does not align with his goals as a head coach in our league.”

On July 11, the Magic hired longtime assistant coach Jamahl Mosley as the 14^th head coach in Magic history.

For Mosley this is his first opportunity as an NBA head coach after 15 years as an assistant coach with the Nuggets (2005-10); Cavaliers (2010-14) and the last seven seasons on now Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle’s staff with the Mavericks.

“Jamahl has a unique set of abilities,” Weltman said of the Magic’s new head coach. “His passion, his experience, his ability to connect. He has an amazing interpersonal skill set with anyone and it stems from his compassion as a person.”

Of the players that Coach Mosley will use that unique that interpersonal skill set to get the best out are the Magic’s 2021 draft class of guard Jalen Suggs (No. 5 overall pick) out of Gonzaga and forward Franz Wagner (No. 8 overall pick), the brother of Moritz from Germany and out of the University of Michigan.

In a draft night trade with the Clippers, the Magic acquired a 2026 Second-Round pick (via Pistons) and cash considerations in exchange for the draft rights to guard Jason Preston out of Ohio University.

In Suggs, who averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 2020-21 for the Gonzaga, the Magic drafted a player that simply put is a winner.

He etched himself into the great history of buzzer beaters in March Madness when he hit the game-winning three-pointer from halfcourt that put the Bulldogs into the NCAA Title game, where they lost to the University of Baylor Bears.

“I always watched the NCAA Tournament. Always wanted to be a part of March Madness. I had the opportunity to make a play that’s going to be remembered in March Madness,” Suggs said of that game-winning triple. “As it was going up, felt good coming out of my hands and it went in, and I mean the rest is history.”

Along with his ability to perform in the clutch, the Magic are also getting a fierce competitor that his hard nose; has elite court vision as a lead guard; a high IQ has a great floater and can really defend.

Along with playing basketball growing up, Suggs, a native of St. Paul, MN played football, where he played quarterback and safety. He is also the cousin of Super Bowl champion linebacker formerly of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and the Arizona Cardinals Terrell Suggs.

Suggs was so good at playing football, that Ohio State, Wisconsin, and the University of Georgia recruited him.

As he told ESPN’s Malika Andrews after the Magic drafted him that with the opportunity to strictly focus on being the best basketball player he can be for the Magic, that “the skies the limit” on how good he could be.

In preparation to play at the next level, Suggs trained in the same facility in L.A. where the players from the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks train. One of the players from the Sparks that saw him work out was ESPN NBA analyst Chiney Ogwumike, who said during ESPN’s coverage of the NBA draft on ABC that Suggs was one of the first ones to be in the facility and one of the last ones to leave, and always had a smile on his face.

“It’s been great,” Suggs, who averaged 15.3 points and 6.3 boards at 2021 NBA Summer League said about his experience being in the NBA so far at Magic Media Day. “I just wake up every day. Come to the gym, workout. Take care of my body. Go back home and kind of rest. I don’t got to wake up and go to class or, you know, go do any of that stuff. I get to come play basketball, and I get paid to do that. So, it’s the greatest time in the world.”

For Franz Wagner, one advantage he will have at the start of a hopeful long NBA journey is he will have his aforementioned brother Moritz, who the Magic signed to a two-year, $3.6 million deal alongside of him on the same team.

Along with playing for the Wolverines for two seasons, averaging 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds during his career, the younger Wagner has 57 games of pro experience playing in Germany, which he began at age 16.

Franz Wagner brings a versatility at the defensive end with his ability to guard multiple positions because of his length and mobility. In the halfcourt he has great instincts as a cutter. Is a great ball handler and plays the game with a high IQ on both ends of the court.

“He is the ultimate pro,” Wolverines assistant coach Saddi Washington said about the kind of player Wagner was in his time at Ann Arbor playing for former NBA legend Juwan Howard. “He’s serious about his craft and he’s a Wagner. The charisma. The professionalism. All his brothers at Michigan, we’re so proud of him and his family.”

In providing some veteran leadership to this roster of talented young players to learn the ins and outs of the NBA to go alongside Harris and Carter-Williams, the Magic signed veteran center Robin Lopez (9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 63.3 FG% w/Wizards) to a one-year, $5 million deal, and guard E’Twaun Moore, entering his 11^th NBA season at age 32 to a one-year, $2.6 million deal. Moore played for the Magic from 2012-14.

“I think our veterans are going to play a huge role. And not just necessarily on the court but off the court,” Coach Mosely said at Media Day about the role of the likes Lopez and Moore will have on the Magic’s young players. “What’s like to go through an 82-game season. Helping them understand the ins and outs of the game. Things that they’ve haven’t not seen before.”

“It’s going to be a huge role for these guys in order to help the young guys, you know, establish yourselves in the league.”

As important the veteran presence of Harris, Lopez, and Moore will be in the maturation process of the young Magic, the progression of this team will be in how quickly the likes of core players in Anthony, Hampton, Fultz, Isaac, Carter, Jr. Mo Bamba (8.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 47.2 FG%), and Suggs can grow under Coach Mosley’s system.

The biggest thing for Fultz and Isaac is to return to the court and remain healthy for a lengthy period to time so Coach Mosely can see what he has to work with.

Right now, there is no timetable for the former No. 1 overall pick in 2017 out of the University of Washington to return to the court. Fultz did say at Magic Media Day that there have been no setbacks in his recovery and that he is taking it “one day at a time.”

“I’m super happy to one, just to see another day. But to just have the opportunity to grow with this team,” Fultz said at Media Day. “I think we have a special group of guys. New coaching staff. The energy here is amazing. The coaching here is amazing. I’m really, really excited to get going, and just be around this team as we get started.”

With Fultz still having to recover to start this upcoming season, it means that Anthony will be the starting guard for the Magic, and he told NBATV’s Dennis Scott that he and Coach Mosley have really been connecting and through their conversations coming into the season have the “same vision” on what they believe what the Magic could be.”

“I think he’s going to be a great head coach,” Anthony, the son of former NBA guard with the Knicks, Grizzlies, and Trail Blazers and current NBATV analyst Greg Anthony said. I think he’s got a chance to really help us do something with this organization. So, super excited for him to be here. Super excited for this team.”

For Isaac, he said at Media Day that his recovery is going well but he also has no set timetable to return to the hardwood before the start of the 2021-22 season.

“Recovery has been great. Been taking it day-by-day. Been grinding,” Isaac said of how his left knee is recovering. “Markelle has been right beside me each and every day. So, we’ve been able to feed off each other. But I’m seeing great progress, not just with my knee but my game overall. With my weight. With weightlifting and all that. So, I’m pleased. I’m making strides and can’t wait to be back.”

Without Isaac to start the season, this opens the door for playing time for Bamba, who did make strides in his third season after injuries hampered his ability to get better his first two NBA seasons.

At Media Day, Bamba said at Media Day that he specifically during the off-season worked on his “conditioning” and ability to “finish” around the basket. He also said that what has really come along for him is his IQ.

“I’m able to see plays happen before they happen. I’m able to make reads. And I think that’s one thing that I’m really excited to get out there and show this year,” Bamba also said.

After coming to the realization in the middle of 2020-21 season that just competing to make the playoffs was not cutting the mustard, the Orlando Magic front office decided to overhaul the roster and start a new in hoping for a better future.

That future is in the hands of new head coach Jamahl Mosley, and young core of players in Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, Mo Bamba, Franz and Moritz Wagner, R.J. Hampton, Chuma Okeke, and Jalen Suggs.

They will have the likes of E’Twaun Moore, and Robin Lopez to show them the ropes. But the success of the Magic will be on how quickly their young players progress beginning with this upcoming season.

“At the end of the day, for us, it’s just going to be, do the work,” Coach Mosley said of what it will take for the Magic to turn themselves back into a playoff perennial. “I don’t think there’s any speeches. There’s not going to be anything that’s going to try to get guys going. We have to show up every day and do the work. There’s no other way to look at it then get in that gym. Put in the work and the results will take care of themselves.”

Best Case Scenario: The Magic win at more than 20 games. Suggs and Wagner are in contention for any of the two All-Rookie squads. Fultz and Isaac return and play at a reasonable level.

Worst Case Scenario: The Magic go through at least three to five losing streaks of 5-7 games or more. Fultz and Isaac struggle to regain their level of play pre-injuries. Suggs and Wagner have more low moments than high moments as rookies.

Grade: C

Philadelphia 76ers: 49-23 (No. 1 Atlantic Division; No. 1 Seed in East); 29-7 at home, 20-16 on the road; Defeated the No. 8 Seeded Washington Wizards 4-1 in East Quarterfinals; Lost to No. 5 Seeded Atlanta Hawks 4-3 in East Semifinals.

-113.6 ppg-14^th; opp. ppg: 109.4-7^th; 45.1 rpg-10^th

Losses in East Semis in 2018 and 2019 seemed like a speed bump in the Philadelphia 76ers drive to win their first title since 1983. Falling in a four-game sweep in the opening-round in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL felt like something was missing for the 76ers. When they lost again in last season’s East Semifinals, it felt like the 76ers were at a crossroads. For a team that has one of the best coaches in the NBA. A legit MVP candidate. Plays elite defense. Has one of the best home court advantages in the NBA, and championship potential. The problem is that they have a disgruntled star player whose simply wants a fresh start elsewhere after he flamed out in the 2021 East Semis. The challenge for the 76ers for 2021-22 is trying to final get to The Finals and win it all whether they have their three-time All-Star guard or they decide to eventually trade him.

Under the direction of new head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers and the new coaching staff in, the 76ers compiled the best record in the Eastern for the first time since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson was their headliner two decades ago.

They got there behind the dynamic duo of four-time All-Star center Joel Embiid (28.5 ppg-4^th NBA, 10.6 rpg-10^th NBA, 51.3 FG%-career-high, 85.9 FT%-career-high), who registered 31 double-doubles in 2020-21 and a career-best 10.7 free throw attempts (led NBA) in 2020-21, making the All-NBA Second Team and All-Defensive Second for,] the third time in his career he made All-NBA as well as his third All-Defensive team selection. Embiid, who finished No. 2 in MVP voting registered 16 games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. The 76ers compiled a 14-2 mark when that happened for Embiid a season ago.

Most Free Throw Attempts Since 2018-19 Season

James Harden (BKN): 1,981
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 1,896
Joel Embiid (PHI): 1,632

From Apr. 12-16, Embiid became the first 76er since Hall of Famer and current NBA on TNT studio analyst Charles Barkley in 1990 to register at least 35 points and seven rebounds in three consecutive games.

Ben Simmons (14.3 ppg, 6.9 apg, 7.2 rpg, 1.6 spg-9^th NBA, 55.7 FG%) had a solid year, but really made his impact defensively as he continued is unbelievable prowess of guarding multiple positions and doing all the little things that do not always show up in the box score. That led to the 2017-18 Kia Rookie of the Year, who had 13 double-doubles, including four triple-doubles in 2020-21 to making the NBA All-Defensive team for the second straight season and finished in the Top 3 for Kia Defensive Player of the Year.

Simmons and Embiid’s ability to score down low, especially on the offensive glass is how the 76ers ranked No. 5 in second-chance points (13.9) as season ago.

Behind Simmons’ exceptional ability to defend on the perimeter and get steals, and force turnovers is how the 76ers ranked No. 3 in fastbreak points in (15.2) and No. 4 in points off turnovers (18.1) in 2020-21

Filling out the rest of the starting five for the 76ers was Tobias Harris (19.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.5 apg), who once again under Coach Rivers like he was with the Clippers, shooting a career-best 51.2 percent from the field, and a solid 39.4 percent from three-point range.

Tobias Harris’ Seasons Under Coach “Doc” Rivers

2017-18 With Clippers (32 games): 19.3 points, six rebounds 47.3 FG%, 41.4 3-Pt.%
2018-19 With Clippers 20.9 points (career-high), 7.9 rebounds, 49.6 FG%, 43.4 3-Pt.%

When Harris scored 20 points or more in 2020-21, the 76ers registered a 24-8 record in the regular season.

Rounding out the starting five was new additions Seth Curry (12.5 ppg, 46.7 FG%, 45.0 3-Pt.%-6^th NBA) and three-time NBA with Spurs, Raptors, and Lakers Danny Green (9.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 40.5 3-Pt.%).

When Curry scored in double figures in 2020-21, the 76ers were 29-8, and were 39-18 with the brother of Warriors two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry in the lineup.

When Simmons, Curry, Embiid, Harris, and Green started together last season, the 76ers wenfd5qw 27-5.

Contributing off the 76ers’ bench Shake Milton (13.0 ppg, 45.0 FG%, 35.0 3-Pt.%) and Furkan Korkmaz (9.1 ppg, 37.5 3-Pt.%), and rookie Tyrese Maxey (8.0 ppg, 46.2 FG%).

What made the 76ers season even more special is that they compiled this amazing mark while dealing with a plethora of injuries during the season.

Embiid in total missed 21 games last season, which included a 10-game stretch from Mar. 14-Apr. 3 (bone bruise left knee). The 76ers went 39-12 with Embiid (10-11 without Embiid) in the lineup on the season.

Because of injuries/illness/health and safety protocols, Korkmaz missed 17 games, Curry missed 15 games, Simmons missed 13 games, Harris missed 10 games, and Milton missed nine games in 2020-21.

With Embiid and Simmons in the lineup in 2020-21, the 76ers were 35-7 (3-8 without Embiid and Simmons) in the lineup.

That is what made it even more remarkable that the 76ers compiled second-best mark at home in the league in 2020-21 and are 60-11 (NBA best) at home since 2019-20 season.

Best Home Records Since Start of 2019-20 Season
76ers: 60-11
Bucks: 61-15
Clippers: 53-19
Heat: 50-22

Dating back to 2019-20 season, the 76ers went 42-6 at Wells Fargo Center during the regular season with fans in attendance.

The 76ers’ remarkable home record, especially in 2020-21 is not only because of the great offensive play of the starting five at the offensive end, it is because of their exceptional play at the defensive end, where the 76ers ranked No. 4 in opponent’s field goal percentage (45.3%); No. 9 in opponent’s three-point percentage (36.0%); No. 9 in steals (7.2) and No. 9 in rebounding differential (+2.1).

As the 76ers entered the 2021 Playoffs, the expectations was for them to reach The Finals, even though the likes of Nets and Bucks were waiting possibly in the wings. In the early stages of their First-Round tilt versus the Wizards, the 76ers played at a level of a team that wants to win their first title since 1983.

They took care of business at home winning Game 1 (125-118) and Game 2 (120-95) to take a 2-0 series lead.

Harris led the way in Game 1 scoring 28 of his playoff career-high 37 points in the opening half, going 15/29 from the floor. Embiid took care of things in the second half scoring 21 of his 30 points going 12/13 at the foul line. Curry scored 11 of his 15 points in the third quarter. While he only scored six points, Simmons had 15 assists, and 15 rebounds.

Harris and Embiid became the first pair of 76ers to score 30 points each in the same playoff game since 1990.

In Game 2 a balanced attack overwhelmed the Wizards led by Simmons, who had 12 of his 22 points in the first quarter with eight assists, nine rebounds on 11/15 shooting. Embiid had 22 points and seven boards, hitting three of his four triple tries, while Harris had 19 points and nine rebounds.

The 76ers outscored the Wizards 68-50 in the paint and 43-31 in bench points in Game 2, as they led by as many as 27 points.

The 76ers dominated the Wizards on their home court winning Game 3 132-103 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. Embiid led the charge with a scoring 25 of his playoff career-high 36 points on 14 for 18 shooting with eight rebounds. Harris added 20 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. Curry (3/6 3-Pt.) and Green (5/9 3-Pt.%) scored 15 points each, while Simmons had 14 points, nine assists, and five boards.

The 76ers shot 58.6 percent in Game 3, going 17/33 (51.5 percent) from three-point range, registering 31 assists on 51 made field goals in recording their largest margin of victory in a playoff game since their 121-88 win in Game 5 of 2001 East Semifinals versus the Raptors on May 16, 2001.

The 76ers had 109 points after three quarters, setting a single-game franchise playoff record and recording the second most points through three quarters in the 24-second shot clock era (1954-55).

There was no sweep for the 76ers as they dropped Game 4 122-114 at the Wizards, losing Embiid in first quarter with sore right knee.

Simmons, who had 13 points and 12 boards, went just 5/11 at the foul line, including 4/8 in the fourth quarter as the 76ers went from an 11-point lead in the opening period to being down by as many as 14 points in the second half. Harris in defeat had 21 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

The 76ers who shot 49/72 (68.1 percent) at the foul line the first three games of the series, went 22/34 (64.7 percent) from the charity stripe in Game 4.

The 76ers finished off the Wizards in Game 5 129-112 to take the series 4-1. Curry led the way with a playoff career-high 30 points on 10/17 shooting, including 3/6 from three-point range by Curry. Harris had 28 points, nine boards, six assists, three steals on 8/10 at the foul line. Simmons, who went 5/8 at the foul line had a triple-double of 19 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Embiid was out with a small meniscus tear in his right knee.

Embiid did return for the start of the Semis versus the Hawks, but his new playoff career-high of 39 points, with 27 of those 39 points coming in the first half with nine boards and three blocks on 12/21 from the field and 14/15 at the foul line was not enough in the 128-124 loss Game 1, which snapped their 10-game home winning.

The 76ers in the Game 1 loss went 24/35 (68.6 percent) at the foul line, 10/29 from three-point range and had 19 turnovers that led to 28 Hawks points.

They tied the series 1-1 with a 118-102 win versus the Hawks in Game 2 as the starters outscored the Hawks starts 92-53 and outscored the Hawks bench 26-0 in the second half led by the 14 points on 4/5 from three-point range by Milton.

Embiid had a playoff career-high 40 points with 13 rebounds on 14/25 from the field and 12/16 at the free throw line. Harris had 22 points on 11/19 shooting.

That dominance continued as the 76ers scored a 127-111 win in Game 3 at the Hawks to lead the series 2-1. Embiid (27 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, three blocks) and Simmons (18 points, seven assists) scored a combined 22 (11 points each) of the 76ers 34 points in third quarter as they used an 11-0 run to close the period and they never looked back.

With the loss of Green four minutes into Game 3 (right calf strain), Korkmaz stepped in and scored 11 of his 14 points in the first quarter, going 3/6 from three-point range. He was part of a 76ers bench that outscored the Hawks reserves 48-32.

The 76ers led by as many as 18 points in the opening half of Game 4 and were up by as many as 13 in the third quarter. But were outscored 37-20 in the third quarter and 54-38 in the second half in dropping Game 4 103-100 that tied the series 2-2.

Embiid, who had 13 points and 10 boards on 4/8 shooting in the first half, had just four points with 11 boards in the second half, going 0/12 from the floor the second 24 minutes.

The 76ers were on their way to an easy win in Game 5 versus the Hawks at home leading by as many as 26 points and were up 87-69 after three quarters. But were outscored 40-19 in the fourth quarter and lost Game 5 109-106 to be one loss away from elimination.

76ers In Game 5

1^st Half: 62 points, 23/43 shooting (53.5%); 12 assists; 26 paint points and outrebounded Hawks 30-19.

2^nd Half: 44 points on 12/32 shooting (37.5%); eight assists; four paint points; were outrebounded 21-14; were outscored 24-4 in the paint.

The 76ers were just 23/38 (60.5 percent) at the foul line in Game 5, which included going 15/23 in the second half.

The loss waisted an exceptional performance of 37 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and four block shots from Embiid and a playoff career-high of 36 points on 13/19 from the field, including 7/12 from three-point range by Curry.

Curry had 25 points on 9/12 shooting, including 4/6 from three-point range in the second half, while Embiid had 13 points going 6/8 at the foul line but just 3/9 from the floor in the second half. The rest of 76ers registered just six points, going 0/11 from the field and 6/11 at the free throw line in the second 24 minutes.

Simmons’ free throw struggles were once again front and center as he had just eight points and nine rebounds going 4/14 at the foul line. Harris also struggled with just four points on 2/11 shooting.

The 76ers avoided elimination by winning Game 6 at the Hawks 104-99 tying the series 3-3 behind a playoff franchise record for a quarter of 7 made threes, going 7/11 from three-point range in the period as part of a 12/29 performance from three-point range in the contest, and went 15/20 at the foul line in the fourth quarter, including going 6/6 in the closing minute.

Harris and Curry (6/9 from three-point range) led the way with 24 points each, with Curry opening the third quarter scoring 14 straight points, hitting 4 of the 7 threes by the 76ers in the period. Embiid had 22 points, 13 boards, and three block shots, while Maxey contributed 16 points.

That poise in Game 6 was not shown by the 76ers at crunch time in Game 7 as they lost at home versus Hawks 103-96 and saw their season end two rounds short of their ultimate goal of competing for a title.

While Embiid had 31 points and 11 rebounds on 11/21 shooting, Harris had 24 points and 14 rebounds, but shot just 8/24 from the floor, including 2/7 from three-point range.

A lot of the blame for the loss in Game 7 and the series went to Simmons, who despite having 13 assists and eight boards had just five points and shot just four times, going 2/4 from the field.

Perhaps the moment that crystalized how much Simmons lost his confidence in wanting to go to the foul line is when he passed up a wide-open dunk right at the basket with about 3:30 left in the fourth quarter and gave it up to Matisse Thybulle who did get fouled.

In his postgame presser when asked if Simmons could be the starting point guard on a championship caliber team like the 76ers, Coach Rivers said, “I can’t answer that.”

For a majority of the offseason, the focus of the 76ers was on trying to repair the rift between themselves and their 25-year-old three-time All-Star.

That took away from a lot of other new that took place in the re-signing of Korkmaz to a three-year, $15 million deal. The addition of All-Star center Andre Drummond (14.9 ppg, 12.0 rpg-4^th NBA, 49.3 FG% w/Cavaliers & Lakers) or that they signed forward Georges Niang (6.9 ppg, 42.5 3-Pt. w/Jazz) to a two-year, $6.7 million deal.

This entire summer was about Simmons, who in a meeting in Los Angeles, CA back in August with Coach Rivers, GM Daryl Morey, and Owner Josh Harris said that he was not going to report to training camp until he is traded, despite the fact that he has four years and $146.6 million left on his contract.

Ben Simmons’ Current Contract Breakdown

Seasons          Salary            Age
2021-22     $33.0 million       25
2022-23     $35.4 million       26
2023-24     $37.9 million       27
2024-25     $40.3 million       28

On top of that, no one defended Simmons all throughout last season and in the playoffs than Coach Rivers, especially when it came to whether he would bench Simmons for his unwillingness to shoot.

At 76ers Media Day on Sept. 27 when Simmons did not report, Coach Rivers alongside GM Daryl Morey addressed the situation by saying at his presser, “We’re going focus on whose here.”

“We’re going try to build our team out to whose here right now with hope that we do gave Ben at some point. But right now, that can’t be our focus. I can only touch the people who are in front of me.”

On Sept. 30, Embiid addressed Simmons’ absence from the start of training camp by saying to “The Athletic,” “I feel like our teams have always been built around his needs. So, it was kind of surprising to see. I mean, the reason we signed Al [Horford] is [Simmons]. We got rid of Jimmy [because] he needed the ball in his hands.”

“The situation is weird, disappointing, borderline kind a disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives. Some guys rely on the team to be successful to stay in the league and make money somehow.”

The reason that the 76ers and Simmons are at this crossroads goes back to what Coach Rivers did not say about if Simmons could be the start point guard on a championship team.

He was also offended by what Embiid said after the Game 7 loss in reference to Simmons passing up a sure fire two points on a dunk and passing the ball to Thybulle, “I’ll be honest. I thought the turning point was when we, I don’t know how to say it, is when we had a dunk and we made one free throw.”

Whether the criticism is fair or unfair from his inability to shoot jumpers or make free throws, Simmons disappeared in the East Semis against the Hawks not attempting a field goal in the final period of Games 2,4,5,6, and 7, averaging just 9.9 points on 33.3 percent of his foul shots (15/45).

The 76ers as a team shot just 68.5 percent from the charity stripe in the 2021 Playoffs, after shooting 76.7 percent from the charity stripe during the regular season. That is how they compiled a 2-5 mark in clutch time, after going a league-best 25-9 in games that were within five points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime.

The 76ers with Simmons and his representatives digging their heels in about not reporting until he is traded, said on Oct. 1 that they will not pay the $8.25 million owed to him, which is the second payment of his $33.0 million salary for the 2021-22 season has been placed in an escrow account. For each game Simmons misses (preseason and regular season while holding out, he will be deducted $360,000.

Simmons Possible Penalties For Not Reporting

Missing Media Day: $50,000
Practice One: $2,500
Practice Two: $5,000
Practice Three: $7,500
Practice Four and Beyond: up to $50,000
Exhibition and Regular-Season Games (Total of 20): $227,000 per game
Regular Season Games (21-82): $300,000

Ben Simmons’ 2021-22 Payment Schedule
July 1: 25 percent of his salary
Oct. 1: 25 percent of his salary
Nov. 15: Starts receiving 50 percent of his salary in 12 Installments

“We’re just going to keep communicating as much as we can through Ben. Through his agent, and see where it goes, you know,” Coach Rivers said to NBATV’s Dennis Scott via Zoom at Media Day. “He has a five-year deal that he has four years left.”

Coach Rivers also mentioned that they were one game away from the being in the Conference Finals in a 76ers squad that had a few new players, a new coaching staff, and new offensive and defensive philosophy.

Normally it takes time to get to the point where the 76ers had a chance to be, and what they did as Coach Rivers said was the first step in many to becoming a champion.

If Simmons is going to be out, and eventually traded, that puts more pressure on Embiid to not only play at an MVP level, but to stay healthy, which he has not done so far in his career.

Joel Embiid Missed Games By Season

2014-15: 82 missed games
2014-16: 82 missed games
2016-17: 51 missed games
2017-18: 19 missed games
2018-19: 18 missed games
2019-20: 22 missed games
2020-21: 21 missed games

There was glimmer of hope that this rift might be repaired when Simmons ended his hold out and showed up to training camp on Oct. 11. Any chance of this marriage being repaired though might have gone out the window after Simmons was wiped away after Coach Rivers kicked him out of practice on Tuesday for not participating in a team drill, after being asked a couple of times. It was also noted that he had a cell phone in his pocket during practice.

“My job as a coach is to keep trying to get guys to buy in to be in and unfortunately this is tougher situation. But that is my job. And so, I’m not going to stop my job,” Rivers said after practice about kicking Simmons out.

Embiid used a more forceful tone saying about Simmons that he does not “care about that man,” adding, “Honestly, he does whatever he wants. That’s not my job…I’m only focused on trying to make the team better.”

“But at the end of the day, our job is not to babysit somebody, you know. We’re here. We get paid to produce on the court. Got out and play hard. Win some games. That’s what we get paid for. We don’t get paid to, you know baby sit somebody…and I’m sure my teammates feel that way. So, we’re just really focused on just, you know, winning and playing as a team.”

One of the things Coach Rivers said to Scott that he likes is that entering Year 2 as 76ers head coach is that there is continuity with having one of the best players in the league in Embiid on the team and a supporting cast like Curry, Harris, Milton, and Korkmaz.

Coach Rivers also said that the addition of Drummond as a back to Embiid will be “phenomenal” for him and the 76ers. Adding Niang gives the 76ers another perimeter shooter that adds depth to their front court. And Maxey Rivers said is “going to be a player” in the NBA.

Last season, the 76ers generated championship excitement they had not had in the city of “Brotherly Love” in two decades. They thought after a tough finish to 2020-21 that they would regroup and come back primed to get over that hurdle. But as they enter this season, they have an even bigger hurdle in dealing with the Ben Simmons saga.

It is clear that Simmons does not want to be in the city of “Brotherly Love” anymore. But the 76ers are not going to trade him for nothing, especially with Daryl Morey in the front office.

One thing Coach Rivers said to Scott is that he told his team is that every team that strives to win a championship will have a journey. And if their destination is to win a title, it will be a hard journey and they have to embrace everything that is going to come with it. In this case dealing with the saga of Ben Simmons is part of this journey.

Coach Rivers also said that the 76ers have to be ready to completely by into the team concept of being able to trust one another on both ends. Buy completely into the team concept on both ends. That along with find a resolution with Simmons to whether he somehow comes back to the team or they find the right package to trade him for.

“But the main thing we have to do is stay focused on getting better as a group, and the group that we have with us has to embrace that,” Coach Rivers said to Scott.

“We were not ready to do those things all the time. So, that’s what I’ll be looking for this year, and if we are ready, we’ll have to do all those things.”

Best Case Scenario: They finish in the Top 3 in the East. Embiid is the leading candidate for Kia MVP. The 76ers get the right compensation to deal Simmons or they find a way to reconcile and get him back on the hardwood. 76ers make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: 76ers are having to earn a playoff berth through the Play-In Tournament. They deal Simmons in exchange for below his value. 76ers have an early exit in the playoffs.

Grade: C+

Toronto Raptors: 27-45 (5^th Atlantic Division; missed the playoffs) 16-20 at home, 11-25 on the road.

-111.3 ppg-19^th; opp. ppg: 112.4-18^th; 41.6 rpg-28^th

After seven straight trips to the playoffs, finishing as a Top-Four seed (winning their first NBA title in 2019), the Raptors took a serious nosedive. They were displayed to Tampa, FL because of Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions imposed by Canada. Injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak is why the Raptors missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013. With their franchise cornerstone now gone. Three key players from that 2019 title squad are now headliners, and the arrival of their first Top-Five pick in a decade, the challenge for the Raptors is to find that person to be their unquestioned leader while trying to recapture that it factor that made them champions two seasons back.

The Raptors got off to a slow start a season ago, going 2-8 their first 10 games. A 15-9 mark their next 24 games brought their record to even at 17-17 after a 122-111 win versus the Rockets on Feb. 2.

That momentum was halted by a Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak amongst head coach Nick Nurse’s squad, which began with him being ruled out of their previously mentioned victory versus the Rockets. Their next two games versus the Bulls and Pistons were postponed. Three of their five starters in Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby, and rookie Malachi Flynn were ruled out due to health and safety protocols.

Coach Nurse returned to the sidelines in the Raptors 121-120 loss versus the Hawks, while Siakam, VanVleet, Anunoby, Flynn, and McCaw remained out. Siakam and VanVleet returned to the lineup on Mar. 17, a 116-112 loss by the Raptors versus the Pistons. Anunoby and Flynn returned two night later in another Raptors loss, a 115-112 defeat versus the Jazz.

Raptors Missed Games Due to Injury/Health and Safety Protocols In 2020-21
OG Anunoby: 29 missed games
Malachi Flynn: 25 missed games
Fred VanVleet: 20 missed games
Pascal Siakam: 16 missed games
Chris Boucher: 12 missed games

The Raptors went 1-13 their next 14 games from Mar. 3-Apr. 2, which included a nine-game losing streak. They rebounded to go 8-5 their next 13 games from Apr. 2-26 to remain in the hunt for a chance to be in the inaugural East Play-in Tournament. But the Raptors hopes of continuing their streak of consecutive playoff appearances were dashed with a 1-10 mark their final 11 games of the season, which included a seven-game losing streak to close out the season from May 4-16.

Even with the injuries, the Raptors key players managed to put together solid numbers when they were in the lineup. However, they showed that there is still room for improvement.

Siakam (21.4 ppg-Led team, 7.2 rpg, 45.5 FG%) a season ago had nine games scoring 30 points or more, included a career-high of 44 points with 11 rebounds, and seven assists on 17/28 shooting and 8/11 at the foul line in the Raptors 131-129 overtime loss on May 6 versus the Wizards.

Siakam really made strides a season ago in terms of being a playmaker as evidenced by his average of 4.5 assists, making him an even more complete player. After not registering a double-double his first two NBA seasons, the 2018-19 Kia Most Improved Player has registered seasons with 18, 12, and 13 double-doubles his last three seasons.

The next step for Siakam is to be a more consistent three-point shooter as he went from connecting on 36.9 and 35.9 percent of his triple tries his previous two seasons connecting on just 29.7 percent a season ago. To further illustrate this point, the 2020 All-Star selection went from making a career-best 131 threes in 2019-20, to 73 connections from distance a season ago.

Four years back VanVleet was an unknown undrafted guard out of Wichita State University and who was told what he could not do at his small size. All he did was show what he could, which was increase his scoring, three-point shooting and playmaking each season to a career-high average of 19.6 points with 6.3 assists and 1.7 steals (5^th NBA) on 36.6 percent from three-point range a season ago. From the season the Raptors won their first ever NBA title to last season, VanVleet has averaged in double-figures.

Fred VanVleet’s Scoring, Assists, Three-Point Percentage By Season In NBA
Season        Scoring   Assists   3-Pt.%
2016-17        2.9          0.9         37.9%
2017-18       8.6          3.2         41.4%
2018-19      11.0          4.8         37.8%
2019-20     17.6          6.6         39.0%
2020-21      19.6          6.3          36.6%

Only the Rockets’ Christian Wood and former Raptors guard Mike James averaged more points for a season than what VanVleet averaged in 2020-21.

Most Points Per Game By An Undrafted Player In NBA History
                                Points        Season         Team
Christian Wood      21.0          2020-21      Rockets
Mike James             20.3          2005-06      Raptors
Fred VanVleet        19.6          2020-21      Raptors
Fred VanVleet        17.6          2019-20      Raptors
John Starks             17.5          1992-93      Knicks

A season ago, VanVleet registered six games scoring 30 points or more, which included a career-high and franchise record 54 points on 17/23 shooting, including 11/14 from three-point range with three steals and three block shots in the Raptors 123-108 win on Feb. 2 at the Magic.

VanVleet on this night surpassed the previous single-game franchise scoring mark of 52 points scored by DeMar DeRozan in the Raptors 131-127 overtime win on New Year’s Day 2018.

He registered the highest scoring game in NBA history by an undrafted player in the Common Draft Era (since 1966), surpassing the late Hall of Famer Moses Malone. On top of that, he registered the seventh most points by a player 6-foot-1 or shorter in NBA history.

Most Points In A Single-Game By An Undrafted Player In NBA History

       Player               Points       Year            Team
Fred VanVleet          54            2021          Raptors
Moses Malone           53           1982           Rockets
Moses Malone           51           1984           76ers
Moses Malone           51           1981           Rockets
Moses Malone           50           1987           Bullets (now Wizards)
Moses Malone           49           1982           Rockets

VanVleet’s 11 made threes fell one shy of equaling the single-game franchise record held by Donyell Marshall of 12 made threes in the Raptors 128-110 victory on Mar. 13, 2005 versus 76ers. He went 8/9 from three-point range in the opening half, with the eight triples setting a new Raptors record for made threes in a half. Became the first player in NBA history to score 50 points with three steals and three blocks in a game since Michael Jordan in 1987.

When the Raptors drafted forward OG Anunoby No. 23 overall in 2017 out of Indiana University, he earned his stripes first as defender using his length and size to slow down some of the best wings in “The Association.” Over the course of his first four NBA seasons, he improved as a jump shooter, particularly as a three-point shooter and that has led to consecutive seasons of increasing his scoring from 10.6 the previous season to 15.9 in 2020-21. He shot a career-high 50.6 percent from the floor and 39 percent from three-point range in 2019-20 and shot 48.0 percent from the field and a career-high 39.8 percent from three-point range last season.

Anunoby went from making 73 triples his rookie season to 67 threes in 2018-19; 89 threes in 2019-20; and 104 threes in just 43 games played a season ago. From Jan. 10-Apr. 6, Anunoby scored in double-figures a career-best 24 consecutive games.

At the start of 2020-21, lanky big man Chris Boucher 13.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.9 bpg-5^th NBA, 51.4 FG%, 38.3 3-Pt.%) had a strong start to his fourth season in the NBA, his third with the Raptors, establishing himself as a modern-day frontcourt player in the NBA with his ability to shoot the three and protect the rim defensively. He set career-highs with 12 double-doubles and 90 total made three-pointers last season.

One of Boucher’s double-doubles of a career-high 38 points with 19 rebounds on 14/24 from the floor, including three made triples came in the Raptors 122-113 loss Apr. 8 versus the Bulls.

When the Raptors were in a downward spiral in March, there were some who thought that they would be big time seller as the Mar. 25^th trade deadline. Meaning that they would deal the lynch pin of their team for nearly a decade in perennial All-Star Kyle Lowry.

Instead, they decided to bring in reinforcements with the acquisition of guard Gary Trent, Jr. (15.3 ppg, 38.5 3-Pt.% w/Trail Blazers & Raptors), along with forward/guard Rodney Hood from the Trail Blazers in exchange for free agent to be Norman Powell.

After averaging 15.0 points on 38.5 percent from three-point range with the Trail Blazers to averages of 16.2 points on 35.5 percent from three-point range in 17 games played with the Raptors. The son of former Raptor and Trail Blazer Gary Trent, Sr. scored a career-high of 44 points on 17/19 from the field, including 7/9 from three-point range in the Raptors 135-115 win at the Cavaliers.

In getting future assets, the Raptors in a trade with the Jazz acquired a future Second-Round pick in exchange for guard Matt Thomas. In a trade with the Kings, the Raptors acquired a 2021 Second-Round pick in exchange for Terence Davis II.

After getting waived by the Magic on Apr. 8, the Raptors signed center Khem Birch (7.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 49.7 FG% w/Magic & Raptors) 48 hours later, and all he did was put up the best numbers in his four-year career of 11.9 points, and 7.6 rebounds on 55.6 percent from the field in 19 games played, equaling the amount of double doubles he had in 19 games with the Raptors that he had with the Magic of three. The four-year man out of the University of Las Vegas (UNLV) had a total of four double doubles his first two NBA seasons with the Magic.

While the Raptors did not deal Lowry at the trade deadline, they did play Flynn (7.5 ppg) at the lead guard spot more to see what had in their First-Round pick (No. 29 overall) out of San Diego State.

After not getting much playing time at the start of last season, Flynn really came on with averages of 10.0 points and 3.8 assists post All-Star break, including averages of 12.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds on 40.8 percent from the three in April.

Along with VanVleet’s aforementioned scoring night, there were a couple more things to smile about in what was a rough season for the Raptors in 2020-21.

They registered their largest margin of victory in franchise history with a 130-77 drubbing of the Warriors, where at one point led 121-60 (61-point lead) at the 6:29 mark of the fourth quarter overtook the previous mark for margin of victory 46 points against the Pacers in 2019-20 season.

In the Raptors 135-111 win versus the Nuggets on Mar. 24, The Sports Network, which broadcasts Raptors in celebration of International Women’s Day with the first all-female broadcasting team of Meghan McPeak, who did play-by-play and Kia Nurse of WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury commentated the game. Kayla Grey did the sideline reporting and Kate Beirness and Amy Audibert hosted the pregame, halftime, and postgame show.”

In a sign-and-trade with the Heat, the Raptors dealt Lowry to South Beach in exchange for veteran lead guard Goran Dragic (13.4 ppg, 4.4 apg, 37.3 3-Pt.% and forward Precious Achiuwa.

What will determine if the Raptors get back to the postseason in the spring of 2022 after a one-year absence is as mentioned will be the production they get from the other players four-eight in the playing rotation.

That might start with the All-Star in Dragic, who has made it clear that he would rather be on a team competing for a championship like he was two seasons back with the Heat.

For however long he is with the Raptors, if Dragic can play to the level he has shown in his career with the Heat and Suns he can be a very solid scorer and playmaker that would fit well with Siakam, VanVleet, and Anunoby. As well as be an ear of experience that Flynn can learn from until the organization feels comfortable giving him the keys to drive the Raptors in the future.

“The main thing I can bring is I’m a vet,” Dragic, whose entering his 14^th NBA season said of what can bring to a young Raptors team. “Experience and try to teach those young kids. Give them some support. Basically, the same thing that Steve Nash did for me when I was in Phoenix.”

As a rookie, Achiuwa was part of a veteran squad in the Heat where playing time was scarce. Here with the Raptors, the No. 20 overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Memphis is the next project in a system that developed the likes of the aforementioned VanVleet, Anunoby, and Siakam into consistent rotational players and in the case of Siakam into an All-Star.

“It’s been great,” Achiuwa said in his presser on Sept. 30 about being a Raptor so far. “I’m going against guys. Getting a feel for guys games and how they want to play. Where they like to operate from on the court. And also, finding my way within that and finding ways to impact the team.”

With their highest draft pick in 10 seasons, the Raptors at No. 4 overall selected forward Scottie Barnes out of Florida State, who 10.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.1 apg for head coach Leonard Hamilton and the Seminoles a season ago

For a team that has a philosophy of playing with high energy on both ends, that is Barnes’ game in a nutshell.

While his ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter (27 3-Pt.% and 62 FT%) consistently is a weakness currently, the qualities that gives Barnes a chance to consistently contribute right away to the Raptors because of his length; his solid court vision; versatility to guard multiple positions.

“I’m just trying to come in, bring a winning culture. Bring energy,” Barnes said at Media Day in what he hopes to bring to the court his rookie season in NBA. “Try to be impacting the game as well as I can. No matter if it’s energy, intensity, defense, offense. I’m just trying to bring it no matter what it is.”

In free agency, the Raptors re-signed Gary Trent, Jr. to a three-year, $54 million deal, with the third year being a player option. They re-signed Khem Birch to a three-year, $30 million.

They signed forward/guard Svi Mykhailiuk (8.5 ppg w/Pistons & Thunder) to a two-year, $3.6 million and signed forward/guard Isaac Bonga, who spent the last two seasons with the Wizards to a one-year, $1.6 million deal.

After a two-year absence from the NBA, Sam Dekker returns the NBA on a one-year, $1.7 million. Dekker, 27, who was drafted No. 18 overall in 2015 by the Rockets played five NBA seasons with the Rockets, Clippers, Cavaliers, and Wizards averaged 6.5 points on 47.8 percent from the field.

Two years ago, the Toronto Raptors had an identity and a lead player that embodied that identity now L.A. Clipper Kawhi Leonard and a sidekick in fellow perennial All-Star Kyle Lowry that became the heart and soul, and clear-cut leader of the team. Those two played a major role, along with Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam in the Raptors being one of the best defensive teams in the NBA and it resulted in winning their first NBA title in franchise history, and Leonard winning his second Finals MVP of his career.

Leonard bolted in free agency to return home to L.A. and signed with the Clippers, and this summer Lowry was traded to the Heat in a sign-and-trade.

While physically Leonard and Lowry are gone, the imprint of playing hard each game on the hardwood, especially defensively remains. That focus and attention to detail at the defensive end slipped some a season ago.

On top of that, the Raptors will be back in Toronto, Ontario to play their home games at Scotiabank Arena this season after not playing a real home game since Feb. 28, 2020.

Their first preseason game earlier this month marked their first home game in 584 day because COVD-19 travel restrictions imposed by Canada.

Raptors By Home Venue Last Three Seasons
2018-19: In Toronto, 32-9 record
2019-20: In Toronto, 23-9 record
2020 (restart) in Orlando, FL, 3-1 record
2020-21: Tampa, FL, 16-20 record

In their Nov. 1 tilt at the Knicks will be the 75^th Anniversary of the first ever game of the National Basketball Association between the New York Knicks and Toronto Huskies.

Brining that part of their identity back as well as the mantle of leadership will now be in the hands of the three other key players on that title team of two years ago in Pascal Siakam, who will be out to start season recovering from shoulder surgery, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby who not only have to take their games to another level on both ends of the floor. But now they have to be the foundation of the Raptors that leads them back to the playoffs and hopefully another title in the not-too-distant-future.

“It’s only just important that we got out there and we try to be who we are,” Nick Nurse, entering his fourth season as Raptors head coach said at Media Day on Sept. 27. “Well, we like to play really hard, and we like to guard really hard, and we like to attack on offense. And we like to do it on a nightly basis.”

“And that’s all I’m striving for with any team the start of any season. I sit here trying to get the team to max out its ability. That’s no different this year than it was three years ago.”

VanVleet to that saying at Media Day the Raptors “have to compete,” every game they take the court regardless of if outsiders believing in them or not and regardless how great the opponent is.

“Hopefully every team that comes in here thinks we suck and they don’t play, and we win a bunch of games and, you know, we get into the playoffs, and anything can happen when we get into the playoffs as we’ve seen.”

Best Case Scenario: The Raptors make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. Siakam, VanVleet, and Anunoby establish themselves as leaders in the locker room. Barnes makes one of two All-NBA Rookie team. The Raptors get back to being one of the best defensive teams in the league.

Worst Case Scenario: The Raptors miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

Grade: C-

Washington Wizards: 34-38 (3^rd Southeast Division; No. 8 Seed in East) 19-17 at home, 15-21 on the road. Lost 118-100 at the start of inaugural East Play-In Tournament at Boston Celtics (118-100) May 18; Won 142-115 versus the Indiana Pacers in East Play-In Tournament on May 20; Lost to No. 1 Seeded Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 in East Quarterfinals.

-116.6 ppg-3^rd; opp. ppg: 120.2-30^th; 45.2 rpg-8^th

A Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that postponed a half a dozen game early in the season. Injuries to key personnel. Horrible defense. But behind another exceptional scoring season by their All-Star guard, the Washington Wizards had a strong finish to last season and made the playoffs for the first time after a three-year absence. That playoff run was a short one as they were ousted in the opening-round in five games by the Top Seed from the city of “Brotherly Love.” With a familiar face as their new head coach; some new additions via the draft and trades in the off-season, the challenge for the Wizards for 2021-22 is to go from a team in transition to a team that can become a serious threat in the East, especially with the impending free agency of their just mentioned All-Star guard.

After eight seasons together, where they only advanced as far as the Semifinals in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Wizards ended the John Wall/Bradley Beal era by dealing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft and a First-Round draft pick to the Rockets in exchange for 2017 Kia MVP and nine-time All-Star floor general Russell Westbrook.

That optimism making the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18 season went away quickly with an 0-5 and being 7-17 after a 104-91 win versus the Celtics on Feb. 14.

Then a COVID-19 outbreak came about that postponed six games for the Wizards from Jan. 11-22, the most in the NBA a season ago.

They got back on track behind a five-game winning streak that began with that win versus the Celtics as part of an 8-3 mark their next 11 games. But a 3-12 mark their next 15 games, which included a heartbreaking 103-101 loss at the Raptors on Apr. 5 had the Wizards at 17-32 with a very slim chance of even earning a spot in the inaugural East Play-In Tournament.

A 17-6 mark their final 23 games of 2020-21, which included an eight-game winning streak from Apr. 12-25, the longest for them since 2001 earned the Wizards a spot in the Play-In Tournament to qualify for the playoffs.

That was the result of the stellar play of Beal (31.3 ppg-2^nd NBA, 4.4 rpg, 4.4 apg, 48.5 FG%), who for fourth consecutive season increased his scoring average, while finishing second in the league in scoring averaging over 30 points per game. That earned Beal his first All-NBA selection of his career, making the Third Team.

Highest Scoring Averages For Single Season In Wizards/Bullets History/Chicago Zephyrs History

PPG Season

Walt Bellamy    31.6        1961-62 for then Chicago Zephyrs
Bradley Beal     31.3        2020-21
Bradley Beal     30.5        2019-20

Only two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry of the Warriors (38) and fellow perennial All-Star guard Damian Lillard (35) registered more games scoring 30 or more in 2020-21 than the 35 by Beal. Only Curry had more games with 40 points or more than the eight by Beal. Also, Beal had two games scoring 50 points or more, which tied the Celtics Jayson Tatum a season ago. That included registering 55 of his career 60-points through three quarters on 20/35 from the field, including 7/10 from three-point range on Jan. 6 at the 76ers, which the Wizards lost 141-136. Beal became the first player in NBA history to score 55 points or more through three quarters on the road.

Most Points Entering The Fourth Quarter Last 25 NBA Seasons
                                           Points        Season
Kobe Bryant                      62            2005-06
James Harden (BKN)       60            2019-20 w/Rockets
Klay Thompson (GSW) 60            2016-17
Bradley Beal (WAS)           57 2020-21

Players To Score 55-Plus Points Through Three Quarters The Last 20 NBA Seasons
                                           Points        Year
Kobe Bryant                       62            2005
Klay Thompson (GSW)     60            2016
James Harden (BKN)        60            2019 w/Rockets
Bradley Beal (WAS) 57 2021
Kobe Bryant                       56            2002
Carmelo Anthony (LAL)  56 2014 w/Knicks

Bryant (2005) and Thompson (2016) did not play in the fourth quarter.

That game though was a microcosm of the Wizards season in the early going of 2020-21. Bradley Beal would put a big scoring night and the Wizards still lost.

To put this into context, Beal is one of five players in NBA history to have a losing record when he scores 50 points or more with a (minimum of two games played) at 2-3. The Wizards had lost their last 11 games when Beal scored 40 points or more before his 43-point performance on 16/24 shooting, including 4/6 from three-point range in his team’s 131-122 win on Mar. 18 versus the Jazz. In fact, the Wizards have gone 2-13 their last 15 games that Beal has scored 40-plus points.

Most Consecutive Losses When A Player Scores 40 Points In NBA History
Bradley Beall: 11 straight losses
Walt Bellamy: 9 straight losses
Wilt Chamberlin: 8 straight losses
Wilt Chamberlin: 8 straight losses

To put into context how important Beal’s presence in the Wizards lineup was in 2020-21, the were 32-28 with him in the lineup, which included a 17-3 mark the final 20 games of last season. They were just 2-10 with Beal out of the lineup.

Another reason that then head coach Scott Brooks’ squad play got behind the eight ball at the start of 2020-21 was of their abysmal play at the defensive end as they ranked tied with the Magic for 20^th in opponent’s field goal percentage (47.1 percent). Were No. 19 in opponent’s three-point percentage (36.9 percent); ranked No. 18 in steals per contest (7.3); ranked second to last in block shots per game (4.1); had the No. 17 rebounding differential (-0.8).

They also deal with injuries losing starting center Thomas Bryant (14.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 64.8 FG% 42.9 3-Pt.%), who missed the final 62 games of 2020-21 with a partially torn ACL in his left knee sustained in the Wizards 128-124 loss against the Heat on Jan. 9.

They also lost forward Deni Avdija (6.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg), the final 14 games, 18 missed games in total of his rookie season due to a right ankle fracture sustained in the Wizards 118-114 win versus the Warriors on Apr. 21.

This meant the likes of Rui Hachimura (13.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 47.8 FG%), Davis Bertans (11.5 ppg, 39.5 3-Pt.%), and Raul Neto (8.7 ppg, 46.8 FG%, and 39.0 Pt.%) had to step up and they did.

Hachimura in his second NBA season in 2020-21 in his 43 games scoring in double-figures registered 20 games scoring 20 points or more, including nine games scoring 20 or more from Mar. 13 to the close of the regular season.

After two straight seasons of shooting 42.9 percent from three-point range with the Spurs and 42.4 percent from distance the previous season with the Wizards in 2019-20, Bertans continues his high marksmanship from three-point range, hitting 39.5 percent of his threes a season ago. He made a total of 169 triples season ago, his third consecutive season with over 140 made threes, after making a total of 200 and 145 threes the previous two seasons.

For his first five NBA seasons with the Jazz (2015-19) and 76ers in 2019-20, Neto was player that saw spot duty. In his first season with the Wizards, he made himself into a key contributor in their playing rotation, which resulted in a career-highs in points per game and field goal percentage. The No. 47 overall pick by the Hawks in 2015 was part of the bench that was No. 5 in scoring average in the league (39.3). When he scored 12 points or more, the Wizards went 12-7 a season ago.

To beef up their presence in the front court, the Wizards at the Mar. 25 trade deadline in a three-team deal with the Bulls and Celtics acquired forward/center Daniel Gafford (7.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 68.4 FG% w/Bulls & Wizards) along with forward Chandler Hutchison, sending Moritz Wagner to the Celtics and forward/guard Troy Brown, Jr. to the Bulls.

Gafford from the moment he stepped into D.C. brought energy, toughness, rebounding, and a physicality that the Wizards were in desperate search of in the paint on both ends of the court.

With more playing time, Gafford went from averaging 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds to 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds with the Wizards along with 1.8 block shots on 68.1 percent from the floor. In the Wizards aforementioned win back in April versus the Warriors, Gafford had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds with three blocks. It was one of his three games with 10 rebounds or more for the Wizards after registering one such game with the Bulls.

Gafford contributed to the Wizards ranking fifth in points in the paint per game at 52.8 a season ago.

In their first chance to clinch a spot in the playoffs, the Wizards fell at Celtics on May 18 118-100 as they were outscored 66-46 in the second half. Beal had 22 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the Wizards, but was just 10/25 shooting.

While they outscored the Celtics 56-38 in the paint and 45-20 in bench points, the Wizards had 15 turnovers that led to 20 Celtics points and were just 3/21 from three-point range, with the three made triples representing a season-low.

They closed a once 22-point gap to 91-84 early in the fourth quarter but got no closer.

The Wizards ended their three-year playoff drought with a resounding 142-115 win versus the Pacers two nights later to claim in the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the East.

As they did during their three regular season tilts against the Pacers, the Wizards outscored the Pacers in the paint by a wide margin, to the tune of 72-40. They outscored the Pacers 16-5 in fastbreak points; 63-43 in bench points and had nine block shots.

Counting the three matchups in the regular season and the results of the Play-In game, the Wizards outscored the Pacers 308-220 in the paint and 88-40 in fastbreak points winning three of the four matchups.

Beal had 25 points, going 4.7 from three-point range, while Gafford had 15 points, 13 rebounds, and five block shots, all in the first half. Neto contributed 14 points.

Gafford became the first Wizards play with at least five block shots in a half since JaVale McGee did it in 2011.

The Wizards first playoff appearance in three seasons was a shot one as the top seeded 76ers took them out in five games.

They lost Game 1 (125-118) despite outscoring the 76ers 76-58 in the paint; had 18 fastbreak points; and outscored the 76ers reserves 38-26. The Wizards though had 16 turnovers. Only getting to the foul line 15 times, going 12/15 compared to the 76ers going 23/33 at the charity stripe and going just 8/20 from three-point range.

Beal led the way in defeat with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists on 13/23 shooting.

It did not get any better in Game 2 as a 2/22 marksmanship from three-point range; going 19/30 (63.3 percent) at the charity stripe and shooting just 40.2 percent from the floor (37/92) did the 76ers in the 120-95 loss to fall behind 0-2 in the series.

It was their 11 consecutive loss at the 76ers and dropped them to 0-5 overall on the season against the No. 1 Seed in the East.

Beal had 24 of his 33 points in the opening half of Game 2 on 14/28 from the floor, as the 29-point margin of defeat was their worst playoff loss at home in franchise history.

It got much worse back home as the Wizards fell 132-103 in Game 3 to trail the series 3-0.

While Beal had 25 points, he went just 10/26 from the field, including 1/8 from three-point range, the rest of the starters stunk up the Capitol One Arena as well combining for just 31 points on 11/26 from the floor, and just 1/6 from three-point range.

Staring at the prospect of getting swept, the Wizards overcame an early 11-point deficit in the first quarter outscored the Wizards 32-19 in the third quarter and closed the game on a 12-4 with the scored tied 110-110 to earn a 122-114 win versus 76ers in Game 4, snapping a five-game playoff losing streak.

Beal again led the way with 27 points, but he got help from his teammates compared to Game 3 as Hachimura had 20 points and 11 rebounds, going 3/6 from three-point range. Bertans, who did not play in the second half (strained right calf) had 15 points going 3/6 from three-point range, and Gafford had 12 points and five blocks.

Entering Game 4, the Wizards were outscored the first three games of the series by 23 points in the first period; by nine points in the second period; by 16 points; and by 18 points in the fourth quarter.

In Game 4, the Wizards outscored the 76ers by three points in the opening period; by two points in the second quarter; by 13 points in the third quarter; and by four points in the final quarter.

They also outscored the 76ers 48-40 in the paint; 21-7 in fastbreak points; were 33/42 at the foul line; and had 12 block shots.

The Wizards 2020-21 season concluded with a 119-112 loss at 76ers in Game 5 as they were outscored 64-49 in the second half, including 26-18 in the fourth quarter as they trailed by as many as 21 points. Beal in the loss had 32 points with seven boards and five assists on 10/10 at the foul line, while Hachimura had 21 points.

One big decision that faced the Wizards during the offseason was to resign Coach Brooks, whose five-year, $35 million contract expired.

When the two sides could not reach an agreement, both sides felt it was time to move on, which meant the Wizards had an opening at head coach.

While the Wizards reached the East Semis in 2017, Coach Brooks’ first season as head coach in D.C. where they fell to the Celtics in seven games, they did not get further than that in their next to playoff appearances in 2018 and this past postseason.

“Our organization will always be grateful to Scott for his dedication and work both on and off the court, and in the community over the past five years and I personally admire and respect how he helped keep our team together during the unexpected events of the last 15 months,” Wizards GM Tommy Shepard said on June 16 about Brooks, who compiled a 183-207 mark with Wizards.

“We have been committed to taking the proper steps over the last two seasons to develop young players, bring in pieces to compliment Bradley Beal and build a winning environment that will ultimately lead to sustained on-court success.”

In the middle of July, the Wizards found Coach Brooks’ successor in hiring Wes Unseld, Jr. as the team’s new head coach on a four-year deal.

“This is truly an honor to get an NBA coaching job-and certainly for it to happen here makes it much more special,” Unseld, Jr. said at his introductory presser flanked by GM Sheppard and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Monumental Sports and Entertainment Ted Leonsis.

“Becoming a head coach in the NBA is a goal I have pursued my entire adult life and to have that dream realized by coming full circle back to Washington is truly special. I look forward to representing the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) Metropolitan area connecting with our fans and establishing a new standard for Wizards’ basketball.”

The name should sound familiar because the Wizards new head coach is the son of Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, who also coached the then Bullets first as an assistant (1987-88) and was the head coach from 1988-94, guiding the Wizards to playoffs only once in his seven seasons as their GM (1996-2003), he was instrumental in helping build the Capital One Arena, which brought the Wizards back to downtown D.C. a quarter of a century (25 seasons) ago.

The hiring of Unseld, Jr. as the team’s new head coach is the culmination of a 24-year climb from nine years as a personnel and advance scout for the organization, to being an assistant coach for the Wizards (2005-11) for six seasons. The Warriors (2011-12) for a season. Three seasons with the Magic (2012-15) and the last five with the Nuggets (2015-21) on head coach Michael Malone’s staff.

Over the last two seasons, Sheppard has been able to improve the Wizards roster with some solid trades, especially with the acquisition of Westbrook last off-season, while also finding gems in the draft.

The Wizards hope they found another with the selection of forward/guard Corey Kispert, who they selected No. 15 overall out of Gonzaga University in the 2021 draft in late July.

In an era where teams want to draft players based on potential as they enter the draft after one year of college, the Wizards selected a player who after winning to state titles in high school helped the Bulldogs 92 percent of their games in his four seasons, the highest winning percentage in the last 25 years.

The 2020-21 Consensus First-Team All-American averaged 18.6 points and five boards on 44 percent from three-point range in helping the Bulldogs reach the NCAA title game, where they lost to the Baylor University Bears.

He is arguably the best shooter in this year’s draft not just from three-point range, where he made 91 threes a season ago, but is an excellent shooter on pullups, and spot ups. Is an excellent cutter, solid defender and brings a high IQ.

“Just year-in and year-out getting better. Of working hard, failing, trying again, failing again,” Kispert said to ESPN’s Malika Andrews after getting drafted about his four-year career at Gonzaga. “I have so much maturity and experience underneath my belt that I feel like I can take on whatever the league throws at me.”

In a five-team deal with the Nets, Spurs, Pacers and Lakers, the Wizards acquired guard Spencer Dinwiddie via a sign-and-trade on a new three-year, $62 million deal.

In that same deal, the Wizards acquired from the Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (12.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 36.1 3-Pt.% w/Lakers), guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (9.7 ppg, 41.0 3-Pt.%), and forward/center Montrezl Harrell (13.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 62.2 FG%-5^th NBA w/Lakers) in exchange for Russell Westbrook.

The Wizards also acquired from the Pacers the draft rights to forward Isaiah Todd (No. 31 overall pick) from the NBA G League’s Ignite and guard Aaron Holiday (7.2 ppg, 36.8 3-Pt.% w/Pacers).

The dealt Hutchison to the Spurs along with a 2022 Second-Round pick, which will allow the Wizards to remain out of the luxury tax for next season.

Last season, Dinwiddie, 28 missed all but three games in 2020-21 with the Nets after partially tearing his ACL in right knee in December 2020 that required season-ending surgery.

The Wizards hope that Dinwiddie returns to the form where he set career-highs of 20.8 points and 6.8 assists.

On the August 18 edition of ESPN’s “NBA: The Jump,” Dinwiddie told Andrews, Richard Jefferson, and Kendrick Perkins that he progressed in his rehab to playing one-on-one and two-on-two. He did not proceed to five-on-five as a sign of precaution until he signed his new deal with the Wizards.

He has been able to get back on the floor for the start of training camp and is progressing towards being ready for the start of the regular season.

On teaming up with Beal, Dinwiddie said that his job is to “compliment” Beal in anyway he can.

“I am combo [guard]. A little bit of a departure Russ and John obviously. But have been an efficient, effective playmaker my time in Brooklyn, and look to bring some of that to D.C.,” Dinwiddie said.

He added in his Zoom interview in late September that his job as a point guard and one of the “leaders” of the Wizards to make the game easier on all of his teammates.

“That’s how I view the point guard position,” Dinwiddie said. “Everyone has their own viewpoint. The reason why I said I want to learn first is because that allows me to make the game easier on them because people have their own style, right. And I would rather adapt to them in a lot of ways than them adapt to me.”

Along with adapting to playing with Beal, Bertans, Neto, who was re-signed on a one-year, $1.6 million deal, Avdija, and Gafford, Dinwiddie will have three other new players in Kuzma, Caldwell-Pope, and Harrell to adapt to.

While Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope were major parts of the Lakers winning their 17^th title in franchise history two years ago, they enter this upcoming season with a lot to prove.

Kuzma for his entire career with the Lakers had his moments, but in eyes of his critics felt he could do more. No longer in the shadow of LeBron James and Anthony Davis where he had to play a certain role will have a chance to be the best version of himself in D.C.

“I’m super excited,” Kuzma said back in the middle of August about joining the Wizards. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me individually. Just to kind of just keep growing as a player. Keep growing as a person, you know.”

“Being someone that I’ve kind of not used to taking the back seat the last couple of years. But it was a great experience for me to learn from some great players, great vets, great players. And you know now, I really have the opportunity to just expand myself.”

This trade reunites Caldwell-Pope with Beal, who he has known since age 15 and said its “going to be fun” to play alongside his best friend. He also said that is going to be to play with Dinwiddie, where the two were brief teammates a few years ago with the Pistons.

“Just to get the opportunity to get to play with him that I didn’t get in Detroit, you know. And just seeing him grow over the years. His season that he had in Brooklyn [2019-20], I’m excited,” Caldwell-Pope said back on Aug. 11 in his Zoom presser.

For Harrell, two years he was the Kia Sixth Man of the Year with the Clippers. A season ago with the Lakers, there were times he was a major part of the playing rotation and as the season wound down, he barely played.

He sees this opportunity with the Wizards as an opportunity to be part of a team that he said will be “a very exciting team” to watch that plans to shock a lot of people.

The Wizards success for this season and their future all revolves around what happens with Beal, who became eligible to sign a four-year, $181 million contract extension at the start of this month.

If he waits until the end of the season, Beal would be eligible to re-sign with the Wizards on a five-year, $242 million deal. If he were to sign with a new team when he becomes an unrestricted free agent the summer of 2022, he would be eligible to sign a four-year, $179 million deal.

“We worry about the contract money and all that later,” Beal said to The Washington Post at the start of October. “I’ll let them deal with it when the time comes, for sure. I got all year to sign, too. So, I’m not rushing.”

When it comes to the new additions, Beal said to NBATV’s Dennis Scott on Media Day that he is “super thrilled.” But that it will still be an “adjustment period” to start this season with a whole new coaching staff to go along with the new players added.

As far as what he worked on to improve his game in the off-season, Beal said that he worked on his shooting range; his ball-handling; reads off of pick-and-rolls; reading double-teams; and his three-point accuracy, which was at a career-low 34.9 percent in 2020-21.

“I face a lot of double teams and stuff like that. So, I have to be able to get off the ball and make better passes,” Beal said to Scott.

When it comes to being the full-fledged leader now of the Wizards, Beal said to Scott that he is “excited” for the opportunity to help mold this team and push it towards the playoffs this spring.

For the past few years, the Washington Wizards have been a team in transition. While they have had their moments of being a team that could be a factor in the East led by Bradley Beal and John Wall for nearly a decade, never got that level of being a championship contender mainly because of injuries to Wall. In one year of Westbrook and Beal, they only managed to just make the playoffs and were out in the opening-round.

General Manager Tommy Sheppard has done all he can in two seasons to try to build the Wizards into a team that can make the playoffs. This season will go a long way into determining if Beat stays and the Wizards can continue to build themselves into a team that is a playoff perennial and a threat in the Eastern Conference.

“Now that’s no longer acceptable,” Sheppard said about just making the playoffs and going out in the First-Round. “We have to be much better next season and we will.”

Best Case Scenario: The Wizards are competing for a playoff spot above the Play-In line. Beal has another All-NBA season and signs the extension next summer. The Wizards bench is a top scoring bench again. Their defense improves. Unseld, Jr. is a Coach of the Year candidate.

Worst Case Scenario: Wizards miss the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five seasons. They continue to struggle defensively. Beal more than likely leaves in free agency.

Grade: B-

Western Conference

Dallas Mavericks: 42-30 (1^st Southwest Division; No. 5 Seed in West) 21-15 at home, 21-15 on the road. Lost to No. 4 Seeded Los Angeles 4-3 in West Quarterfinals

-112.4 ppg-17^th; opp. ppg: 111.1-13^th; 43.3 rpg-21^st

Behind one of the league’s rising stars, the Dallas Mavericks have reached the postseason in back-to-back seasons after a three-year absence. The play of “Big D’s” though has not been enough to take down L.A.’s other team in six and seven games respectably. With a new GM and new head coach, who played eight of his 19 NBA seasons in “Big D,” including leading them to their lone title a decade ago, the challenge for the Mavericks in 2021-22 is for their star player, their talented yet often injured big man to get on the same page and lead the Mavericks back to the top of NBA mountain.

After a 9-14 start to last season, the Mavericks finished the regular season with a 32-16 close, which included a 12-5 mark their final 17 games, with a 9-3 record their final 12 games mixed in. That final stretch also included an 11-6 mark their final 17 home games after a 10-9 beginning at American Airlines Arena.

The engine of the Mavericks finishing kick following their slow start was two-time All-Star guard Luka Doncic (27.7 ppg-6^th NBA, 8.6 apg-5^th NBA, 8.0 rpg), who shot a career-highs of 47.9 FG% and 35.0 percent from three-point range. The 2018-19 Kia Rookie of the Year from Ljubljana, Slovenia also registered 26 double-doubles, including 11 triple-doubles (4^th NBA), giving him a franchise-leading 36 career triple-doubles, the second most in a players first three seasons in NBA.

While he is in the infancy of his NBA career, Doncic has already etched his name into not just the Mavericks history books, but the NBA’s as well.

Doncic’s earned him his second straight All-NBA First Team selection, becoming the first player to make All-NBA First Team at least twice in his first three NBA seasons since Hall of Famer of the Spurs Tim Duncan (1997-98 to 1999-00). Doncic also joined Hall of Famer Rick Barry, Nets’ Kevin Durant, and Max Zaslofsky and the four players in NBA history to earn multiple All-NBA First Team selections before the age of 23.

His seven career games with at least 40 points and 10 assists are the most in franchise history. Doncic’s 25.7 career scoring average so far is the fifth highest all-time through a player’s first three NBA seasons.

In the Mavericks 143-130 win versus the Mavericks, Doncic had a career-high of 46 points, with 12 assists and eight boards on 17/30 from the field, including 5/8 from three-point range. The 46 points were the most in a game since future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki.

With seven first quarter points in the Mavericks 110-90 win versus Cavaliers on May 7, Doncic became the 4^th youngest player at 22 years and 68 days in NBA history to register 5,000 career points, joining the Lakers’ LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant.

Youngest At Time Of Reaching 5,000 Career Points In NBA History
                                                Years/Days       Team           Year
LeBron James (LAL)               21/22            Cavaliers       2006
Kevin Durant (BKN)               22/133           Thunder        2010
Carmelo Anthony (LAL)        21/292           Nuggets         2006
Luka Doncic                             22/68            Mavericks      2021
Dwight Howard (LAL)            22/81              Magic           2008

Players To Average 25-Plus Points, 5-Plus Assists, 5-Plus Rebounds Per Game In Age 21 Season

Michael Jordan: 1984-85 w/Bulls
LeBron James (LAL): 2005-26 w/Cavaliers
Luka Doncic (DAL): 2020-21

The Mavericks turnaround last season was also engineered by a career-year from Tim Hardaway, Jr., who averaged 16.6 points on 39.1 percent from three-point range.

In the final eight games of the regular season, the son of Tim Hardaway, Sr. went 39/83 from three-point range the final. His totaled 204 threes made in 2020-21, making it back-to-back seasons Hardaway, Jr. has made 200 or more triples.

In the Mavericks 127-113 win at the Heat on May 4, Hardaway, Jr. scored 36 points on 13/24 from the field, including 10/18 from three-point range. The 10 made threes not only set a new career-high, Hardaway, Jr. tied George McCloud (1995) and Wesley Matthews (2015) for the most made three-pointers in a game in franchise history. Hardaway, Jr. also joined former Knick JR Smith (2014) and the Clippers’ Paul George (2019) as the three players to make 10 threes in a game against the Heat.

On Apr. 29 in the 127-113 win by the Mavericks at the Pistons scored a career-high 42 points on 13/23 shooting, including 6/10 from three-point range.

Behind Doncic and Hardaway, Jr., the Mavericks went 22-6 a season ago when they registered 25-plus assists and 24-7 when they registered 15 or more made three-pointers.

As important as Doncic and Hardaway were, the play of the likes of Dorian Finney-Smith (9.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), who shot career-best 47.2 percent from the floor and 39.4 percent from three-point range and Jalen Brunson (12.6 ppg, 52.3 FG%, 40.5 3-Pt.%), who scoring punch off the bench and ability to play both guard positions allows Doncic to be the focal point at the offensive end, especially late in games.

Dorian Finney-Smith’s Three-Point Percentage By Season

2016-17: 29.3 3-Pt.%
2017-18: 29.9 3-Pt.%
2018-19: 31.1 3-Pt.%
2019-20: 37.6 3-Pt.%
2020-21: 39.1 3-Pt.%

The consistency of Doncic, Hardaway, Jr., Finney-Smith, and Brunson was need, especially early in the season in the absences due to injury and health and safety protocols by Kristaps Porzingis (20.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 47.6 FG%-career-high), Maxi Kleber (7.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 41.0 3-Pt.%), Trey Burke (6.6 ppg, 35.4 3-Pt.%), Dwight Powell (5.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 61.9 FG%) Boban Marjanovic, and Willie Cauley-Stein (5.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 63.2 FG%).

After finally being able to get back on the floor after missing the previous season because of knee surgery, Porzingis average 19.2 points on 42 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range, which down from what he averaged in the restart in Orlando of 28.2 points on 49 percent from the floor and 42 percent from three-point range.

Unfortunately, Porzingis injury issues resurfaced again in 2020-21 missing the first nine games of last season recovering from offseason surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his right knee. In total, Porzingis, who had 16 double-doubles and made 97 triples in 2020-21, missed 19 games due to back tightness, sprained left ankle, and right knee soreness.

Games Missed By Kristaps Porzingis First Five NBA Seasons

2015-16: 10 missed games w/Knicks
2016-17: 6 missed games w/Knicks
2017-18: 24 missed games w/Knicks
2018-19: 82 missed games w/Knicks & Mavericks
2019-20: 15 missed games w/Mavericks
2020-21: 19 missed games w/Mavericks

Porzingis inability to be available has hindered any kind of on court chemistry between him and Doncic.

When Porzingis played in 2020-21, the Mavericks went 26-17 (16-13 without Porzingis). With Porzingis and Doncic in the lineup together, the Mavericks went 24-17 (18-13 without either Porzingis or Doncic).

Other Mavericks Total Missed Games 2020-21

Dorian Finney-Smith: 12 missed games
Maxi Kleber: 22 missed games
Tim Hardaway, Jr.: 12 missed games
Willie Cauley-Stein: 19 missed games
Trey Burke: 10 missed games
Dwight Powell: 14 missed games
Boban Marjanovic: 39 missed games

In a rematch of last season’s First Round tilt with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Mavericks struck first winning Game 1 in L.A. 113-103 in a game where they led by as many as 12 points in the opening period and closed out their first Game 1 victory in a playoff series in 10 seasons the game on a 18-5 run, snapping a 10-game Game 1 losing streak.

Doncic led the way with his second career 30-point triple-double and third triple-double overall in his seventh career playoff game with 31 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds on 11/24 from the field, including 5/11 from three-point range. Hardaway, Jr. had 21 points hitting 5 of his 9 threes and Finney-Smith had 18 points on 4/5 from three-point range. Brunson added 15 points.

The Mavericks went 17/36 from three-point range in the victory.

Youngest Players With 30-Point Triple-Double In NBA Playoff History

LeBron James (LAL) 21 years, 113 days in 2006 w/Cavaliers
Luka Doncic (DAL): 21 years, 177 days in 2020
Luka Doncic (DAL): 22 years 83 days in 2021

The fireworks from long range continued for the Mavericks as they went 18/34 from three-point range in taking down the Clippers in their arena again 127-121 in Game 2, to take a 2-0 series lead.

In a high scoring affair where the Mavericks outlasted the Clippers 127-121 to go up in the series 2-0.

After leading 73-71 at the half, the Mavericks seized control by outscoring the Clippers 30-19 in the third period, were up by as many as 13 points in the final period. They sealed the win with four straight made free throws the final 21 seconds of regulation to hold off to hold off the Clippers.

Doncic led the way again with 39 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds on 16/29 shooting, including 5/13 from three-point range. Hardaway, Jr. had 28 points on 6/8 from three-point range, while Porzingis added 20 points, hitting three of his four attempts from three-point range.

The Mavericks had the tables turned on them as the Clippers took them down in their gym winning Game 3 (118-108) and Game 4 (106-81) to square the series 2-2.

The Mavericks lost Game 3 by getting outscored 107-78 after getting out the gates 30-11 in the early portion of the opening period.

While the Mavericks went 20/39 from three-point range, they managed to just go 12/18 from the charity stripe in Game 3.

Doncic had playoff career-high of 44 points with nine assists and nine rebounds on 15/28 shooting, including 7/13 from three-point range. Kleber (4/7 3-Pt.) and Brunson (4.6 3-Pt.) each scored 14 points. But Hardaway came back down to earth in Game 3 with just 12 points.

Porzingis after scoring six points in the opening period, had just three points the final three quarters going 3/10 from the field in Game 3, while Finney-Smith had just six points also on 3/10 shooting, including 0/3 from three-point range.

In the Game 4 setback, Doncic had just 19 points with six assists and six rebounds on 9/24 shooting, including 1/7 from three-point range, and 0/5 at the foul line and Porzginis had 18 points.

The Mavericks and Doncic found their offensive groove in Game 5 taking down the Clippers again in their gym 105-100, going 14/36 from three-point range after going just 5/30 from long distance in Game 4.

Doncic had 42 points, 14 assists (playoff career-high), and eight rebounds on 17/37 from the field, including 6/12 from three-point range. Hardaway chipped in with 20 points and seven boards hitting three triples. Doncic scored or assisted on 31 of the Mavericks 37 field goals in Game 5.

In position to reach the West Semis for the first time in a decade in front of their home fans at American Airlines Center, the Mavericks collapsed in the fourth quarter getting outscored 31-20 in the 104-97 loss versus the Clippers, sending the series back to L.A. for Game 7.

The Mavericks were just 7/24 from the field, including 3/12 from three-point range in the final period and were outrebounded 15-8. They shot overall 41.6 percent from the field, including 11/34 from three-point range in Game 6.

While Doncic was spectacular again with 29 points, 11 assists, eight boards, and four steals on 11/24 shooting, he was just 2/9 from three-point range. Hardaway, Jr. had 23 points, but was just 4/11 from distance. Finney-Smith had 11 points and seven boards, going 3/7 from three-point range.

The Mavericks hung tough with the Clippers for a while in Game 7, but ultimately were outlasted in falling 126-111 to lose the series in seven games.

Doncic in the loss had 29 of his 46 points in the first half, 14 assists, and seven rebounds on 17/30 from the floor, including 5/11 from three-point range. Finney-Smith added 18 points and 10 rebounds on 4/7 from three-point range. Porzingis also had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Marjanovic had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Hardaway, Jr. finished the series with a dud with just 11 points going 1/9 from three-point range.

The Mavericks as a team were just 10/36 from three-point range in Game 7 and 11/17 at the foul line, which included a 7/11 effort from Doncic, who went 27/51 at the foul line for the series (52.9 percent).

Doncic In Game 7 At Clippers
-Fell one point shy of tying the most points scored in Game 7 in NBA Playoff history.

-Tied for the second most points scored in a loss in Game 7 in NBA Playoff history.

-Became the youngest player at age 22 to average 35 points (35.7 points, 10.3 assists, 7.9 rebounds) in a single postseason in NBA history.

-His 35.7 scoring average in the series against Clippers is the most in a single postseason by a player at age 22 or younger, and the youngest at age 22 to average 35 points in a single postseason in NBA history.

-Joined Russell Westbrook as the only players in NBA history to average 35 points and 10 assists in a playoff series in NBA history.

Another First-Round setback Offseason saw surprising and unexpected change for the Mavericks both in the front office and on their sideline.

After 24 years with the Mavericks, where he worked his way up to being their GM, the Mavericks in the middle of June parted ways with Donnie Nelson, the son of Hall of Famer and Mavericks head coach Don Nelson. One day later, Rick Carlisle stepped down after 13 seasons of being the head coach in “Big D,” where he led the Mavericks to the only title with a six-game victory over the LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh led Heat in 2011 Finals.

In late June, the longtime Mavericks’ Governor Mark Cuban and the Mavericks front office hired the starting guard on that title team in Hall of Famer, 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, and nine-time All-Defensive Team selection Jason Kidd as the 10^th head coach in franchise history as well as hired longtime Nike executive Nico Harrison as their new General Manager and President of Basketball Operations.

In five seasons as the Nets and Bucks head coach, Kidd, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach on Frank Vogel’s staff with Lakers, including their title squad in 2019-20 compiled a record of 183-190 record (.491), and had a 9-15 mark (.375) in his three playoff appearances

One of big reasons that Kidd, who was drafted by the Mavericks back No. 2 overall in 1994, was hired as their new head coach is because they felt he was the best person who can take Doncic to the next level in terms being able to mesh his game within a team concept to where he is making the others around him better. Very similar to what he did for the Bucks when he coached Giannis Antetokounmpo in the early part of his career.

“My job is to help make the game easier for him. Understanding the game. Understanding how to get guys going. Become a better leader,” Kidd said to Rachel Nichols, Richard Jefferson, and Kendrick Perkins on the July 21 edition of ESPN’s “NBA: The Jump” about Doncic.

“He’s already a leader at 22. But to help him with that leadership quality. Help him in every aspect of the game to try to make it easy. That’s what we did with Giannis in Milwaukee.”

The two will have some time to build their player/coach relationship as Doncic in the middle of August singed a five-year, $207 million rookie supermax contract extension, the largest rookie extension ever signed in NBA history. Doncic’s new deal kicks starts in the 2022-23 season, keeping Doncic under contract through the summer of 2027.

This moment was so big for the Mavericks, their top brass from Cuban, to the team’ special advisor in future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki and Coach Kidd flew to Slovenia to give Doncic the contract to sign.

This is on the heels of playing really well for the Slovenian National Basketball squad at 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, their first Olympic games.

“It was a really special moment, especially everybody took their time to come to my country, which is not pretty close. It’s really far. So, it was really special, and I was really excited it happened,” Doncic told NBATV’s Dennis Scott on Media Day on Sept. 27.

When asked by Scott how excited he is to work with Jason Kidd, Doncic said that he is “very excited” to work with Kidd because of the fact that he played at the “highest level” in during his NBA career.

Another big to do for Kidd is to get Doncic and Porzingis, who Kidd took time to visit in Latvia this summer on the same page. In talking with Nichols, Jefferson, and Perkins, Kidd said that both Doncic and Porzingis have a unique way of putting the ball in the basket, particularly Porzingis with his ability to stretch the defense by shooting as far as half court.

That being said, getting Porzingis to mix his game up where he can shoot from the perimeter and shoot at a consistent rate down low whether off a straight post-up or dive to the basket.

Kidd said that is how he remembers Porzingis in watching highlights of his time with the Knicks where he was posturizing people at the rim and getting him back to playing that type of way is a top priority as well as keeping him healthy.

“I think he’s in better shape both mentally and physically,” Doncic said to Scott about Porzingis entering this season. “When we’re playing pickup, he couldn’t miss a shot. So, like I said, especially mentally, he’s here. He’s doing better, and I think he’ll have a great season.”

Along with being a more consistent presence offensively, the Mavericks hope it leads Porzingis to play just as aggressive at the defensive end, which will make the Mavericks a better defensive team.

A season ago, the Mavericks were 26-2 when holding opponents to 108 points or less, including 20-1 when they allowed 104 points or less. They were 27-0 in 2020-21 when leading after the opening-quarter and 39-2 when leading by 10-plus points at any point in the game.

Kristaps Porzingis Last Two Postseasons
2020              2021
23.7   PPG    13.1
  8.7   RPG    5.4
53% FG%   47%
53% 3-Pt.% 30%

“I think his goal is to put me in the situations where I can be the best player, you know. Take the most out of my skill set. And that’s extremely important,” Porzingis said at Media Day on how he will be utilized on both ends of the floor by Kidd and the new coaching staff in 2021-22. “That’s also for me that gives me confidence.”

Porzingis also said that in Kidd’s system on offensive where Porzingis will be used more on the box instead of just primarily a spacer at the three-point line under Coach Carlisle.

“I learned a lot of things. I adjusted my game as I needed to. But I’m looking forward to being utilized the best way,” Porzingis added about how Kidd will utilize his unique offensive skill set this season.

Kidd also mentioned in his interview with Nichols, Jefferson, and Perkins that he feels very “lucky” to call the Mavericks new GM Nico Harrison as a “teammate.”

“He wants to build a championship team. He knows how to build and to build a winner,” Kidd added about Harrison in what he did as a representative of Nike. “I think we’re very lucky to have him as part of our team, and I can’t wait to see what he does this summer.”

“This is a very important summer for him. His first summer and I know he’s going to get the right pieces for us to compete for a championship.”

The Mavericks under Harrison began building that championship puzzle in early August, by re-signing Hardaway, Jr. on a new four-year, $72 million deal as well as Boban Marjanovic to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. They also picked up the $4.1 million team option on Cauley-Stein.

Hardaway, Jr. saw up close the kind of player Kidd was growing up, particularly during the 2011 Finals against the Heat and called his style of play “awesome” from his high IQ, to how he consistently got his teammates involved to how he became one of the top three-point shooters in terms of makes in NBA history. His aforementioned dad, Tim Hardaway, Sr. and Kidd were teammates on the 2000 Olympic squad that took home Gold in Sydney Australia.

“It was great just to finally see him, you know, become a coach now with us. And hopefully we get the job done,” Hardaway, Jr. said at Media Day on Kidd becoming his head coach.

When it came to adding to the roster, Harrison and the Mavericks front office put their focus on deepening the backcourt with the additions of Mavericks signed Sterling Brown (8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 44.8 FG%, 42.3 3-Pt.% w/Rockets) and Reggie Bullock (10.9 ppg, 41.0 3-Pt.%) to deals of two years at $3.2 million and three years at $30 million respectably. They also signed former Knicks’ guard Frank Ntilikina to a two-year, $3.8 million deal.

The additions of Bullock and Ntilikina give the Mavericks guys who can defend on the perimeter, which should allow Porzingis to be a better rim protector, again if he remains healthy. Also, Bullock, and Brown will provide more floor spacing with their ability to make threes at a high clip.

“I like the challenge of guarding the other team’s best player. I take great pride in that,” Bullock said at Media Day on being able to bring a defensive tenacity on the perimeter as well as being able to make threes for the Mavericks. “I do anything the coach need me to do. So, Whether that’s starting or coming off the bench, whatever it is to take that next level to get out to get out of the position they were in last year. And just overall become a better defensive team.”

Brown, a Texas native who played collegiately for Southern Methodist University (SMU) said at his introductory presser on Aug. 27 that he knows how Mavericks nation gets behind this team and the “only” thing on his mind is bring another title back to “Big D,” especially after the season with the Rockets where he got consistent minutes.

“It was good to show what I can do more consistently,” Brown said about his play last season with the Rockets. “I’m always improving my game, getting better from last year to now.”

In a late July trade with the Celtics, the Mavericks acquired center Moses Brown (8.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 54.4 FG% w/Thunder) and a future Second Round pick in exchange for guard Josh Richardson.

One of the things that the Mavericks did not have when Porzingis was out of the lineup is they lost not a guy that was floor spacer who can score down low and can rebound at a high level, but their rim protection really went down with him out due to injury or when he was on the sidelines.

Last season, Brown with the Thunder showed at times he can be a force in the paint with his ability to rim run; attack the glass at both ends as well as protect the rim after he put that on full display for their G League affiliate the Oklahoma City Blue averaging 18.5 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 1.9 block shots in 26.4 minutes.

In his first chance at playing consistent minutes, Brown produced 12 double-doubles in 43 games with the Thunder, which included then career-highs of 21 points and 23 rebounds in his former team’s 111-94 loss versus the Celtics on Mar. 27. In the Thunder’s season-finale 117-112 win versus the Clippers on May 16, Brown had a new career-high of 24 points with 18 rebounds and a career-high seven blocks.

“Shooting is important. But also, we got to play a little defense, right. And when you look at the guys up here, they can do that too,” Kidd said at the introductory presser for Sterling, and Moses Brown, Bullock, and Hardaway, Jr. about how they checked the Mavericks boxes of shooting and defending. “As much as we’ll talk about offense, to win championships, you got to play defense. And so, that’s what these guys check the box when we talk about playing defense.”

Along with the players that were either re-signed or signed, the Mavericks also added some key people to their coaching staff with new assistant coaches in former Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov and current guard for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks Kristi Toliver, who spent the last two seasons an assistant coach for the Wizards.

It has been a decade since the Mavericks held the Larry O’Brien trophy. They have not won a playoff series since.

The Mavericks made some serious changes in both their front office and on the bench to get them back to that level they were at 10 years ago. They committed to the player that they hope can get them there in Luka Doncic. The hope now is that he and Kristaps Porzingis and the rest of the team from the holdovers to the new additions can build the right kind of chemistry and consistency at both ends that will allow them to perform to their fullest potential that will allow them to be a consistent playoff perennial and hopefully champion.”

“My goal is always the same. My goal is to win a championship,” Doncic said to Scott on his expectations this season. “I think, not just mine, that’s everybody’s goal in the beginning…So, we’ll see. But our goal is a championship.”

Best Case Scenario: Mavericks finish in the middle of the pack in the rugged Western Conference. Luka Doncic is in the conversation for Kia MVP. Porzingis stays healthy and plays to his fullest potential. Mavericks win their first playoff series since 2011.

Worst Case Scenario: The Mavericks have to make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. Porzingis has another injury hit season. The supporting cast plays inconsistently. They have another First-Round exit.

Grade: C

Denver Nuggets: 47-25 (2^nd Pacific Division; No. 3 Seed in West) 25-11 at home, 22-14 on the road; Defeated the No. 6 Seeded Portland Trail Blazers 4-2 in West Quarterfinals; Lost to the No. 2 Seeded Phoenix Suns 4-0 in West Semifinals.

-115.1 ppg-8^th; opp. ppg: 111.0-12^th; 44.4 rpg-13^th

For three straight seasons, the Denver Nuggets have finished in the Top 3 in the rugged Western Conference, reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2009, falling to the eventual NBA champions in from L.A. Behind a breakout season that made him the lowest level draft pick to win Kia MVP, the Nuggets seemed on the verge of getting back there again before injuries to three key players, including their starting point guard eventually caught up with them and they went down to the eventual Western Conference champions from the “Valley of the Sun.” With their core players back in the od all intact with the addition of a solid, the challenge for the Nuggets is to take care of business until they can get their second-best player back hopefully in the spring as they try to make their push for their first title in their history.

After starting the season, 18-15, the Nuggets went 29-10 from the end of February to the close of the regular season, which was in large part thanks to Nikola Jokic (26.4 ppg-Led team, 10.8 rpg-9^th NBA, 8.3 apg-6^th NBA, 56.6 FG%, 38.8 FT%), who set career-highs in scoring, rebounding, assists, field goal percentage and a league-leading 60 double-doubles, including 16 triple-doubles, which was No. 4 in the NBA in 2020-21, which earned him the league’s highest individual honor being named Kia MVP.

Jokic, taken No. 41 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft became the lowest drafted player in NBA history to win Kia MVP and the first player to earn that honor in Nuggets history.

How good was Jokic a season ago? He had his fourth career 20/20 (points/rebound) game of 29 points and 22 boards going 11/14 at the foul line in the Nuggets 120-112 double-overtime win at the Suns tied him with Nuggets legend Fat Lever and former Nugget Antonio McDyess for the second most such games in team history behind the five such games by former Nuggets center Marcus Camby.

The three-time All-Star registered 23 games scoring 30 points or more, that tied him with the runner-up for Kia MVP Joel Embiid of 76ers for No. 6 in the league a season ago with the runner-up for Kia MVP in 76ers’ center Joel Embiid. That also included nine games of 40 points or more for Jokic, which included a career-high of 50 points with 12 assists, eight boards and three block shots on 20/33 shooting, including 3/6 from three-point range in the Nuggets 119-114 loss at the Kings.

Jokic’s average of 8.3 assists a season ago was the second highest in NBA history for a center behind the 8.6 in 1967-68 by the late Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlin.

Most Assists Per Game By a Center For A Single Season In NBA History
Wilt Chamberlin (1967-68) at 8.6
Nikola Jokic (DEN; 2020-21) at 8.3
Wilt Chamberlin (1966-67) at 7.8
Nikola Jokic (DEN; 2018-19) at 7.3
Nikola Jokic (DEN; 2019-20) at 7.0
Nikola Jokic (DEN; 2017-28) at 6.1

He began the season with 27 consecutive double-doubles, the second most in “The Association” Since 1976-77 NBA/ABA (American Basketball Association) Merger. Only the Hall of Famer and two-time NBA champion with the Trail Blazers and Celtics had more with 34 consecutive double-doubles to open the 1976-77 NBA campaign

Most Double-Doubles To Start An NBA Season Since 1976-77
Bill Walton (1976-77): 34
Nikola Jokic (DEN; 2020-21): 27
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL; 2019-20): 19
Moses Malone (1981-82); 16
Domantas Sabonis (IND; 2020-21): 16

Since 2015-16 season, only Andre Drummond (321) of 76ers, Russell Westbrook (313) of the Lakers, Karl-Anthony Towns (293), and Rudy Gobert (273) of the Jazz have registered more double-doubles than the 252 total by Jokic. Also, only Westbrook (165) and the Lakers’ LeBron James (60) have produced more triple-doubles, than the 57 by Jokic since 2015-16.

Rocking and rolling with Jokic was Jamal Murry (21.2 ppg, 4.8 apg, 47.7 FG%, 40.8 3-Pt.%), who also was putting together a career-year in his fifth NBA season.

The No. 7 overall pick from Canada and out of the University of Kentucky registered nine games of 30 points or more last season, including a career-high 50 points on 21/25 from the field, including 8/10 from three-point range in the Nuggets 120-103 win at the Cavaliers on Feb. 19.

Murray, who scored 20 of his career-high 50 points in the fourth quarter on 8/10 from the floor, including 4/5 from three-point range became the first player in NBA history to score 50 points without a single free throw attempt, and tied for the second highest shooting percentage (84 percent) in a 50-point game as he scored 30 of those 50 points in the second half.

For a team to be in the conversation in recent season of being a serious title contender, you need three legitimate scorers that can get you 20-plus to 30-plus points every night. Michael Porter, Jr. (19.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 54.2 FG%, 44.5 3-Pt.%-9^th NBA) was developing into that kind of player for the Nuggets.

That high trajectory began in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL where he went from averaging to 7.5 points the first 48 games of 2019-20 to averaging, counting the 2020 Playoffs 14.2 points in 26 games.

Of his six games that the No. 14 overall pick in 2018 NBA Draft out of University of Missouri registered 30 points or more, that included a career-high of 39 points on 13/21 from the floor, including 8/12 from three-point range with six rebounds and three block shots in the Nuggets 129-116 win versus the Rockets on Apr. 24. He also registered 15 double-doubles as season ago after six double-doubles the season before.

Porter, Jr. became the first player in NBA history to shoot over 54 percent from the floor and 44 percent from three-point range (on a minimum of 500 field goal and minimum of 250 three-point attempts).

In seeing that there is chance for something special to take place a season ago, Nuggets President Tim Connelly, CEO Josh Kroenke, and GM Calvin Booth at the trade deadline added depth to their front court in acquiring from the Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (12.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 46.3 FG% w/Magic & Nuggets) in exchange for guard Gary Harris, rookie guard RJ Hampton, and a future First-Round pick.

In a trade with the Cavaliers, the Nuggets acquired two-time NBA champion in his time with the Warriors center JaVale McGee in exchange for forward/center Isaiah Hartenstein and two future Second-Round picks.

The addition of Gordon coupled with supporting cast of Will Barton III (12.7 ppg, 38.1 3-Pt.%), Monte Morris (10.2 ppg, 48.1 FG%, 38.1 3-Pt.%), JaMychal Green (8.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 46.3 FG%, 39.9 3-Pt.%), PJ Dozier (7.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg), and rookie Facundo Campazzo (6.1 ppg, 3.6 apg 35.2 3-Pt.%) gave the Nuggets a deep interchangeable roster that can say they can compete for a championship.

What specifically gave them that confidence is that for the fifth time in franchise history they record 20-plus wins on the road in their NBA history with a single-season NBA-best 22 road wins in 2020-21. This happened in a season where the Nuggets were not as dominant at home unlike seasons past, where they finished tied with the Warriors, Hawks, and Knicks for the seventh best home record in “The Association” in 2020-21.

To put their great road record in 2020-21 into context, they were tied with their Northwest Division rivals in the Trail Blazers for the second-best record on the road in the NBA. Only the Suns had a better road record at 24-12 a season ago.

The Nuggets began last season 7-2 away from Ball Arena, their best mark their first nine road games all-time.

Nuggets Best Road Records First Nine Games All-Time
Season         Record      Road Mark For Season
2020-21          7-2                    22-14
2019-20          6-3                    20-16
2011-12          6-3                    18-15
2006-07          6-3                    22-19

Nuggets Season of 20 Or More Road Wins In Their NBA History
Road Record      Season
22-14                   2020-21
20-16                   2019-20
22-19                   2006-07
21-20                   2008-09
20-21                   2018-19

Those championship dreams took a serious hit for the Nuggets in their 116-107 loss at the Warriors Apr. 12 on ESPN when Murray tore the ACL in his left knee, that shelved him the final 18 games of regular season and would keep him out for the playoffs.

They also lost Barton III the final 13 games of the regular season with a right hamstring strain and Dozier for what would be the remainder of the season (right adductor strain).

Games Missed By Nuggets Due to Injury/Illness/Health and Safety Protocols
Monte Morris: 25 missed games
Jamal Murray: 24 missed games
PJ Dozier: 22 missed games
Will Barton III: 16 missed games
JaMychal Green: 14 missed games
Michael Porter, Jr.: 11 missed games
Facundo Campazzo: 7 missed games

On Apr. 30, the Nuggets claimed guard Austin Rivers off waivers (7.9 ppg, 36.9 3-Pt. w/Knicks & Nuggets).

While the Nuggets depth took a hit, their confidence did not as they finished the season 13-5 when Murray, Barton III, and Dozier went down with injury. That included a 7-1 mark their final eight home games of last season.

The Nuggets began the 2021 Playoffs off on the wrong foot as they let a nine-point lead in the third quarter slip away and dropped Game 1 of the opening-round versus the Trail Blazers 123-109.

Final 20 Minutes of Game 1
POR                  DEN
59      points      36
10/17   FGS      3/17
11/11   FTs 1/2

While Jokic had 34 points and 16 rebounds on 14/27 from the field, making three triples, he had just one assists (season-low) Porter, Jr. had 25 points and nine rebounds on 12/21 shooting, but was just 1/10 from the three-point line.

The Nuggets bounced back with a 128-109 win versus the Trail Blazers to tie the series 1-1, led by Jokic with 38 points, eight boards, and five assists on 15/20 shooting.

They outscored the Trail Blazers 42-36 in the second quarter to lead 73-61 at the half, with the 73 points tying the most in a half in a playoff game in team history.

The Nuggets outscored the Trail Blazers in Game 2 54-32 in the paint; 16-4 in fastbreak points; 38-21 in bench points; and 21-4 in second chance points. They also went 12/28 from three-point range and 24/30 at the foul line.

A balanced offensive attack and clutch shooting by the Nuggets recent addition got them home court advantage back with a 120-115 win at the Trail Blazers in Game 3 to lead the series 2-1.

While Jokic was the headliner with 36 points, 11 rebounds and five assists on 12/24 from the field, and 4/7 from three-point range, Rivers was big scoring 21 points on 5/10 from three-point range, scoring 16 of those 21 points on 4/5 from three-point range in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets went 20/38 from three-point range. Rivers scored the most points in a playoff since registering 21 points in 2016.

That happy feeling went away quickly two days later as the Nuggets were dominated in Game 4 (115-95) at the Trail Blazers, who tied the series 2-2.

The Nuggets never led, trailing by as many as 33 points, going just 13/44 from three-point range, and shooting just 34 percent overall from the field.

Jokic, who had just 16 points and nine rebounds on 7/18 from the floor had just one assist, which tied his season-low that he had in Game 1.

In one of the wildest games that would take place in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Nuggets outlasted the Trail Blazers in winning a double-overtime thriller 147-140 in Game 5.

After losing a 22-point second quarter lead and being tied 121-121 after regulation, the Nuggets led by nine points in the first overtime, only to see the Trail Blazers come back to tie it 135-135 after the first overtime. The Nuggets scored the final nine points of the second five minutes after being down 140-138 that put them one win away from their third straight season in the Semifinals.

For the second time in the last three games of the series, the Nuggets hit 20 threes, going 20/44 and went 27/32 at the charity stripe. They outscored the Trail Blazers reserves 48-22 and had 33 assists.

Jokic had 38 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and four block shots on 14/31 shooting, including three of those 20 triples. Morris had a playoff career-high of 28 points with five assists on 4/9 from three-point range and 10/11 at the foul line. Porter, Jr. had 26 points, 12 rebounds on 10/13 shooting, including 3/5 from the three-point line. Rivers added 18 points and seven assists on 4/8 from three-point range, while Gordon had 14 points and 10 boards.

A slow start in Game 6 where they trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, then by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, the Nuggets outscored the Trail Blazers 28-14 in the fourth quarter to win 126-115 to win the series in six games.

Jokic, who had 36 points, eight boards, and six assists, got the second half rally started scoring 20 of his 29 second half points in the third quarter. Porter, Jr. who had 26 points on 10/19 shooting, including 6/12 from three-point range kept the Nuggets close with 22 points on 8/10 from the floor, including 6/7 from three-point range in the first period. Those six made threes tied an NBA playoff record for most in a quarter. Morris, who had 22 points and nine assists on 3/6 from three-point range, scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter.

The Nuggets over the final 16:15 of the second half outscored the Trail Blazers 47-22, which included a 21-9 to close the game when they trailed 108-106 at the 6:28 mark of the fourth quarter.

Like they did in their prior three wins in the series, the Nuggets outscored the Trail Blazers, 50-38 in the paint; 34-25 in bench points; and 19-8 in second chance points.

The Nuggets got off to a promising start in Game 1 of the West Semis at the Suns. But a flameout from middle of the third quarter on doomed them and they lost 122-105.

After strong starts to the first three quarters where the Nuggets began the opening period on a 11-4 run; then on a 10-3 in the second quarter; and 12-3 in the third quarter, they were outscored 62-35 after leading after leading 70-60 early in the third quarter. It was the sign of bad things to come the remainder of the series.

In their 123-98 loss in Game 2 at the Suns, the Nuggets began going 1/13 from three-point range in the first quarter, finishing 14/40 from distance.

Their 25-point loss in Game 2 was their worst margin of defeat on the season (regular season or playoffs).

While Jokic, who had 24 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in the loss went 9/17 from the field, the rest of the starters in Porter, Jr. (11 points), Rivers (six points), Gordon (six points), and Campazzo (three points) had a combined for 26 points on 9/32 shooting, including 4/19 from three-point range.

The only positive was that Barton III scored 10 points in 15 minutes in returning counting the regular season and the first seven games of 2021 Playoffs a 15-game absence due to a right hamstring strain.

The Nuggets took it on the chin again in Game 3 at home falling to the Suns 116-102 to be one loss away from their first playoff sweep since going out 4-0 in the First-Round in 2008 to the Lakers.

While Jokic was sensational with 32 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists on 13/29 shooting, the supporting cast was not up to snuff again.

While Morris, who combined for just 5 points on 2/17 shooting, and 1/7 from three-point range the first two games had 21 points and five assists on 8/12 shooting, including 3/5 from three-point range, Porter, Jr. had 15 points, hitting 4/7 from three-point range, but was just 5/15 overall from the floor. Porter, Jr., and Gordon combined for just 19 points on 7/23 shooting as Gordon had only four points on 2/10 from the floor, including 0/4 from three-point range.

30/20/10 (Points/Rebounds/Assists) Games In NBA Playoff History

                                          Year       Result
Nikola Jokic (DEN)         2021        Loss
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar   1970        Loss w/Bucks
Wilt Chamberlin             1967        Won w/76ers

The Nuggets came ready to fight to continue their season but the loss of their star player in the third quarter eventually did them in as the Suns outlasted the Nuggets 125-118 as they lost the series 4-0, their longest losing streak of the season.

Jokic, who had 22 points and 11 rebounds (18 points and 10 rebounds first half) was ejected at the 3:52 mark of the third quarter with the Nuggets down 83-76 after he windmilled Suns guard Cameron Payne in the face getting called for a flagrant foul penalty to infraction.

Jokic became the fifth league MVP to have his team swept out of the playoffs, joining Hall of Famers Earvin “Magic” Johnson in 1989; the late Moses Malone in 1979 and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1977. This was the Nuggets first time getting swept out of the playoffs since the aforementioned Lakers did it to them in the opening-round 4-0 in 2008.

The absence of Murry was felt in this series as the starting backcourt of Campazzo and Rivers averaged a combined 13.7 points on 37 percent shooting. In Game 4 Barton III had 25 points, but shot just 9/21 from the field, including 3/9 from three-point range, while Campazzo had 14 points on 4/7 from three-point range. Gordon had in the defeat just eight points and six boards on 3/8 shooting.

The Nuggets used this offseason to maintain their continuity while adding another veteran to their still stacked lineup.

After Barton III declined his $14.7 million player option for this season, he re-signed on a two-year, $32 million deal and will enter his eighth season with the Nuggets, the longest tenured player on their roster and with a healthy off-season should have an even more prominent role entering his 10^th season.

“Anytime you can do a decade in anything that’s special,” Barton III said on Sept. 23 about playing as long as he has in the NBA. “Definitely proud of myself for that. “I’m just very excited to be honest with you to get back and compete. Looking forward to training camp. Looking forward to preseason. Looking forward to getting this thing started.”

They also signed veteran forward Jeff Green (11.0 ppg, 49.2 FG%, 41.2 3-Pt.% w/Nets), who will be playing for his 11^th team entering his 15^th NBA season. Green has played for the Seattle Supersonics-now the Oklahoma City Thunder, Celtics, Grizzlies, Clippers, Magic, Cavaliers, Wizards, Jazz, Rockets, and Nets.

Green is one of three players (James Edwards and Nazr Mohammed) to have played in a playoff game with seven different NBA teams. But Green is still looking for his first NBA title while Edwards and Mohammed have three and one championship ring respectably.

Green’s ability to make perimeter shots as well as his versatility to guard multiple positions gives the Nuggets another option for Coach Malone. Not to mention that he will play his role with not fuss.

“We’re a talented team. Guys who can play multiple positions. Can do a lot of things out there on the floor,” Green said in late September about being with his new team so far. “We have good character guys. Guys who are going to work hard. We have a really talented team.”

“I love the communication that we have every day. We talk amongst each other as far as how we can help each other out…We fly right under the radar and do what we have to do, we’ll be in good position at the end of the year.”

The Nuggets also re-signed on a two-year, $17 million deal JaMychal Green as well as Austin Rivers on a one-year, $1.6 million deal.

In the middle of September, the Nuggets signed Aaron Gordon to a four-year, $92 million extension.

With Murray out to start the season rehabbing his knee, one of the players that will have to step up his play to start this season in his absence is Gordon.

Counting the 2020 Playoffs, when Gordon scored 10-plus points, the Nuggets went 14-4, and just 9-8 when he scored between 0 to 9 points.

Between the Nuggets culture, Coach Malone and his coaching staff, the roster, and his role with the team, and the trust that Connelly and Booth have in Gordon made it an easy decision for him to sign his extension and now his focus is to help the Nuggets win a title.

“They trusted me. They want me here and I want to be here,” Gordon said. “It’s just a great organization, and I’m looking forward to putting in the entire year worth of wok and then some.”

“It’s definitely nice to have the deal done and really feel like I’m a part of something, you now,” Gordon added. “To be locked in here, and instead of working towards a monetary goal, we’re working to a collective team goal, and that’s a trophy.”

Two key components to making that goal of winning a championship a reality for the Nuggets is Jokic continuing his great play from a season ago and getting Murry back on the floor and as close to where he was before the knee injury.

Right now, there is no timetable for Murray’s return, only speculation that he could return in the spring. He said at Media Day on Sept. 27 that he rehabbed his left knee in both Phoenix, AZ as well as in Denver, CO, while also seeing a doctor a few times in Los Angeles, CA.

“Rehabs been going well,” Murray, who has four years and $131 million left on his current deal said. “I’m just trying to stay in the present day. Not get ahead of myself, which is very hard…I’m just eager to be on the court. It’s still a long ways away.”

“No matter where the team is at. I want to come back when it feels like I can play with the same amount of force that I normally play with…I want to be naturally in my head where I can play without any pain or any second thought.”

Without Murray to start the season, that means the lead guard spot will be played by committee by Morris, Barton III, Campazzo, and the Nuggets First-Round pick Nah’Shon Bones Hyland (No. 26 overall pick) out of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

That means they will need Jokic to play with kind of forcefulness he played with where he played like the best center in the league with his ability to mix up scoring, rebounding, and passing and will seeking to join the Lakers LeBron James; Warriors Stephen Curry; and Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo as the fourth player in the last 10 seasons to win back-to-back Kia MVPs.

“Everybody’s getting back. We’re pretty much going to have the same team,” Jokic, who is eligible for a super max contract extension said at Media Day about the Nuggets staying intact this off-season. “If everybody do there job, I think the house is going to be calm. I’m just trying to be ready for the next season, and that’s my job.”

For three straight seasons, the Nuggets have been a Top 3 Seed and, two years ago were knocking on the door of The Finals. They prioritized bringing back their own free agents, signaling that their front office believes in their window to compete for the Larry O’Brien trophy the next four to five seasons.

Not having Jamal Murray to start this season is tough. But the Nuggets have the reigning Kia MVP in Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter, Jr. who will need to take his game to another level if the Nuggets want to remain atop in the stacked Western Conference. A stellar supporting cast in Will Barton III, Aaron Gordon, Monte Morris, Jeff Green, JaMychal Green, and Facundo Campazzo.

They have a goal of winning it all and a head coach in Michael Malone, who has seen this team get better under his watch that will make sure they do not skip steps in the process of trying to win a championship.

“And now as we start this new season, I think that has to he our mindset,” Coach Malone said at Media Day about the Nuggets bringing the best version of themselves to the hardwood each game. “We’re going to need everyone to bring their best every day.”

“And obviously, you know, Nikola [Jokic] had an MVP season last year. But we also need everyone else to step up…I anticipate that happening.”

Best Case Scenario: The Nuggets are a Top 3 Seed Again. Jokic is a serious contender for Kia MVP again. Murray returns in the spring and is close to his normal self. The supporting cast plays at an elite level on both ends. The Nuggets are in the Western Conference Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Nuggets finish in the middle of the pack of the stacked Western Conference. Murray does not play at all or is a shell of himself when does come back. The Nuggets have an early playoff exit.

Grade: A

Golden State Warriors: 39-33 (4^th Pacific Division; missed the playoffs) 25-11 at home, 14-2 on the road. Lost in the Play-In Tournament 103-100 May 19 at the Los Angeles Lakers. Lost in the Play-In Tournament 117-112 in overtime May 21 versus Memphis Grizzlies.

-113.7 ppg-12^th; opp. ppg: 113.0-21^st; 43.0 rpg-22^nd

Considering where they were in the middle of the past decade as the NBA’s most recent dynasty, the fall of the Golden State Warriors is understandable. They lost the Finals MVP from 2017 and 2018, who is now in Brooklyn and have been without one half of their dynamic “Splash Brothers” back due to injury. The return to the hardwood of one half of their duo from injury, who led them to three championships in five straight appearances in The Finals, the Warriors put themselves in position to make it back to the playoffs. But sloppy play in their two chances to get back to the postseason had them on the outside of the playoff picture for a second straight season. With the eventual return of the other of the “Splash Brother” combo; some new additions via the draft and free agency; and the return of their No. 1 draft choice a year ago, the challenge for the Warriors is to in a very deep Western Conference is to recapture that magic that helped them win three titles.

The Warriors 2020-21 season started off with tough news as five-time All-Star Klay Thompson was going to be out a second straight full season with ruptured right Achilles sustained during an offseason workout. He missed the entire 2019-20 season with a torn ACL in his left knee suffered in Game 6 of the 2019 Finals versus the eventual champion Raptors.

After playing all but five games in 2019-20, two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry (32.0 points-Led NBA, 5.8 apg, 5.5 rpg, 48.2 FG%, 42.1 3-Pt.) bounced back in a big way in 2020-21 by leading the NBA in scoring for the second time in his career. He also joined the great Michael Jordan as the only players 33 years of age or older to lead the NBA in scoring for a single season.

Curry won that scoring title over the Wizards’ Bradley Beal by .7 of a point registered a league-leading 38 games scoring 30 points or more, which included a league-leading 11 games scoring 40 points or more, and 3 games with 50 points or more.

He let the whole basketball world know in early January the special season he was going to have when he dropped a career-high and NBA season-high for 2020-21 with 62 points on 18/31 from the field, including 8/13 from three-point range and 18/19 from the charity stripe in the Warriors 137-122 win on Jan. 3 versus Portland Trail Blazers. Curry joined Hall of Famers in the late Wilt Chamberlin and Rick Barry, Thompson, and Joe Fulks as the five players to score 60-plus points in a game in Warriors history.

“I mean, there’s a moment at the beginning of last year before the Portland game and the 62 [points] that I heard a lot of noise and I hear a lot of talk about who I wasn’t. We we’re going to get exposed. I was going to get exposed and all that type of stuff. I definitely took pride in shutting that up,” Curry said to Sirius XM NBA Radio’s Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine about his epic 2020-21 season.

“But it’s also a realization that when you’re in the fight every year, you’re in that chase to the mountain top and trying to win championships, I might get it more than other people just because I wasn’t supposed to be here.”

Players To Score 60-Plus Points In Fewer Than 37 Minutes Last 20 Seasons
                                                  Points   Minutes        Date
Stephen Curry (GSW)             62            37           1/3/2021
James Harden (BKN)              60            31           11/30/2019 w/Rockets
Klay Thompson (GSW)           60            29          12/5/2016
Kobe Bryant                             62            33

Curry registered 7 games making 10 or more threes in 2020-21, bringing his total to 22 such games in his career, the most in NBA history.

Most Career Games With 10 Or More Made Three-Pointers In NBA History
Stephen Curry (GSW): 22 games
Klay Thompson (GSW): 5 games
James Harden (BKN): 3 games
Damian Lillard (POR): 3 games
Zach LaVine (CHI): 2 games

Four of those games came during a historic scoring run in April by the three-time NBA champion where Curry averaged 37.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on 51.8 percent from the field, 46.6 percent from three-point range, with his 96 made triples surpassing the old all-time mark for threes in a calendar month by the Nets’ James Harden in November 2019 with the Rockets.

Curry’s 12 games with 30 points or more in April tied the late Kobe Bryant, who did it in December 2012 for the most 30-point games in a month by a player 33 years of age or older in NBA history. He registered 30 points or more in 13 out of the 15 games for the month, which included four games with 40 points or more, and one game with 50-plus points.

Most 30-Point Games In a Month By A Player 33 Years Or Older In NBA History

Stephen Curry (GSW): 12 games in April 2021
Kobe Bryant: 12 games in December 2012 w/Lakers
Kobe Bryant: 10 games in January 2012 w/Lakers
Karl Malone: 10 games in March 1997 w/Jazz
Dominique Wilkins: 10 games in March 1993 w/Hawks

Curry moved up the all-time three-point list history at the Bulls on Dec. 27, 2020, joining Hall of Famers Ray Allen and Reggie Miller as the only players in NBA history to make 2,500 career threes. On Jan. 23 at the Warriors, Curry passed Miller into second place on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers made list at 2,832 and counting. He trails only Allen, who is the all-time leader with 2,973 made threes.

On Mar. 15 versus the Lakers on ESPN, Curry passed Guy Rodgers to become the Warrior all-time assists leader, now at 4,984 career assists and counting. On Apr. 12 versus the Nuggets also on ESPN, Curry passed Wilt Chamberlin as the Warriors all-time leading scorer, now at 18,434 career points and counting.

While Curry was lighting up scoreboards with his marksmanship from the perimeter in 2020-21, fellow perennial All-Star and three-time NBA champion with the Warriors Draymond Green (7.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg) was putting work as a playmaker as he averaged a career-high 8.9 assists (4^th NBA), a career-high. He registered 24 games with double-digits assists, including seven games with 15-plus assists, which trails only the nine such games by Wilt Chamberlin for the most in NBA history. Green had 17 double-doubles, including six of his 30 career triple-doubles a season ago.

Most Games With 15-Plus Assists By A Non-Starting Guard In NBA History

Wilt Chamberlin: 9 such games
Draymond Green (GSW): 7 such games, all in 2020-21
Nikola Jokic (DEN): 5 such games

Another player that was crucial was swingman Andrew Wiggins (18.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg), who shot career-highs of 47.7 percent from the field and 38.0 percent from the three-point line. The 2014-15 Kia Rookie of the Year made a career-high 140 triples a season ago, the 4^th time in his first seven seasons making over 100 threes.

The play of Curry, Green, and Wiggins for a Warriors team that was very young and unproven proved vital as for much of 2020-21, head coach Steve Kerr’s squad was no more than five games over .500.

A 2-8 mark during a 10-game stretch from Mar. 20-Apr. 9 had the Warriors at four games under .500 at 24-28. That stretch included a 130-77 loss at the Raptors on Apr. 2, where they were outscored 81-30 the middle two quarters, the largest differential over a two-quarter span in a game in NBA history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Warriors trailed a one point by 61 points, the largest deficit over the last 25 seasons in a single game.

The Warriors concluded the season 15-5, including winning their final six games of the season (all at home) and a big part of that finish was the play of the young guys on the roster.

Jordan Poole (12.0 ppg, 35.1 3-Pt.%), Juan Toscano-Anderson (5.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 57.9 FG%, 40.2 3-Pt.%), and Mychal Mulder (5.6 ppg, 39.7 3-Pt.%) really got going towards the end of 2020-21.

In the Warriors 125-122 win versus the Pelicans on May 14 on ESPN, Poole scored 24 of his career-high 38 points in the first half, going 12/22 from the floor, including 4/9 from three-point range. Mulder registered 20 his career-high 28 points in the opening half, finishing 10/17 shooting, including 7/13 from three-point range.

Poole registered nine games with 20 points or more in 2020-21, while Mulder had three such games last season.

Last year’s No. 2 overall pick in center James Wiseman (11.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 51.9 FG%) missed the final 21 games of his rookie season, with a torn meniscus right knee. Damion Lee (6.5 ppg, 46.7 FG%, 39.7 3-Pt.%) missed the final 14 games of last season (health and safety protocols).

The Warriors let their first chance at punching their ticket to the postseason when they were outscored 61-45 in the second half of their 103-100 loss at the Lakers on May 19 in the inaugural Play-In Tournament.

They waisted a 37-point night on 12/23 from the field, including 6/9 from three-point range by Curry by committing 15 of their 20 turnovers in the second half that led to 29 Lakers points, with eight of those 20 miscues coming in the third quarter, where the Warriors were outscored 35-24. Wiggins contributed 21 points on 10/18 shooting.

In their second chance to make the playoffs, the Warriors committed 21 turnovers in their 117-112 overtime loss May 21 versus the Memphis Grizzlies, which snapped their six-game home winning streak.

The Warriors, who overcame a 17-point first half deficit, were outscored 18-13 in overtime as their 21 turnovers led to 22 Grizzlies points.

Those miscues waisted another great performance from Curry, who had 39 points on 13/28 from the field, including 6/15 from three-point range. Wiggins had 22 points and 10 rebounds on 10/22 shooting. Poole had 19 points on 3/5 from three-point range, while Green had a triple-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.

For the Warriors, this offseason was about getting primed for the return to being in the conversation of winning the Larry O’Brien trophy.

It began with the drafting of forward Jonathan Kuminga from the NBA G League’s Ignite and guard Moses Moody out of Arkansas No. 7 and No. 14 respectably in the 2021 draft.

In Kuminga, the Warriors have a forward who is an elite athlete that is explosive in the open court and has the defensive versatility to guard forwards and guards. He also is someone that learned how to be a pro being a part of the NBA’s G League last season playing for three-time NBA champion Brian Shaw and the Ignite where he averaged 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds this past season.

“My goal is to just get better every single day,” Kuminga said at Media Day on Sept. 27 on his plans for this rookie season. “Just trust the process.”

He added that in early workouts with some of veterans on the Warriors, they have told Kuminga to “stay ready” and when his moment comes to stand out on the court, take advantage of the moment, while staying “humble, play hard, work hard every day and get better.”

In Moody, the Warriors are getting a guard who brings a versatility at the offensive end, who not only can score from the perimeter but got to the foul line on a consistent basis for the Razorbacks in 2020-21. He is also a solid defender, who especially can defend on the ball. He also brings a maturity for a 19-year-old.

His averages of 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds on 36 percent from three-point range is how he became the first player in Razorbacks’ history to win SEC Freshmen of the Year.

He along other First Round selections in Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State and Evan Mobley out of USC were amongst Division I collegiate freshmen to average 15 points and five rebounds last season.

When asked by ESPN’s Malika Andrews on draft night on what the Warriors are getting in him, Moody said that the Warriors will be getting a player that is “professional.” Someone who is a “standup guy,” who is “honored” to be in this position and will “represent” the NBA at the “utmost.”

In free agency, Warriors signed forward/center Nemanja Bjelica (6.5 ppg, 45.4 FG%) to a one-year, $1.6 million deal, veteran forward Otto Porter, Jr. (9.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 37.5 3-Pt.% w/Bulls & Magic) to a one-year veteran minimum $2.4 million. They also brought veteran swingman Andre Iguodala, who helped the Warriors capture their three titles in 2015, 2017, and 2018 to a one-year, $2.6 million deal.

Back in the summer of 2017, Porter Jr. signed a four-year, $106.5 million deal and seemed on the verge of stardom with a Wizards team on the rise led by All-Star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal. In the years that followed though, Porter, Jr. dealt with injuries, especially last season from a lower back strain with the Bulls and then a bruised left foot in his short time with the Magic.

“I just think it’s a great opportunity for me,” Porter, Jr. said at Media Day “I think to me it was an easy decision. Knowing where I’m at in my career and what I want to accomplish. And I thought being here in Golden State. Wanting to help them achieve what they want to achieve. So, I think it was a good opportunity for me.”

If they can stay healthy this season, the Warriors have two versatile wings in Porter, Jr. and Iguodala, who can shoot and defend.

Specifically, with Iguodala, the Warriors have a true mentor that Kuminga and Moody along with Poole can really learn the ins and outs of the NBA.

“Being able to interact with the young guys, that’s always something I take on my shoulders,” Iguodala, the 2015 Finals MVP said. “So, those things just naturally happen and I’m really looking forward to those things.”

In Bjelica, they have floor spacing big that proved in the early part of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Sacramento Kings that can strike a match from the perimeter.

In early August, Curry signed a four-year, $215 million extension, which made him the first player in NBA history to sign two $200-plus million deals.

When asked by NBATV’s Dennis Scott on Media Day what would the older Curry tell the younger who was struggling with ankle injuries in the early stages of his career what is ahead for him, Curry said that each player’s journey is “different” and to embrace the things that you can control and to just “stay in the present.”

“When I was going through that stuff, I wasn’t counting anybody else’s money,” Curry added. “I was happy to have a little bit of security in this league what I was making. And that opportunity to just focus on being healthy and being out there and available every night. And that narrative just continues to build every single year as you gain more confidence and experience in this league.”

“I would’ve never imagined that this would’ve been the outcome. But I’m excited one to know that I’m here in Golden State and continue to be part of this culture for the next five years. But how blessed I am to be able to play basketball at this level and things it’s brought me and my family.”

The Warriors did have one issue that could have been a big distraction heading into the season, and that was Wiggins not being vaccinated.

By law in San Francisco, CA, in order to take part in any large indoor activities you have to be vaccinated.

“The only thing the media has done is kind of make it bigger than it has to be,” Wiggins said at Media Day about the situation of not being vaccinated. “So, like I said I’ll say my side of everything when I’m ready, you know. I don’t work on y’all time. I work on mine.”

When asked in a follow up about the possibility of not playing in home games or road games in New York City or Los Angeles, who have the same mandates and being fined and not paid for those missed games, Wiggins said, “It’s my problem, not yours.”

In the early part of October, Wiggins did get the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after the NBA declined his application for a religious exemption.

In his postgame Zoom presser after the Warriors preseason 121-107 win at the Trail Blazers, Wiggins saying in why he took the shot, “The only options were to get vaccinated or not play in the NBA.”

“It was a tough decision. Hopefully it works out in the long run, and I’m still healthy,” Wiggins added.

He also said that his hesitancy to get vaccinated came from an allergic reaction to some medication a while back and it scared him about takin the COVID-19 vaccine.

The big thing for the Warriors now is getting Wiseman and Thompson back healthy, on the court and back to playing at a high and productive level

“We’re really going to put the work in with James like we did a year ago in practice, in games, in the film room,” Coach Kerr said to Winer, Van Gundy, and Haywood on Media Day about how to get Wiseman on track this season. “We’re going to give him every opportunity.”

Kerr also said that the one thing that cannot be done is the amount of media coverage and instant judgment on young players when they do not have instant success in the NBA, especially for someone like Wiseman who has yet to have a traditional summer league or training camp after playing just three career collegiate games.

For Thompson, there is no exact timetable for his return, which has been speculated to be either as early as November, possibly Christmas or in January.

Coach Kerr said that Thompson is doing everything except anything contact wise. While there is no timetable for when the other half of the “Splash Brothers” duo will be back on the floor, it will be up to how Thompson is feeling and how the Warriors training and medical staff decides to do.

“It feels so good to put this jersey on and if feels great to be on the court. Even better to be on the court,” Thompson said at his Media Day presser adding, “Running up and down, jumping, cutting. All the little things you took for granted.”

When asked about the exact date of when he will be back on the hardwood to play, Thompson said he does not have an “exact date” but does not anticipate getting back on the court before 12 months, which gets him back on the hardwood in late November, early December.

“It’s just a feel thing,” Thompson added. “It’s a lot of conditioning I have to do. But there is an end point. And that’s what excites me. The worst is far, far behind me.”

Warriors Last Seven Seasons By Klay Thompson’s Availability
With Thompson                   Without Thompson
         311-75           Record                 65-96
         .806             Win%                  .404

The Warriors reached The Finals during all five of Thompson’s healthy seasons during this stretch.

It is very rare for a team that has been to the mountain top as the Golden State Warriors were on three occasions in five championship appearances in the previous decade could be back competing for more titles. A decade that was led by the trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. That included seven of those 10 seasons with Andre Iguodala.

The “Splash Brothers” along with Green and Iguodala said earlier in the week how special it has been to achieve the success they have and how eager they are to make another run for the Larry O’Brien trophy.

“To spend 10 years with those two guys [Curry and Thompson]. Seven of those 10 with Andre, that’s special. You don’t see that often in this league and that’s something I don’t take for granted,” Green said.

Thompson said of this bond between the “Core Four” of the Warriors, “We’re all so unique in our own ways. I would not be the player I am without those guys. I think we changed the way the game was played.”

Iguodala added saying of the Warriors with him, Curry, Thompson, and Green, “We’ve built something that people will remember forever.”

The Warriors enter 2021-22 in the position to get back to the top of the NBA mountain as champions. Those hopes hinge on Stephen Curry coming close to repeating the season he had in 2020-21. Getting Klay Thompson back on the floor and playing close the level where was one of the best two-way players in “The Association.” Getting Draymond Green, and the supporting cast of Andrew Wiggins, Andre Iguodala, Otto Porter, Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica performing to the level as some past Warriors role players did that brought their playoff mantra “Strength In Numbers?”

Finding out if the younger part of the Warriors roster in James Wiseman, Jordan Poole, Mychal Mulder, and the rookies in Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody can be productive parts of the Warriors or can they be used as trade pieces to bring in another veteran that is on the same timeline as the Warriors veterans?

How the Warriors meet these challenges will determine if they can get back to the playoffs and make some noise in a stacked Western Conference after a two-year absence.

“We have an opportunity to do something that honestly hasn’t been done. Meshing a core that’s been together for almost a decade along with some young guys who have so much potential. But a lot to learn,” Curry said.

“I’m really excited about this team. A lot of fresh new energy. But also, a lot of guys that’s healthy,” Green said.

“We’ve had some hard times obviously the last couple of years. But when we’re healthy, I believe we’re the best team in the world,” Thompson said.

“We think when healthy, we have a pretty good team,” Warriors GM Bob Myers said at Media Day about his squad going into 2021-22. “But that when healthy part, I guess applies to every team. But we haven’t gotten to see that, and that’s not an excuse. We just have to see how good or not with our full team. And then we can answer what’s right or wrong with the roster. But I like the veterans and the youth that we’ve added as well.”

Best Case Scenario: The Warriors make the playoffs in the middle of the Western Conference. Curry is in the conversation for his third Kia MVP. Klay Thompson returns to form. Green is in conversation for Kia Defensive Player of the Year again. The youngsters in Wiseman, Kuminga, Moody, Mulder, and Poole play at a high level. Warriors reach the Western Conference.

Worst Case Scenario: The Warriors are in the Play-In Tournament again. Thompson struggles to regain his form. The Warriors reach the playoffs but have an early exit.

Grade: A

Houston Rockets: 17-55 (5^th Southwest Division; missed the playoffs) 9-27 at home, 8-28 on the road.

-108.8 ppg-24^th; opp. ppg: 113.6-23^rd; 42.6 rpg-27^th

After eight straight playoff appearances with two appearances in the Western Conference Finals in 2015 and 2018, the Houston Rockets never reached The Finals. After falling in the 2020 West Semis to the eventual NBA champions, the Rockets made some major changes in the front office as well on their sidelines, which did not sit well with their All-Star backcourt happy. One All-Star was dealt prior to the start of last season and then they dealt their disgruntled centerpiece in the middle of January. Those moved wrecked the Rockets and they saw their streak of eight consecutive playoff appearances ended. With the collection of young talent from the 2021 draft as a result of a rough season well as youngsters already on the roster, the challenge for the Rockets, their front office and coaching staff this season is to identify the core pieces that will eventually get them back to being a playoff perennial.

After losing in the 2020 West Semifinals to the eventual NBA champion Lakers 4-1 in the restart in Orlando, FL, the Rockets on Sept. 30, 2020 said goodbye to then head coach Mike D’Antoni, who contract expired at the end of their season announced he would not return as Rockets head coach.

On Oct. 15, 2020, the Rockets announced that General Manager Daryl Morey was stepping down Nov. 1, 2020, which he confirmed in a full page add in the Oct. 18, 2020 addition of the Houston Chronicle. Oct. 30, 2020, the Rockets hired longtime assistant coach Stephen Silas as their new head coach.

On Nov. 18, 2020, the Rockets announced that former attorney and Rockets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Rafael Stone was being promoted to General Manager (GM).

The changes in the organization did not sit well with the Rockets perennial All-Star backcourt of 2017 Kia MVP in Russell Westbrook and 2018 Kia MVP and centerpiece of the franchise James Harden.

On Dec. 2, 2020, the Rockets dealt Westbrook to the Wizards in exchange for John Wall and a 2023 (lottery-protected) First-Round pick.

Harden, reported to camp late after his demands to be traded were not met and he spent that time jet setting across the country and hung out with rapper Lil Baby, whose real name is Dominique Jones from Atlanta, GA.

When Harden eventually reported to training camp with the Rockets he was out of shape and the Rockets paid the price for it as they began 2020-21 with a 3-6 mark.

After the Rockets 117-100 loss versus the Lakers on Jan. 12, Harden, who had just 16 points, six assists, and seven rebounds on 5/16 shooting, and 1/6 from three-point range said in his postgame presser, “We’re just not good enough…”

He added, “I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can do. I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed.

That was apparently the last straw for owner Tilman Fertitta, a native of Galveston, TX and GM Stone and two days later dealt Harden and a 2024 Second-Round pick in a four-team deal (Nets/Cavaliers/Pacers) to the Nets in exchange for Rodions Kurucs, Dante Exum, two-time All-Star Victory Oladipo, three unprotected First-Round picks from the Nets (2022, 2024, and 2026), a 2022 First-Round pick from the Cavaliers (via Bucks), and four First-Round pick swaps (2021, 2023, 2025, and 2027).

The Rockets sent to the Pacers as part of the trade forward/guard Caris LeVert, a 2023 Second-Round pick, a future Second-Round pick and a $4.79 million trade exception.

Eight days later, the Rockets acquired troubled young guard Kevin Porter, Jr. from the Cavaliers in exchange for a future Second-Round pick.

Following the Harden trade, the Rockets registered a 1-3 mark, which was followed six straight win to bring their mark to 10-9 following a 136-106 win at the Thunder on Feb. 1.

But the wheels really came off after that going 7-46 the remainder of the season, which included a mark of 6-32 post All-Star break.

After splitting their next two games, the Rockets, who were 11-10 at that time would not win another game until Mar. 22 (117-99) versus the Raptors as they registered a franchise record 20-game losing streak from Feb. 6-Mar. 22, the most consecutive losses by a team that had a winning record, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. They lost 16 of those 20 games by double-digits, including 12 in a row, which ties them with the 1992-93 Mavericks.

Most Consecutive Losses By 10 Points Or More In Single-Season In NBA History
Dallas Mavericks (1992-93): 12
Houston Rockets (2020-21): 12
Clippers (1999-2000): 11
Nuggets (1949-50): 11

The 20 straight losses by the Rockets is tied with the 76ers (1972-73), Knicks (1984-85 into 1985-86), Mavericks (1993-94) and Clippers (1993-94 into 1994-95) for the ninth longest losing streak in NBA history.

The Rockets slide began when they lost center Christian Wood (21.0 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 51.4 FG%, 37.4 3-Pt.%) to a right ankle injury the 115-103 win at the Grizzlies on Feb. 4. That ankle injury would sideline Wood for 31 games a season ago.

Before he went down, Wood, who signed a new three-year, $41 million deal as part of a sign-and-trade from the Pistons on Nov. 24, 2020 had him in the conversation for Kia Most Improved Player a season ago.

Wood registered 14 games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds a season ago. He registered a total of seven such games in his first 113 career NBA games as a journeyman with the 76ers, Hornets, Bucks, Pelicans, and aforementioned Pistons.

He began his Rockets career in 2020-21 by scoring in double-figures his first 15 games, the third longest such streak in franchise history.

Longest Streaks With 10-Plus Points To Open Rockets Career
Russell Westbrook: 57 straight games in 2019-20
Kevin Martin: 16 straight games in 2010-11
Christian Wood: 15 straight games in 2020-21

Wood’s 21.0 scoring average last season was the most by an undrafted player since the 1990-91 NBA campaign.

Most Points Per Game For Single-Season By An Undrafted Player Since 1990-91 NBA Season
                                               PPG        Season       Team
Christian Wood (HOU)       21.0        2020-21     Rockets
Mike James                           20.3        2005-06    Raptors
Fred VanVleet (TOR)          19.6        2020-21    Raptors
Fred VanVleet (TOR)          17.6        2019-20    Raptors
John Starks                           17.5        1992-92     Knicks

Along with Wood, David Nwaba (9.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 48.6 FG%) missed 35 games a season ago with a right wrist sprain. Danuel House, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg), who shot a career-low 40.4 percent from the floor and just 34.6 percent from three-point range a season ago missed 36 games because of injury. John Wall (20.6 ppg, 6.9 apg-career-low), who had missed, whose missed all of the previous season recovering from a ruptured left Achilles and left heel injury missed 32 games because of injury in 2020-21, including the final 12 games (right hamstring strain). Eric Gordon (17.8 ppg), who shot just 32.9 percent from three-point range and 43.2 percent from the floor overall in 2020-21 missed 45 games.

In total, the Rockets totaled 360 missed games a season ago due to injury or illness, with only the Magic totaling more missed games due to injury, illness or health and safety protocols. That led to a total of a league-high 43 different starting lineups used in 2020-21, and a single-season NBA record 30 different players playing for the Rockets in a game.

Back in the 2020 off-season, the Rockets signed former All-Star DeMarcus Cousins. After playing 25 games with them, where he averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds on just 37.6 percent shooting, the Rockets waived Cousins on Feb. 23.

The gathering of future assets continued on Mar. 19 when the Rockets in a deal with the Bucks dealt forward P.J. Tucker, forward Rodions Kurucs, a 2021 Second-Round pick swap and a 2020 First-Round pick to the Bucks in exchange for guard and former Texas Longhorn D.J. Augustin (10.6 ppg, 3.9 apg, 38.6 3-Pt.%), forward/center D.J. Wilson, a 2021 First-Round pick swap (Top 9 protected), and a 2023 First-Round pick.

At the Mar. 25 trade deadline, the Rockets in a deal with the Heat acquired forward/center Kelly Olynyk, guard Avery Bradley and a 2022 draft pick swap in exchange for Oladipo.

The Rockets, who went 5-22 following their 20-game losing streak used the remainder of the season to see who was going to be a part of their core moving forward.

After beginning the season inactive due to a weapons charge in the summer of 2020 and then an outburst regarding his locker being moved following the Cavaliers acquisition of now Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince from the Nets, Porter, Jr. (16.6 ppg, 6.3 apg) was ultimately dealt to the Rockets and assigned to their G League affiliate, the Rio Grand Valley Vipers.

The last pick of the First-Round (No. 30 overall) out of USC of the 2019 draft registered the first triple-double of the G League season with 27 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds.

He was called up to join the Rockets not too long after that and continued what he began in the G League.

In his Rockets debut, a 125-105 loss at the Kings on Mar. 11, Porter, Jr. had 13 points, 10 assists, five boards, and three steals in 29 minutes.

Points/Assists Double-Doubles Off Bench In Team Debut Since 1990

                                                                                                      Year
Kevin Porter, Jr. (HOU): 13 points, 10 assists                         2021
Emmanuel Mudiay: 14 points, 10 assists with Knicks            2018
Allen Iverson: 22 points and 10 assists w/Nuggets                  2006
Tyus Edney: 11 points and 10 assists w/Celtics                       1997

In the back end of a back-to-back, a 114-99 loss at the Jazz on Mar. 12, Porter, Jr. had 27 points, eight assists, and two blocks on 11/25 shooting in 38 minutes. He scored 25 points with seven assists and three steals in the Rockets 108-94 loss at the Warriors on Mar. 17, and 25 points on 10/15 shooting, including 3/5 from three-point range in the Rockets 129-107 win at the Timberwolves on Mar. 29

The eventual NBA champion Bucks saw first-hand how talented Porter, Jr. is scoring a career-high 50 points with 11 assists on 16/26 from the floor, including 9/15 from three-point range, and 9/11 at the foul line in the Rockets 143-136 win on Apr. 29. Porter, Jr. became the youngest player in NBA history at age 20 to score 50 points with 11 assists in a game.

Most Points In A Game By A Player 20 Years Old or Younger In Rockets History

                                                           Points           Year
Kevin Porter, Jr.   50 2021
Kevin Porter, Jr.                                27 2021
Kevin Porter Jr.                                 25 (twice)    2021
Eddie Griffin                                     25 2002
Eddie Griffin                                     25 2001

The problem with Porter, Jr. is that he too was slowed by injury with an ankle sprain putting him on the shelf for 13 games.

Another player who shined and showed he is a part of the Rockets future is Jae’Sean Tate (11.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 50.6 FG%), who went undrafted out of Ohio State, playing 2019-20 for Sydney Kings in National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia.

Tate, who made the 2020-21 All-Rookie First Team became the first rookie since LeBron James with the Cavaliers in 2003-04 to total 672 points, 324 rebounds, 141 assists, 78 steals, 34 blocks, and make 48 threes.

The Rockets also got great play late in 2020-21 from 2021 Second-Round pick (No. 52 overall) Kenyon Martin, Jr. (9.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 50.6 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%) with his opportunity late into last season was Kenyon Martin, Jr.

He too began the season in the G League, and KJ averaged 17.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.9 block shots.

After getting recalled by the Rockets on Mar. 6, the son of former No. 1 overall pick out of Cincinnati in the 2000 draft Kenyon Martin, Sr. became a consistent part of Coach Silas’ playing rotation and averaged 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds on 52.2 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range, and 73.4 percent at the foul line post All-Star break.

After registering eight games in double-figures the first 36 games of his NBA career, with one double-double, Martin, Jr. closed out his first NBA season with averages of 18.1 points and 8.4 rebounds on 51.6 percent from the floor and 42 percent from three-point range with three double-doubles. Martin, Jr. had three games of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in May, which included a season-high of 27 points and 10 rebounds on 11/19 shooting, including 5/9 from three-point range in the Rockets 124-116 loss at the Jazz on May 8.

While the Rockets lost in the rematch against the Bucks 141-133 in their gym, they hung with the aforementioned eventual NBA champs by going 25/53 from three-point range, setting a single-game NBA record for three-pointers made in a loss with those 25 made triples. Martin, Jr. recorded a then season-high of 26 points with seven rebounds and a season-high of seven assists on 10/21 from the floor, hitting 6 of his 10 from threes.

When the Rockets dealt James Harden to the Nets back as previously mentioned the middle of January, they said goodbye to the centerpiece and star attraction of their franchise.

They hoped they found that centerpiece to lead them back to the playoffs and eventually a title going forward in guard Jalen Green, No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft from the NBA’s G League Ignite. With the No. 23 pick in the draft, the Rockets selected forward Usman Caruba from Madrid Spain, and chose guard Josh Christopher one pick later (No. 24 overall) out of Arizona State.

In a draft night trade with the Thunder, the Rockets acquired the draft rights to forward/center Alperen Sengun (No. 16 overall pick) from Turkey, who played for the Besiktas in Istanbul, Turkey.

In Green, who bypassed attending the University of Arizona, Florida State University, USC, Auburn, University of Oregon, and University of Memphis, who recruited him to get pro experience out the gate in the G League brings an explosiveness, athleticism, and dynamic scoring ability that he showed for the Ignite a season ago averaging 17.9 points on 46.1 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range.

Green displayed some of that explosiveness when he scored 30 points in a 2021 G League Playoff game in Orlando, FL and in 2021 NBA Summer League averaging 20.3 points on 51.4 FG%.

“It helped me become a pro on and off the court. That was the main reason to go to the G League so I can reach my ultimate goal to get to the NBA,” Green, who made $500,000 playing in the G League last season said to ESPN’s Malika Andrews on draft night in late July. “I think overall I learned a lot and I got all the knowledge on and off the court ready to go to NBA.”

Along with being a dynamic player on the floor, Green brings charm and charisma off the court. At age 14, he reached 1.2 followers on Instagram.

He also brings a supreme confidence in himself and his ability to not just score but make plays for others, which he said at Rockets Media Day in late September that he has “always been” since high school and that he showed “glimpses” of it in the G League.

“But I think we’re going to take it to another this year,” Green added “I feel like I’m going to have the ball in my hands a lot more than I did in the bubble.”

One of the signs of a player that wants to be great is to know the areas of their game that they need to improve on.

Green mentioned that on Media Day that he had to improve how he reads the defense off the pick-and-roll, his ball handling and attacking downhill.

That will be important for Green who plays the same position as Porter, Jr., with the only difference Green said that he’s a “lefty.”

“What’s impressed me about his game is he has fun on the court,” Green said about Porter, Jr. “Always making plays. Looking to pass and he can go get a bucket on you too. So, he kind of got the whole package.”

The Rockets are also getting a player in Green that is very goal oriented. Along with wanting to win Kia Rookie of the Year, Green wants to make the one of the two NBA All-Defensive teams.

He told “Bleacher Report’s” Taylor Rooks on draft night that during his visit with the Rockets during the pre-draft process their whole conversation was all about defense.

“I’m just really locked in with him, talk to him, and I’m really focused on the defensive side,” Green said.

When the Rockets were without Wood in the lineup, their interior offense as well as their defense really suffered.

With the return of a healthy Wood along with the addition of Sengun, Garuba, and forward/center Daniel Theis (9.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 54.1 FG% w/Celtics & Bulls), who the Rockets signed on a four-year, $36 million deal, that the Rockets will be much better on both sides on the interior.

Theis said at Media Day that he chose to sign with the Rockets after the conversations he had with Coach Silas and GM Stone about the direction they were taking the team. Also, that in his time with the Celtics he learned from All-Star forward/center Al Horford and Aron Baynes what it means to be a “leader.”

“Now I hope that I can give all the young guys here with Jalen and Josh, and also Usman Alperen coming from Europe hopefully help them adjust to the NBA and then develop and getting better year-by-year.”

Sengun, who averaged 18.6 points and 8.9 boards on 63 percent shooting for Besiktas of Turkey in winning Turkish Super League MVP at age 18 is a big man with a high basketball IQ with a plethora of moves in the low post and an improving three-point shot.

For Sengun, who improved his conditioning by losing 30 pounds still has improve his conditioning so he can change ends more consistently and has to improve his ability to guard in space, especially with a league in the NBA where being able to switch and defend quick guards in space is a must.

“The biggest things I’m working on right now is shooting, and quick feet, and getting extremely quick. Much faster than I’ve been. Sengun said through his translator at Media Day on Sept. 17. “And we have a great coaching staff that works with me individually on those pieces.”

“I want to be one of the stars of the team. I know that there are many potential stars on this team and I’m going to work hard to become one of them.”

Caruba, who averaged 5.8 points and 5.3 rebounds on 46 percent shooting for Real Madrid (Spain) in 2020-21 comes in as more of a defender. He did a start for Real Madrid as season ago at age 17 and was part of Spain’s Olympic Team in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

In Christopher, who averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals for the Sun Devils in 2020-21 will bring the versatility to play both guard positions. Thrives in transition and in one-on-one isolations.

“I’m going to come in and battle. I think I’m fearless,” Christopher said flanked by Green, Sengun, his translator, and GM Stone at their introductory presser about his upcoming rookie season. “So, who we ever have to lace them up against, I’m going to be ready.”

The Rockets have possibly their core of youngster they feel will carry them into the future in Green, Sengun, Garuba, Porter, Jr., Martin, Jr., Tate, and Wood.

While the likes of Augustin, House, Jr., Nwaba, Exum and Theis will be a part of the immediate future to provide veteran leadership, the question is what happens to Wall and Gordon.

While Gordon and Exum stand a better chance at being dealt to bring back more assets the Rockets can use in their rebuild, Wall, 31 will be more difficult to move because the amount of money left on his deal of $44.3 million for this season and a player option of $47.4 million if he opts in for next season.

Wall said at Media Day that ever since he was dealt to the Rockets a season ago, everything between him and the organization has been “professional,” including the decision of him not playing and mentoring the young core until a decision is made whether to trade Wall or possibly buy him out of his deal.

“It wasn’t easy. It was tough,” Wall said of the decision that was made. “But my job here is to be like a mentor. Be a leader. Try to teach these young guys like how the NBA goes. And be a support system throughout the whole season.”

Stone added that he felt personally that Wall “sacrificed” a great deal last season and when they were coming to the decision of him remaining with the team while they try to figure out how to find the best situation for him with another team that they continue to “treat” him fairly.

After eight straight playoff appearances, including two trips to the Conference Finals, losing to the Warriors in five games in 2015 and seven games in 2018, the Rockets never could get in position to win their third title in franchise history. Ultimately, they were not better than the eventual NBA champions in the Warriors and Lakers during those seasons.

Entering last season, new GM Rafael Stone, and head coach Stephen Silas inherited a very difficult situation replacing respectably Daryl Morey and Mike D’Antoni. Stone has navigated those tough waters, like the plethora of injuries and roster turnover in 2020-21 and the Rockets now have building blocks to move forward with and it is up to Coach Silas to deploy this young team best he can through the few ups and many downs they will face at least for the next two seasons.

“I’m super excited about the future of this group, of this season,” Silas said at Media Day. “There’s going to be challenges, just like there were last year. But there won’t be built in challenges that we had with COVID and testing and all those other things that were even beyond all the obvious challenges made it harder.”

Best Case Scenario: The Rockets win at least 25 games. Green wins Rookie of the Year. Wall is dealt or bought out to join another team. The Rockets play hard and consistently every night, win, or lose. Tate, Martin, Jr., and Porter, Jr. show steady improvement.

Worst Case Scenario: The Rockets have several losing streaks of 5 games or more.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Clippers: 47-25 (2^nd Pacific Division; No. 4 Seed in West); 26-10 at home, 1-15 on the road; Defeated the No. 6 Seeded Dallas Mavericks 4-3 in West Quarterfinals 4-3; Defeated the No. 1 Seeded Utah Jazz 4-2 in West Semifinals; Lost to the No. 2 Seeded Phoenix Suns 4-2 in Western Conference Finals.

-114.0 ppg-10^th; opp. ppg: 109.1-6^th; 44.2 rpg-17^th

While they have had more talented team in recent years, the 2020-21 Los Angeles Clippers was probably their most complete and resilient group they have had ever. That resiliency overcame injuries during the regular season. Helped them battle back from series deficits in the first two rounds of the 2021 Playoffs and got them to the Conference Finals for the first time in their 50-year history in the NBA. The loss of the 2014 and 2019 Finals MVP near the end of the Semifinals eventually caught up with them falling two games short of making The Finals. As they enter 2021-22, the challenge for the Clippers is to get back to the West championship round led by their second-best player.

Over the past few seasons, the Clippers either because of injuries or internal strife got in the way of maintaining their focus of achieving their goal of winning a championship. Also, when they did have their chances to get to at least the Conference Finals, their concentration level waivered. It waivered in 2015 when they were up 3-1 in West Semis against the Rockets and lost that series in seven games. It happened again in the 2020 Semis in the restart in Orlando, FL where they blew a 3-1 series lead and lost in seven games to the eventual Western Conference runner-up Nuggets.

That off-season after the loss to the Nuggets, Clippers’ Governor Steve Ballmer and then head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers agreed to mutually part ways and replaced him with assistant Coach Tyronn Lue.

Coach Lue brought an accountability and unity that made the Clippers in the regular season become a more united team that respected on another from the players themselves to the coaching staff.

That togetherness created more harmony amongst the supporting cast and the Clippers perennial All-Star two-way duo of two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard (24.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.6 spg, 51.2 FG%, 39.8 3-Pt.%) and Paul George (23.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 46.7 FG%).

Along with better harmony amongst team, Coach Lue also modernized the Clippers offensive philosophy to where they emphasized consistent ball movement and more three-point shooting.

Offensively, Leonard and George were sensational as usual registering 13 and 11 games respectably of 30 points or more in 2020-21. What took their games to another level under Coach Lue is both averaged career-highs in assists per game at 5.2, and the Clippers, who ranked in the middle of the pack in assists per game in 2020-21 at 24.4, were 22-6 when they registered 25-plus assists.

While Leonard and George were the headliners on the Clippers, that consistent ball movement create more of an inclusion amongst the supporting cast of Marcus Morris, Sr. (13.4 ppg, 4.1 repg, 47.3 FG%-career-high), Serge Ibaka (11. Ppg, 6.7 rpg, 51.0 FG%), Reggie Jackson (10.7 ppg, 45.0 FG%) Ivica Zubac (9.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 65.2 FG%-career-high), Luke Kennard (8.3 ppg, 47.6 FG%-career-high), Nicolas Batum (8.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 46.4 FG%), and Terence Mann (7.0 ppg, 3.6rpg, 50.9 FG%), who shot career-highs from the floor in 2020-21.

That resulted in the Clippers leading “The Association” in three-point percentage at 41.1 percent, the fourth highest for a season in NBA history behind seven Clippers shooting 40-plus percent from three-point range.

Top Three-Point Percentages For Single Season In NBA History

Hornets (1996-97): 42.8 percent
Warriors (2015-16): 41.6 percent
Suns (2009-10): 41.2 percent
Clippers (2020-21): 41.1 percent

Clippers Who Shot 40-Plus Percent From Three-Point Range (Minimum of 25 Games Played) In 2020-21

Marcus Morris, Sr. 47.3 3-Pt.%-2^nd NBA (career-high)
Luke Kennard 44.6 3-Pt.%-8^th NBA (career-high)
Reggie Jackson 44.3 3-Pt.%
Terence Mann 41.8 3-Pt.%
Paul George 41.1 3-Pt.% (career-high)
Amir Coffey: 41.1 3-Pt.%
Nicolas Batum 40.4 3-Pt.%

To put into context the magnificent marksmanship the Clippers had from three-point range a season ago, the Clippers ranked third behind the Warriors (37.4 percent) and the Bulls (37.8 percent) on pull up threes. Shot 42.8 percent on catch-and-shoot triples; 46.7 percent on corner three-pointers and 39.1 percent on above the break triple tries.

A season ago, the Clippers went 46-19 when they made at least 10 three-pointers, including a sparkling 25-1 mark when they made 16-plus threes.

Behind their three-point shooting and their consistent defense is how the Clippers went 42-6 in 2020-21 when leading by 10 points or more, including a 25-1 mark when leading by 20 points or more during the regular season.

While they ranked 28^th in free throw attempts a season ago, the Clippers led the NBA in free throw percentage at 83.9 percent. They joined the 2005-06 and 2006-07 Suns, 2017-18 Warriors, and 2018-19 Spurs as teams since 1999-2000 to lead the NBA in both three-point and free throw percentage in the same season.

Last season, the Clippers went 9-0 when they scored 100 points or more through three quarters, improving to 64-1 in their history when that has occurred.

That consistent shooting and ball movement and more connectivity is how the Clippers did not slip when they had key personnel out because of injury in 2020-21.

Clippers Games Missed Due to Injury/Illness/Health And Safety Protocols
Serge Ibaka: 31 missed games
Kawhi Leonard: 20 missed games
Paul George: 18 missed games
Marcus Morris, Sr.: 15 missed games
Luke Kennard: nine missed games
Reggie Jackson: five missed games
Nicolas Batum: 9 missed games

The Clippers went a respectable 11-9 without Kawhi Leonard in the lineup, while they were 9-9 without George in the lineup in 2020-21. The Clippers went 32-11 with both Leonard and George (5-4 without Leonard and George) in the lineup a season ago.

Ibaka missed 30 games from Mar. 15-May 14 due to lower back tightness, which opened more playing time for Zubac, the only player to play in all 72 games in 2020-21.

Morris, Sr. had a then season-high of 32 points on 11/15 shooting, including 6/8 on his threes in the Clippers 125-118 win versus the Heat. In the Clippers 131-124 win versus the Pistons on Apr. 11, Morris, Sr. had a new season-high of 33 points on 13/18 from the floor, going again 6/8 from three-point range.

Since the arrival of Zubac to the Clippers via trade from their Staples Center co-tenants the Lakers two seasons prior, the Clippers have gone 68-24 when he plays 20 or more minutes. After registering 13 career double-doubles his first three NBA seasons, Zubac had a career-best 13 double-doubles a season ago after having 10 double-doubles in 2019-20.

With a 20-point performance on 7/7 shooting from the field, Mann became the fifth player in Clippers’ history to score 20 points or more without missing a shot off the bench.

With players having to step up in the absence of some key personnel, Coach Lue’s squad as a result was No. 4 in the league last season in bench points per game at 39.4.

To add more depth to their roster for the playoffs, the Clippers at the Mar. 25 NBA trade deadline acquired two-time NBA champion veteran point guard Rajon Rondo from the Hawks in exchange for guard Lou Williams, a 2023 Second-Round pick (via Trail Blazers) a 2027 Second-Round pick, and cash considerations.

On Apr. 5, they signed All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins (8.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, w/Rockets & Clippers), who was waived by the Rockets on Feb. 23. He averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in his 16 appearances with the Clippers in the regular season.

The Clippers were sitting pretty to get the No. 3 Seed in the West before going 4-6 their last 10 games while resting some of their key players and dropped to the No. 4 spot in the West, which meant a rematch with the Mavericks, who they took down in the opening-round of the 2020 Playoffs in the restart in Orlando, FL in six games.

The Clippers lost home court advantage immediately dropping the first two games versus the Mavericks.

Despite outscoring the Mavericks reserves 32-23, the Clippers lost Game 1 (113-103), getting outscored 18-5 the final six minutes of regulation, going 2/12 from the field to close Game 1. They went just 11/40 from three-point range. Leonard (26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, four steals) and George (23 points, six rebounds, five assists) combined to go 17/40 shooting, including 3/14 from three-point range.

In Game 2, which the Clippers lost 127-121 to trail 0-2 in the series dominated the Mavericks reserves again outscoring them 38-24 and were a +12 in paint points (60-48). Leonard had 30 of his 41 points in the opening half on 14/21 shooting, including 4/7 from three-point range and 9/10 at the foul line, while George added 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists on 12/22 shooting.

The problem was that they could not slow down the Mavericks offensively as they outscored the Clippers 40-36 in the second quarter to lead 73-71 at the half.

They cut a deficit as high as 14 points down to four in the fourth quarter but got no closer.

The Clippers turned the tables winning Games 3 and 4 at the Mavericks to square the series at 2-2.

They won Game 3 (118-108) outscoring the Mavericks 107-78 after trailing 30-11 the first 4:29 of the opening quarter, snapping a five-game playoff losing streak dating back to the 2020 West Semis against the aforementioned Nuggets. Clippers became the first team since the 1998 Pacers to comeback from a deficit as high as 19 points to lead at halftime, which the Clippers did 53-51.

While Leonard led the way with 36 points and eight boards on 13/17 from the field, making three of his five threes and George scored 22 of his 29 points in the opening half going 11/18 from the floor, Morris, Sr. had nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, hitting all three of his triple tries, including a corner three late in the period that sealed the win.

Clippers as a team shot 57.9 percent (44/76) from the floor in the win, including 13/31 (41.9 percent) from three-point range and 17/18 at the foul line. They had 24 assists on their 44 made shots.

In their dominant win in Game 4 at the Mavericks 106-81, Clippers led for basically the whole game, up by as many as 28 points. They outscored the Mavericks 17-4 in fastbreak points, and went 13/33 from three-point range, holding the Mavericks to 5/30 from three.

After outrebounding the Mavericks 39-33 in Game 3, the Clippers outrebounded the Mavericks in Game 4 53-41.

Leonard, who shot 24/32 combined in Games 3 and 4 at the Mavericks had 25 points and 10 rebounds in Game 4 on 11/15 shooting. George had 18 of his 20 points in the opening half, along with nine rebounds, going 3/6 on his three-pointers.

Clippers tied their third largest margin of victory in a road playoff game in franchise history of 25 points.

Largest Margin of Victory In Clippers Playoff History
Year      Points   Opponent
2006         25    at Suns
2015         25       vs. Rockets
2021         25       at Mavericks
2015        33       vs. Rockets
2014         40       vs. Warriors
2020         43       vs. Mavericks

The Clippers put themselves behind the eight ball again dropping Game 5 at home 105-100 putting them one more loss away from elimination.

They used a 16-6 run to overcome a once 16-point deficit to draw within 95-91 and used a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 101-100 but Batum blew a layup in the final minute of regulation, and Leonard missed a corner three in the finals seconds of regulation that could have tied the score 103-103.

Leonard (20 points, five boards, and five assists) shot just 7/19 from the field, including 1/7 from three-point range, while George (23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three block shots) shot 7/15 from the floor, going 3/7 from three-point range.

The Clippers showed their resilience again winning Game 6 at the Mavericks 104-97 as they outscored the Mavericks 22-17 in the second quarter to lead 48-45 at the half and outscored the Mavericks 31-20 in the fourth quarter, going 10/16 shooting, hitting three of their seven triples, and going 8/10 at the foul line, and outrebounding the home team 15-8.

Leonard led the way scoring 29 of his playoff career-high tying 45 points in the second half, going 18/25 from the floor, including 5/9 from three-point range. Leonard scored 12 of those 45 points in the fourth quarter. Jackson scored 14 of his 25 points in the first quarter to keep the Clippers close, while also chipping in with nine rebounds. George had 20 points, 13 boards, six assists and three blocks.

Scoring 45 Points For Multiple Franchises In NBA Playoff History

Kawhi Leonard (LAC) for the Raptors and Clippers
LeBron James (LAL) for the Cavaliers and Heat
Ray Allen for the Supersonics (now Thunder) and Celtics
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the Bucks and Lakers
Wilt Chamberlin for the Lakers, 76ers, and Warriors (while in San Francisco)

Clippers closed the deal on the Mavericks in Game 7 at home 126-111 behind a 24-4 run to close the third quarter to lead 100-85 after three quarters and led by as many as 19 points in the fourth quarter and closed and closed the game on a 12-4 after the Mavericks cut the margin to 114-107.

Clippers outscored the Mavericks bench in Game 7 24-7; went 24/24 at the foul line; hit an NBA record for threes in Game 7 with 20, going 20/43 from three-point range.

Clippers reached the West Semis in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014 and 2015 as they became just the fifth team in NBA Playoff history to win a series after losing the first two game at home

Comebacks In A Best-Of-Seven Playoff Series After Losing The First Two Game At Home
           Teams                           Year              Round
Clippers-Mavericks                2021                  First
     Celtics-Bulls                       2017                  First
Mavericks-Rockets                 2005                  First
   Suns-Rockets                        1994             West Semis
Lakers-Warriors (SF)            1969            Division Series

Leonard had nearly a triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, and four steals on 10/15 shooting. Morris, Sr. scored 11 of his 23 points in third quarter, going 7/9 from three-point range and tied Warriors Stephen Curry for most made threes in a Game 7 in NBA Playoff history. George had 22 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals on 10/10 at the foul line. Jackson chipped in with 15 points making three triples while Mann had 13 points, and Batum (seven boards and five assists) and Kennard (3/5 3-Pt.) each had 11 points.

Leonard For The Series Against Mavericks
-became the fourth player in NBA Playoff history to score at least 200 points on at least 60 percent shooting in a playoff series.

-averaged 26.7 points on 70 percent from the floor (28/40) combined in Game 6 and 7.

Players to Average 30 Points on 60 Percent Shooting In A Playoff Series Since 2000
Shaquille O’Neal (2000 Finals for Lakers against Pacers) with an average shooting distance of 4’6”
Kawhi Leonard (2011 First-Round Clippers against Mavericks) with an average shooting distance 13’4”

The Clippers fell behind 0-2 in the Semis against the West’s No. 1 Seeded Jazz losing Game 1 (112-109) and Game 2 (117-111) in Utah.

The Clippers lead Game 1 by as many as 14 points in the first half (led 60-47 at half) shooting 47.6 percent (20/42), including 11/23 from three-point range, with 13 assists on those 20 made shots with just four turnovers, and got 27 points from the bench.

They were outscored by the Jazz 65-49 in the second half, going just 3/19 from three-point range, hitting just 37.2 percent of their shots (16/43) including just 3/19 from three (15.8 percent), with nine assists, and five turnovers, and just 15 bench points.

George, who struggled all night from the field going 4/17 shooting, including 3/8 from three-point range for 20 points and 11 rebounds, hit a triple that cut a once 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter down to 112-109. But Morris, Sr.’s game-tying triple in the final seconds fell short.

The Clippers in Game 2 overcame a 21-point third quarter deficit by outscoring the Jazz 33-27 in the period, including 23-6 to close the quarter and a three-pointer by Jackson put the Clippers on top 101-99 in the fourth quarter but a 18-10 close by the Jazz won the game.

Jackson scored 24 of his 29 points in the second half going 11/19 shooting, including hitting 4/8 from three-point range, with 16 of those 29 points on 6/7 from the field and 3/3 on his threes in the third quarter. George had 27 points, 10 boards, and six assists, scoring 10 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter. Leonard had 21 points and five assists, but just seven of those 21 points came in the second half.

The Clippers won Games 3 (132-106) and 4 (118-104) at home to tie the series 2-2 behind Leonard and George and their marksmanship from three-point range.

In Game 3, the Clippers outscored the Jazz 37-26 in the second quarter, using a 13-2 run to close the period to lead 57-41 at the half and led by as many as 28 points in the second half.

After going 11/30 from three-point range in Game 3, the Clippers went 19/36 from three in Game 3, registering 21 assists and just nine turnovers.

Leonard (34 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, 12/24 FGs) and George (31 points, five assists, 12/24 FGs, 6/10 3-Pt.), each scored 30-plus points for the second time as Clippers’ teammates in a playoff game. Leonard scored 24 of his 34 points in the second half on 10/12 shooting in registering his fourth career playoff game with at least 20 points, 10 boards, and five assists.

In Game 4, the Clippers took a part the Jazz leading 30-13 after the first quarter hitting 6/12 from three-point range and never looked back leading by as many as 29 points.

Clippers shot 15/37 from three-point range and went 31/38 at the charity stripe and outscored the Jazz reserves 21-11 and 12-0 in fast break points.

For the second straight game, Leonard (31 points, 3/7 3-Pt., 10/13 FTs) and George (31 points, nine rebounds, 4/10 3-Pt., 9/10 FTs) scored 30-plus points in the same playoff game as Clippers’ teammates and became just the fifth duo since the 1976-77 NBA/ABA merger to score 30-plus points in back-to-back playoff games. Morris, Sr. had 20 of his 24 points in the opening half, going 5/6 from three-point range.

The Clippers though would be without Leonard what would turn out to be the remainder of the 2021 Playoffs because of a right knee injury that he sustained in Game 4 versus the Jazz.

The Clippers behind George would overcome a 10-point first half deficit and a 65-60 deficit at the half outscoring the Jazz 59-46 in the second half, including 32-18 in the third quarter to win Game 5 119-111, being one game away from their first Conference Finals appearance in their history.

George led the way with 37 points, 16 boards, and five assists on 12/22 shooting with three triples and 10/11 at the foul line. Morris, Sr. had 25 points on 10/16 from the field, hitting three of his four triple tries. Jackson had 12 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and Mann had 13 points.

George, who had 30 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists through three quarters became the first Clipper all-time with at least 35 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a playoff game.

Prior to his streak of three consecutive game scoring 30-plus points, George had not scored 30 points since in 18 consecutive playoff games counting his time with the Pacers and Thunder.

Most Consecutive 30-Point Games In Clippers Postseason History
Season(s)

Bob McAdoo: 9 straight games         1974-76
Kawhi Leonard: 5 straight games     2020
Elton Brand: 4 straight games           2006
Paul George: 3 straight games           2021

Clippers had been 0-8 all-time with a chance to reach the Conference Finals in their history, including blowing their three chances in the West Semis as mentioned last season against the Nuggets.

They were on the verge of blowing another chance in Game 6 when they were down 72-50 at the half and by as many as 25 points early in the third quarter. But behind an overall career-high 39 points from Mann on 15/21 shooting, including 7/10 from three-point range, the Clippers outscored the Jazz 81-47 in the second half to win Game 6 131-119 and advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Most Seasons Without Conference Finals/Championship Game Appearance NFL/NBA/NHL/MLB
Clippers (NBA): 50 seasons
Hornets (NBA): 31 seasons
Columbus Blue Jackets: 20 seasons
Houston Texans (NFL): 19 seasons
Pelicans (NBA): 19 seasons

Buffalo Braves/Clippers Previous Chances Of Reaching Conference Finals In Franchise History
Year                       Opponent      Result
1975 (as Braves)    Bullets           Loss
2006                          Suns             Loss
2015 (3 chances)    Rockets          Loss
2020 (3 chances)    Nuggets          Loss

George had 28 points, nine boards, seven assists, and three steals on 10/24 shooting from George, while Jackson had 22 of his 27 points in the second half with a season-high 10 assists on 10/16 shooting, with three triples. Batum had 16 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, going 4/6 on his threes.

In the second half, the Clippers outscored the Jazz as mentioned 81-47, shooting a remarkable 71.1 percent from the floor (30/42), including 14/19 from three-point range with just four turnovers and forcing 6 Jazz turnovers. Mann led the charge with 20 of his 39 points in the third quarter on 8/11 shooting, including 4/6 from three-point range.

Most Threes Made In Second Half Of A Game In NBA Playoff History
Year                                          3-Pt.
2020 Raptors versus Nets     16/29
2020 Magic versus Bucks     15/23
2021 Clippers versus Jazz    14/19

Largest Comeback In Series Clinchig Win Last 25 Postseasons
Year           Team        Points    Opponent
2021         Clippers        25           Jazz
2001           Kings           19           Suns
2006         Mavericks     18          Suns
2012          Thunder       18          Spurs

Clippers became the first team in NBA Playoff history to win two playoff series in the same postseason after trailing a best-of-seven series 2-0.

They fell behind again 0-2 to start the Western Conference Finals at the Suns, dropping two close games.

They lost Game 1 (120-114), who after trailing by 10 points to start the fourth quarter after beginning the period tied with the Suns 93-93.

George, who had 34 points on 10/26 shooting, including 7/15 from three-point range had just one point on 0/5 shooting in the fourth quarter. Jackson had 24 points on 10/19 from the field, making four triples.

Clippers went 20/47 from three-point range, going 8/13 from three in the third quarter, made at least 20 triples for the third time in 2021 Playoffs.

The Clippers in the Game 2 loss (104-103), George had 10 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter scored a layup that put the Clippers up with 31 seconds left in regulation. He then hit a jumper moments later to put the Clippers up 103-102. But the Suns moments later scored on an alley-oop dunk in the final seconds to win Game 2.

George, who went 10/23 from the field, hit just 1/8 on his threes and was just 5/10 at the foul line, including two crucial misses with 08.2 seconds left in regulation.

The Clippers got back into the series with a 106-92 win in Game 3 versus the Suns, outscoring the Suns 60-44 in the second half, including 34-21 in the third quarter, sparked by a 21-3 run to lead 71-56 after three quarters.

Clippers after getting outscored 54-34 and 60-30 in the paint the first two games by the Suns were only outscored 42-40 in the paint in Game 3.

George led the way scoring 10 of his 27 points in the third quarter with 15 rebounds and eight assists. Jackson had 23 points, hitting three triples. Zubac had 15 points, 16 rebounds, going 9/10 at the foul line, with 11 points and 11 rebounds on 7/8 at foul line in the first half.

George had his eighth straight game scoring 25-plus points, while Zubac became the first Clipper since Deandre Jordan on Apr. 30, 2017 against Jazz to have a double-double in the first half of a playoff game.

Most Consecutive 25-Points Games In Clippers/Buffalo Braves Postseason History

Bob McAdoo: 9 straight games, 1974-76
Paul George: 8 straight games, 2021
Kawhi Leonard: 7 straight games, 2020
Chris Paul: 5 straight games, 2015-16

A poor shooting night in by the Clippers, especially in the fourth quarter put them one game away from elimination as the lost Game 4 84-80, to be one game away from their season concluding.

The Clippers as a team shot 32.5 percent from the field in the loss, including 5/31 from three-point range, and 21/32 at the foul line. They cut the deficit to 69-66 by outscoring the Suns 30-19 in the third quarter, after trailing 50-36 at the half shooting 11/20 from the field. However, the Clippers scored just 14 points in the fourth quarter on 3/19 from the field, including 0/6 on their threes and 8/13 at the foul line.

George (23 points, 16 rebounds, six assists) was just 1/7 from the field, missing both his triple tries and went just 5/9 at the foul line in the fourth period, finishing 5/20 overall, including 1/9 from three-point range and 12/18 at the charity stripe. Very similar to Game 2, George two crucial free throws with 0.58 seconds left in regulation. He also split a pair of foul shots with 01.3 seconds left in regulation.

The Clippers showed their resilience once again winning Game 6 at the Suns 116-102 to cut the series deficit to 3-2.

George led the way scoring 30 of his playoff career-high 41 points in the second half, to go along with 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals on 15/20 from the field, going 3/6 from three-point range. George had 20 points on 10/12 shooting, hitting three of his four triples in the third quarter.

Paul George In Game 5 At Suns

-became the first player with 40 points, 10 rebounds on 70 percent shooting in an elimination game since Lakers LeBron James did it in Game 6 of 2012 East Finals at the Celtics

-joined Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing with 40 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists on 75 percent from the field in a game in NBA Playoff history.

-became the fourth player in Clippers history with 40 points in a playoff game, joining Leonard, Elton Brand, and Bob McAdoo.

-became the first player in NBA Playoff history to score 40 points on 75 percent shooting (15/20 FGs), 50 percent from three-point range (3/6 3-Pt.), and 100 percent at the foul line (8/8 FTs).

Players To Score 30 Points on 80 Percent From The Field In 2nd Half Of A Playoff Game Last 25 Postseasons
                                         Year                  Opponent
Paul George (LAC)        2021                      Suns
Anthony Davis (LAL)    2020                Trail Blazers
Dwyane Wade                2010 w/Heat        Celtics

George and Wade did it in games where they team faced elimination.

Jackson added 23 points on 4/7 from three-point range, while Morris, Sr. added 20 of his 22 points in the opening half.

The Clippers led by as many as 16 points in the opening half and used a 10-0 run in the third quarter to overcome a small deficit to lead 91-78 after three quarters. They used a 10-2 to put the game away after the Suns cut the Clippers lead to 98-94 with 6:58 left in the fourth quarter.

They outscored the Suns 34-8 in the paint in the opening half and 58-32 in the paint in Game 5. Shot 54.8 percent from the floor, despite going just 10/30 from three-point range. Had 20 assists and just 10 turnovers and were only outrebounded 41-40 by the Suns.

The trade of Paul, a nine-time All-Star to the prior summer brought in two players who are top two candidates for Kia Sixth Man of the Year in Lou Williams (19.9 ppg-Leads team, 5.3 apg, 37.2 3-Pt.%) and Montrezl Harrell (15.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 62.2 FG%).

There have been many games this season where Williams and Harrell, who both earned new contracts a season ago have come in off the bench and changed the whole tenor of the game for the Clippers this season.

Any thoughts of being in position to win a third straight series after falling behind 0-2 for the Clippers were obliterated in the second when their efforts to come back from a 17-point third quarter deficit came up short in a 130-103 loss that ended their playoff run two games short of The Finals.

After trailing 66-57 at the half and down 17 in the third quarter, the Clippers used a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 89-82 before the Suns outscored them 41-21 the rest of the way.

While Morris, Sr. (26 points, nine rebounds) went 4/11 from three-point range, the rest of the team shot 8/28 from three-point range in Game 6, going 12/39 from three (30.8 percent) in the loss.

George had 21 points and nine boards, going just 6/15 shooting, including 1/6 from three and 8/9 at the free throw line. Jackson had 13 points and eight rebounds, but shot just 4/12 from the floor, including 2/7 from three-point range.

Most Seasons Without Reaching Championship Round/Game In NBA/NFL/NHL/MLB History

Clippers (NBA): 51 seasons
Nuggets (NBA): 45 seasons
Seattle Mariners (MLB): 43 seasons
Phoenix Coyotes (NHL): 41 seasons

Head Coach Tyronn Lue went 3-1 this postseason when his team faced elimination and is now 10-3 in his coaching career with the Cavaliers and Clippers when facing elimination.

Best Records Facing Elimination Amongst Head Coaches In NBA History (Minimum 8 Games)
                                       Record         Win%
Tyronn Lue (LAC)        10-3              .769
Steve Kerr (GSW)           6-2              .750
Bill Russell                       8-3              .727 w/Celtics
Rudy Tomjanovich       12-5             .706 w/Rockets
Kevin McHale                 7-3             .700 w/Rockets
Michael Malone (DEN) 7-3             .700

With a restricted salary cap and a future with no First-Round draft picks (that were sacrificed to acquire Paul George from the Thunder two off-seasons back) used this draft to find talent to develop while also finding some gems via trade and free agency.

In a draft night trade with the Knicks, the Clippers acquired the draft rights to guard Keon Johnson (No. 21 overall pick) out of the University of Tennessee and a future Second-Round pick in exchange for the draft right to guard Quentin Grimes (No. 25 overall pick) out of the University of Houston.

The also acquired in a deal with the Magic the draft rights to guard Jason Preston (No. 33 overall pick) out of Ohio University in exchange for a 2026 Second-Round pick (via Pistons) and cash considerations.

The big question for the Clippers entering the 2021 off-season is what would happen with Leonard, who has a player option for 2021-22 season? At the start of August, Leonard declined that $44 million player option and on Aug. 12 signed a new four-year, $176.3 million deal to stay in L.A., with a player option in the final year of the deal.

The Clippers also re-signed Batum to a two-year, $3.2 million deal, with the second year of the deal being a player option. Serge Ibaka, who only played two playoff games because of back issues, opted in to his $9.7 million player option, the final year of his contract to return to the Clippers. Reggie Jackson, who registered nine games of 20 points or more in the postseason after doing so just seven times during 2020-21 to a two-year, $22 million deal.

It was not that long ago that Jackson thought after being bought out by the Pistons, he thought his career was over. The Clippers the season before gave him a lifeline and while he went from being a starter to a reserve and back to being a starter and being a major part of the Clippers success especially in the playoffs playing alongside his good friend in George.

“It’s been fun,” Jackson said at Clippers Media Day about the going through the ups and downs over the past 10 months. “Emotions come with the game. Roller coaster up and down…But been pretty steady since being in this locker room. Being welcomed what is it now 2.5 years ago…No matter what my role is, I’m just happy to be able to play this game. There’s no other locker room I would want to be a part of.”

In free agency, the Clippers added forward/guard Justise Winslow (6.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, w/Grizzlies), who hopes to put the injury history that he has had so far in his pro career with the Heat and Grizzlies to be an impact player on both ends of the court off the bench.

“I was a free agent. So, just trying to find the best spot for me this summer was top priority,” Winslow said on Oct. 1 in his Zoom presser.

He added that the Clippers said to him that his role is for him being himself from being a playmaker on both ends. Compliment the likes of Leonard, and George and do the little things to help the Clippers win games.

In a deal with the Grizzlies on Aug. 15, the Clippers acquired guard Eric Bledsoe and an $8.3 million trade exception from the Grizzlies, in exchange for guards Rajon Rondo and Patrick Beverly, and center Daniel Oturu. The trade saved the Clippers and Governor Ballmer $30 million in luxury tax.

Bledsoe (12.2 ppg, 3.8 apg w/Grizzlies), who was dealt to the Grizzlies from the Pelicans earlier in the off-season will be in his second stint with the Clippers, who drafted him No. 18 overall in 2010 out of the University of Kentucky hopes to add another player maker on both ends, like he did for the Bucks in helping them get to the East Finals in 2019.

“When I first got here, we was pretty much in rebuild mode. And as the years went on, the organization definitely built its way to higher expectations, Bledsoe, who played with the Clippers from 2010-13 said of how the team has changed from then to now. “I’m coming in as a veteran player now, in a different role. Just come in and help the team out the best way I can. So, whatever the case may be, that’s what I’m going to do.”

The problem for the Clippers entering this season in terms of their championship aspirations is that 2014 and 2019 Finals MVP with the Spurs and Raptors respectably will miss a majority if not all of next season with what was later reveal a partially torn ACL in his right knee sustained in Game 4 of the West Semis versus the Jazz, missing the final eight games of the postseason.

Missed Games By Kawhi Leonard Last Four Seasons
2017-18 with Spurs: 73 missed games
2018-19 with Raptors: 22 missed games
2019-20 with Clippers: 15 missed games
2020-21 with Clippers: 19 missed games

At Media Day, Leonard said that he has been doing the “same stuff” to get better from a specific injury that he has from working on it to “lifting weights” making sure you do not overcompensate and get strong and stable from the injury.

“Just working with the staff day-to-day and when that available date does comes, we’ll be ready for that,” Leonard said about when he will return to the court. “That all I can do. Take it one day at a time.”

The Clippers, who for the past 22 years have been third tenant in Staples Center to the Lakers and NHL’s Kings also broke ground on their new arena the Intuit Dome, something that has been in the making since now Clippers' Governor Ballmer bought the team seven years ago to forging their own identity as well as their new arena, which they broke ground on in Inglewood, CA set to open in 2024.

Mr. Ballmer in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said that when he first bought the Clippers, he had no reason to build an arena. But once he bought the team and saw the all the Lakers title banners and retired jerseys an needed to hide them when the Clippers had their home games, he became “skeptical” and said that they “needed their own house.”

“Let’s make our house a basketball mecca,” Ballmer added. “Just the best place in the world. We’re building a fantastic building because we’re trying to communicate that we are a fantastic organization. Our fans need to know that. Our players, free agents.”

Ballmer also said that the Clippers were bad enough that the Clippers could be seen as the so-called little brother to the 17-time NBA champion Lakers, who have a plethora of Hall of Famers.

Now that they are a “good” team now, Ballmer said the Clippers will be a good team year-in and year-out and has no problem ruffling the feathers of the Lakers fans.

“We got out fans. We use our expression, ‘L.A. Our Way.’ The other guys [Lakers] feel a little threatened, that’s okay. It means we’re doing good,” Ballmer said to Shelburne.

When it comes to the possibility of playing this year without Leonard, Ballmer said with basically the whole team back with some new additions, he remains “optimistic” they can get back to the Conference Finals and make it to The Finals.

“We have a very good basketball team, even without Kawhi,” Mr. Ballmer said. “We’re going to win a lot of game. Obviously, we would an even better basketball team with Kawhi. But it’s a part of the game…Our fans can count on the fact that we’re going to try to win as many ball games as we can every year.”

That means they will need Paul George to play to the level he did in the 2021 Playoffs where he had eight double-doubles counting the regular season and postseason without Kawhi Leonard in the lineup. Also, counting the regular season and playoffs, the Clippers went 15-13 with George and without Leonard in the lineup a season ago.

To put how much Paul George is ready for this moment to be the true No. 1 scoring option like he was in his time with the Pacers, he went from averaging 20.2 points, 6.1 boards, and 3.8 assists on 40 percent from the floor in the 2020 Playoffs to averaging 26.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 44 percent from the field in the 2021 Playoffs.

Paul George With and Without Kawhi Leonard During 2020-21 Season

With Leonard               Without Leonard
       43               Games              9
    24.2                 PPG           27.9
      6.4                 RPG             6.9

In the final eight games of the 2021 Playoffs without Leonard, George averaged 29.6 points and 11 rebounds.

In the restart in the Orlando, FL George admitted to dealing with some depression from the isolation from family and friends. He got back to a good place a year later and now is primed to lead the Clippers if for most possible all of 2021-22 without Leonard.

“I’m ready. I’m ready for the fight for this year,” George, entering his 12^th NBA season, his third with the Clippers said at Media Day. “I’ve been in this position. So, it gives me a level of comfort being the No. 1 guy to start and I’m ready to lead.”

“We trust one another. Honestly, Year 12, I couldn’t imagine any other locker room. I would want to be a part of than this group right here.”

The Clippers after being on the cusp of making it to The Finals came two games close to getting there, even without a two-time Finals MVP. Their resolve and focus, which they have not had in past seasons is what will make or break them this season, in an even more stacked Western Conference.

“I’m excited,” Coach Lue said at Media Day on the upcoming season. “Just to have the chance to coach these guys again….I’m just excited to get back to it.”

“I thought last year we achieved somethings that we wanted to achieve. But our common goal is to win a championship here. We’ve got to approach the season like we like we don’t have him [Kawhi Leonard] and we just got to continue to keep building from there.”

Best Case Scenario: The Clippers are a Top 4 Seed in the West. George is in the conversation for Kia MVP. Leonard returns in time for the playoffs. They have a Top 5 scoring bench, while also ranking in the Top 5 in three-point shooting, foul shooting, and defense. Coach Lue is in the conversation for Kia Coach of the Year.

Worst Case Scenario: The Clippers make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. Leonard misses the entire season. The Clippers fall in the Semifinals.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Lakers: 42-30 record (3^rd Pacific Division; No. 7 Seed in West); 21-15 at home, 21-15 on the road; Won 103-100 versus Lakers May 19 to clinch No. 7 Seed in West; Lost No. 2 Seeded Phoenix Suns 4-2 in West Quarterfinals.

-109.5 ppg-22^nd; opp. ppg: 106.7-2^nd; 44.2 rpg-16^th

With a short turnaround following winning their 17^th NBA title in the restart in Orlando, the Los Angeles Lakers entered last season very vulnerable to injuries. They suffered injuries, especially with their All-Star duo and they suffered some key ones to their key players, especially their perennial All-Star duo. While they did make the playoffs by winning a game in the inaugural Play-In Tournament, the championship reign ended in six games by the eventual Western Conference champions from the “Valley of the Suns” in the opening-round of 2021 Playoffs. In the off-season the Lakers front office upgraded up the supporting cast with some of the best to ever play as well as a couple youngster that really showed well for their previous teams. The Lakers challenge entering this season is to stay healthy and use that veteran savvy to navigate a long regular season that hopefully ends in with title No. 18.

The 2020-21 season began well for head coach Frank Vogel’s squad at 21-7, sitting in the Top 3 in the loaded West led by one of the early favorites for MVP in LeBron James (25.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 7.8 apg, 51.3 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%).

James broke his own NBA record for consecutive games registering at least 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists to begin a season with 32. That broke his own mark of 30 consecutive 15/5/5 games to being a season back in 2017-18 with Cavaliers, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Most Consecutive 15/5/5 (Points/Rebounds/Assists) Games To Open A Season In NBA History
LeBron James (LAL) first 32 games in 2020-21
LeBron James (LAL) first 30in 2017-18 w/Cavaliers
Oscar Robertson: first 29 games in 1964-65 w/Cincinnati Royals
Oscar Robertson: first 29 games in 1963-64 w/Cincinnati Royals

In the Lakers 137-121 win versus the Timberwolves Mar. 16, James had his second straight triple-double, fifth of the season, his 26^th as a Laker, 62^nd since turning age 30 (most in NBA history-Elias Sports Bureau), and the 99^th of his career, the 5^th most in NBA history.

Most Triple-Doubles After Age 30 In NBA History
LeBron James (LAL): 62
Wilt Chamberlin: 61
Jason Kidd: 58

James also has the longest streak in NBA history scoring in double-figures at 1,040 consecutive games and counting.

Longest Consecutive Streaks Scoring In Double-Figures In NBA History
LeBron James (LAL): 1,040
Michael Jordan: 866
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 787
Karl Malone: 575
Kevin Durant (BKN): 562

James entering 2021-22 is all-time is No. 3 in points scored at 35,367, behind Hall of Famers Karl Malone (36,928 points) and Lakers’ legend and perennial NBA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38, 387 points) No. 6 in minutes played at 50,055 and eight in assists at 9,696. The only player ranked in the Top 10 currently in all-time points and assists.

The other half of the Lakers duo Anthony Davis (21.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 49.1 FG%) play though was subpar registering his lowest scoring and rebounding averages since his rookie season with the then New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans). While he did register six games with 30 points or more, Davis had a career-low 12 double-doubles in 2020-21.

The rails began going off the tracks for the Lakers last season when Davis suffered a right calf strain and right Achilles’ tendinosis) Feb. 14 at the Nuggets that shelved him for 30 games from Feb. 16-Apr. 22.

Then they lost James on Mar. 20 versus Hawks with a high right ankle sprain sustained in the second quarter that shelved him for a career-high 20 straight games.

The Lakers without Davis for those games went just 14-16, while the Lakers with James out were just 8-12.

Lakers With and Without LeBron James First 61 Games 2020-21

First 41 Games                      20 Games Without James
        28-13             record                       8-12
        111.9                ppg                         104.9
        106.1           Opp. ppg                    107.1
        45.3%        Opp. FG%                  47.1%

The Lakers for 2020-21 went 30-15 with James (12-15 without James), who missed 26 of the final 30 games with that right high ankle sprain. The Lakers went 23-13 with Davis (19-17 without Davis) in the lineup in 2020-21, including going just 6-7 when Davis returned from his 30-game absence, where they Lakers went just 14-16 in his absence. The Lakers when James and Davis were both shelved were just 8-10.

With Davis in the lineup last season, the Lakers scored 100 points or more 32 times and under 100 points just six times. Without Davis in the lineup, the Lakers scored 100 points or more 24 times and under 100 points 12 times.

They went from a top of the West to competing just avoid the Play-In Tournament.

What kept the Lakers afloat is the fact that they remained a top tier defense a season ago, ranking No. 8 in rebounding differential (+2.2); held opponents to 35.2 three-point percentage (4^th NBA) and 46.0 percent overall from the floor, No. 8 in the league; and averaged 5.4 blocks per game, tied for No. 4 in the league.

It took a come from behind 103-100 win in the Play-In Tournament versus Golden State Warriors May 19 to make the 2021 Playoffs as the No. 7 Seed in the Western Conference.

They overcame 55-42 halftime deficit as they closed the third quarter after trailing 72-60 in the third quarter with a 17-7 run to pull within 79-77 after three quarters. Down 98-95 in the closing minutes of the contest, the Lakers closed the game on an 8-2 run that was capped by a three-pointer from 34 feet by LeBron James to beat the 24-second shot clock with under a minute left in regulation.

It capped a triple-double by James of 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, who had 16 points on 6/10 shooting in the second half after just six points on 1/7 shooting in the first half.

Davis, who had 25 points and 12 rebounds on 10/24 from the floor, had 13 of his 25 points and five of his 12 rebounds in the fourth quarter as part of his 20 points and nine boards on 8 for 12 shooting in the second half after registering just 5 points on 2/12 from the field in the opening half.

The Lakers in Game 1 of the First Round at the Pacific Division champion Phoenix Suns their comeback from an early 16-point deficit fell short in a 99-90 loss.

Lakers went just 7/26 from three-point range and 17/28 from the free throw line in the loss. James had 18 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals, going 3/7 from three-point range. Davis had just 13 points and seven boards with three blocks shots on just 5/16 shooting.

They tied the series with a 109-102 win at the Suns in Game 2 behind 34 points, 10 boards, seven assists and three blocks on a career-best 18/21 at the foul line from Davis, in his first 30/10/5 (points/rebounds/assists) playoff game of his career. James had 23 points and nine assists on 4/9 from three-point range.

The Lakers scored 21 points off 13 Suns turnovers

The Lakers carried momentum and won Game 3 109-95 versus the Suns to take a 2-1 series lead as they outscored Suns 33-23 in the third quarter getting 28 of those 33 third quarter points from Davis (18 points) and James (10 points).

The Lakers outscored Suns 58-38 in the paint, getting 36 of those 58 points from Davis, who totaled 34 points and 11 rebounds on 11/22 shooting, and 12/14 at the foul line and James, who had 21 points, six boards and nine assists, as the shot a combined 18/27 in the paint.

Davis became the fifth player in franchise history with 30 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive playoff games.

Things quickly turned in Game 4 as the Lakers not only lost the game 100-92, blowing an 11-point second quarter lead as they were outscored 77-68 the final three quarters, but lost Davis in the second quarter with an injured left groin and did not return.

The Lakers, who scored just 15 points in the second quarter on 3/16 shooting (18.8 percent) cut an 18-point deficit to 95-88 behind an 19-8 run but never regained the lead as they scored their 92 points were a season-low (regular season or playoffs) at home.

It all came a part in Game 5 back at the Suns as the Lakers were outscored 32-10 in the second quarter, going 2/17 from the floor, including 0/5 from three-point range in the period as they were down 66-36 at the half and lost 115-85. That 30-point deficit at the half tied for the second largest deficit at intermission in Lakers’ franchise history.

This marked the first time in James’ playoff career that his team lost consecutive games in the First-Round, after not doing so in previous 21 games in the opening-round. Davis (left groin strain) out.

Lakers In 2020-21 (Regular Season & Playoffs) Season With LeBron James and Without Anthony Davis

Versus Playoff Teams                Versus Other Squads
          1-7                        record                10-1
         98.8                         PPG                 116.7
         -9.6                        ppg diff.            +11.6

The season came to a crashing end with a 113-100 loss versus the Suns in Game 6 and had their championship reign end in a six-game flame out.

The Lakers, who were down 36-14 after the first quarter were down by as many as 29 points. They cut the deficit to 86-73 by outscoring the Suns 35-27 in the third quarter but never got the lead.

James, who had 29 points, nine rebounds, seven assists on 11/26 shooting, including 3/10 from three-point range was bounced out of the First Round of the playoffs for the first time in his 18-year NBA career, 14-1 all-time in the opening-round.

Davis, who missed Game 5 with a left groin strain did return but lasted just the first 5:25 of the opening period before exiting and did not return.

The Lakers joined the 1981 squad, 1984 76ers, 2007 Heat, and the 2021 Mavericks as defending NBA champions to be eliminated in the First Round on their home floor.

The Lakers also joined those squads along with the 2000 and 2015 Spurs to fall in the First Round in NBA Playoff history under the current 16 Playoff team format (since 1984).

The Lakers front office led by General Manager Rob Pelinka and President Jeanie Buss went to work in reshaping the roster into a championship caliber squad again.

They made a big splash in acquiring in a five-team deal with the Wizards, Nets, Spurs, and Pacers 2017 Kia MVP, perennial All-Star guard Russell Westbrook (22.2 ppg, 11.7 apg-Led NBA, 11.5 rpg-career-high w/Wizards), dealing Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell to the Wizards.

They signed five former Lakers in forward Trevor Ariza (4.8 ppg, 35.0 3-Pt.% in 30 games w/Heat), center Dwight Howard (7.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 58.7 FG% w+/76ers), Kent Bazemore (7.2 ppg, 44.9 FG%, 40.8 3-Pt.% w/Warriors), swingman Wayne Ellington (9.6 ppg, 42.2 3-Pt.%) each to one-year, $1.6 million deals, as well as signing veteran lead guard Rajon Rondo (5.4 ppg, 4.4 apg, 40.4 3-Pt.% w/Hawks & Clippers) to a one-year, $2.6 million deal.

They also signed in free agency to a one-year deal future Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony (14.3 ppt, 40.9 3-Pt.% w/Trail Blazers), meaning that for the first time James and Anthony, the No. 1 and No. 3 overall picks in the 2003 draft will play on the same team for the first time in their careers.

“I almost got forced to do it. I think LeBron forced me to do it,” Anthony told Drew Barrymore on her talk show back promoting his memoir “Where Tomorrow’s Aren’t Promised” in late September on why he signed with the Lakers. “He waited until the right time. He waited until we’re at the end of our careers. And he said, ‘The time is now.’ If you don’t do it now, we ain’t never going to do it.”

“We’re both going into our 19^th season. It’s not to many people that can say that, and still at the top of their game, and still doing it at a high level.”

To add more depth to their front court, the Lakes in early September signed former Clippers’ center DeAndre Jordan (7.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 76.3 FG% w/Nets) to a one-year, $26 million deal.

With Howard and Jordan in the fold at the pivot position, the Lakers in the middle of September dealt center Marc Gasol and a 2024 Second Round, and cash considerations pick to the Grizzlies.

To bolster their perimeter attack, which ranked 21^st in three-point percentage at 35.4 percent in 2020-21 signed guard Kendrick Nunn (15.0 ppg, 45.8 FG%, 36.4 3-Pt.% w/Heat) to a two-year, $10.25 million deal, and Malik Monk (11.7 ppg-career-high, 40.1 3-Pt.% w/Hornets) to a one-year, $1.7 million deal.

The one player the Lakers re-signed in free agency is guard Talen Horton-Tucker (9.0 ppg, 45.8 FG%).

To put into perspective what the Lakers added this offseason, nine players on the roster (Anthony, James, Ariza, Rondo, and Howard) entering training camp are 30 years of age or older. That is one more than the Nets; two more than the Clippers and three more than the Heat and Warriors.

Six of those nine players are over the age of 32. In December when Howard turns 36 in December, that will give the Lakers four players (James, Ariza, and Anthony-37) age 36 or older.

Most 30-Plus Year Old Players On NBA Roster Entering 2021 Training Camp
Lakers: 9
Nets: 8
Clippers: 7
Heat:6
Warriors: 6

While they have an older roster, the players that have been added addressed the three areas that they Lakers needed to improve in from a season ago.

In Westbrook, they added a playmaker, who has averaged a triple-double in four out of the last five seasons, and last season passed Oscar Robertson for the most triple-doubles in NBA history at 184 and counting. For his career with the Thunder (110-38), Rockets (5-2), and Wizards (25-15), Westbrook teams have gone 138-46 in his career when he registered a triple double.

Most Triple-Doubles In Single-Season In NBA History

Russell Westbrook: 42 in 2016-17 w/Thunder
Oscar Robertson: 41 in 1961-62 w/Cincinnati Royals
Russell Westbrook: 38 in 2020-21 w/Wizards
Russell Westbrook: 34 in 2018-19 w/Thunder
Wilt Chamberlin: 31 in 1967-68 w/76ers

The Lakers also added someone who is a so-so jumper shooter, which teams will exploit this season, especially the real sound defensive teams.

“We need Russ to be Russ,” James, who will be waring Jersey No. 6 this season said at Lakers’ Media Day on Sept. 28 about playing with Westbrook. “We don’t need Russ to change for anybody. That’s why we got him. And it’s our job to all help him feel comfortable in our system, and he’s going to be as dynamic as he’s always been. So, I look forward to that.”

James also said that he and Westbrook have spent a lot of time together since the Lakers acquired him. He also said that he, Westbrook, and Davis will hold each other accountable to win a championship.

Westbrook, who along with James and Rondo are in the Top 10 all-time in assists echoed those same sentiments saying by being around James since being acquired by the Lakers, the two have really learned each other’s work ethic and gained an understanding the preparation each puts in to put their team in position to win has allowed each other to see a different side of the other.

“I think it’s because we both understand and know what it takes to be able to win. But obviously, ‘Bron understand what it takes to that next level. And I’m able to kind of learn and understand somethings along the way and I’m able to do that,” Westbrook said.

Players With 20,000 Career Points and 8,000 Assists For Their Career In NBA History
                                               Points        Assists
LeBron James (LAL)          35,367         9,696
Oscar Robertson                  26,710         9,887
Russell Westbrook (LAL)   21,857         8,601
Gary Payton                         21,853         8,996

That preparation was something that Pelinka talked in late September about before the start of training camp saying how the four-time Kia MVP wanted to be “a bit leaner” which he feels will allow him to be more explosive and quicker this upcoming season.

The additions of Anthony, Ellington, Monk, and Nunn along with Ariza, and Anthony will provide better perimeter shooting, which was a glaring weakness in their playoff loss to the Suns.

The Lakers, who ranked No. 21 in the league at 35.4 percent from three-point range during the regular season counting the regular season and playoffs went 20-26 on the season (18-22 in the regular season) when they shoot below 35 percent from three-point range. They only shot 35 percent or better from three-point range 32 times during the regular season, going 24-8 when that happens.

Those additions should also keep the Lakers as a Top 5 bench scoring in the NBA, which they ranked No. 2 in the NBA a season ago (40.3 points).

What this will allow for Davis, James, and Westbrook to attack the paint as well as provide open perimeter shots.

Also, the additions of Westbrook, Nunn, Rondo, and at times Monk should allow James to not have so much responsibility to initiate the offense, which should preserve his energy in throughout this regular season.

Unfortunately, the Lakers will not have Ariza to start the season as surgery on his right ankle will keep him out 6-8 weeks. Horton-Tucker will be out at least four weeks after having surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right thumb.

Howard and Jordan give the Lakers to big men that will do all the dirty work up front from setting screens, getting offensive and defensive boards, and providing consistent rim protection for all 48 minutes for a Lakers squad that has built its identity at the defensive end.

When the Lakers won it all two seasons back, they had two big men that did all the ancillary work at both ends in Howard and JaVale McGee.

They hoped that Gasol and Andre Drummond, who they picked up off waivers last season, but both ultimately did not fit the Lakers defensive philosophy.

Even with the additions of Howard and Jordan, if the Lakers are going to become champions again, they need Davis to have a bounce back season and get to the point where wants to consistently play at center, which he said at Media that he is willing to do unlike before whether for the Lakers or with the Pelicans.

“I expect to play center. I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” Davis said at Media Day about playing center. “Me and Frank [Vogel] talked about it a couple of times, and that’s the plan.” “Right now, nothing’s set in stone. But we want to see what that looks like, and I’m comfortable with that.”

“Obviously, there’s times Dwight and D.J. might get the start at center depending on games. But for the most part, I think the is to go with me playing center.”

Two years ago, the Lakers were on top of the NBA mountain winning their 17^th NBA title. Injuries, a lack of depth and perimeter shooting did the Lakers in 2020-21. They reloaded with a cast of some of the best players to ever play in the NBA and with a couple of young guys that they hope will get the Lakers back to atop the West 2021-22.

While some of the new additions already have won a title, there are the likes of Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony where that ultimate prize is the only thing missing from their Hall of Fame resume.

Their health along with the health of the entire team, especially that of LeBron James and Anthony Davis will go a long way in deciding if the Lakers have a chance of winning title No. 18 in franchise history.

“We have great players on our team…. Yes, some of them are towards the end of their careers, but they’re still producing at a high level and if you’re still producing at a high level, it doesn’t matter how old you are,” Coach Vogel said on Lakeshow Podcast in late September about his veteran team. “So, I really don’t care for the narrative.”

Best Case Scenario: Lakers remain healthy and are a Top 3 seed in the West. Davis is top candidate for Kia MVP. The Lakers are a high ranked defensive team once again and a better perimeter shooting team, especially from three. They reached The Finals and win a title for the second time in three seasons and 18^th in franchise history.

Worst Case Scenario: Lakers battle injuries all season, particularly Davis and James. They do not reach The Finals.

Grade: A

Memphis Grizzlies: 38-34 (2^nd Southwest Division; No. 8 Seed in West); 18-18 at home, 20-16 on the road; Won versus San Antonio Spurs (100-96) in the inaugural Play-In Tournament on May 19; Won at Golden State Warriors (117-112) in overtime in the Play-In Tournament; Lost to No. 1 Seeded Utah Jazz 4-1 in West Quarterfinals.

-113.3 ppg-15^th; opp. ppg: 110.9-10^th; 46.5 rpg-4^th

They fell short of returning to the playoff losing out on the No. 8 Seed to boys from “Rip City” in the Play-In game in the restart in Orlando, FL. They put themselves in that same position again and won both games in the inaugural West Play-In Tournament to earn their first trip to the postseason after a four-year absence. They won their first game against the league’s best team all season but their inexperience showed following that and they went down in five games. With their young core in place led by their young and ever improving floor general and the return to good health of their talented big man, the challenge for the Grizzlies is to become a better perimeter shooting team while showing they can win consistently at home.

In a season where they had their ups and downs early under second-year head coach Taylor Jenkins, including being tied with the Wizards for the most games rescheduled because of health and safety protocols, the Grizzlies were 22-23 their first 45 games of 2020-21. A 16-11 mark to finish the regular season, which included a 6-2 mark their final eight games of the regular season, including five straight wins from May 8-14.

The Grizzlies got into position for their first playoff berth since 2017 behind reign 2019-20 Kia Rookie of the Year guard Ja Morant (19.1 ppg, 7.4 apg, 44.9 FG%), whose athleticism and competitive spirit has taken the city of Memphis and the NBA by storm. He became just the sixth player in NBA history to average 17 points and seven assists per game in each of their first two NBA seasons.

After leading all rookies with 11 double-doubles, including two triple-doubles in his rookie season in 2019-20, Morant, the No. 2 overall pick in 2019 draft out of Murray State University had 14 double-doubles a season ago, including a triple double of 15 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds in the Grizzlies 122-113 win versus the Thunder on Feb. 17.

The year before drafting Morant, the Grizzlies selected forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. (14.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, No. 4 overall, out of Michigan State University, who got everyone’s attention with his ability as a big man to make threes consistently at 38.4 percent his first two NBA seasons.

The problem for the son of NBA champion Jaren Jackson, Sr., who played the NBA as well as overseas and in other leagues from (1989-2002), winning a title with the Spurs in 1998-99 strike shortened season, he has not played a full season in his NBA career so far, which included missing 56 games a season ago, missing 61 games in total recovering from a torn meniscus in his left knee sustained in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL.

While Jackson, Jr. returned late last season, playing in 11 regular season games down the stretch in 2020-21, he just was not himself as expected being out that long as demonstrated by 42.4 percent from the field, and 28.2 percent from three-point range.

Picking up the slack without Jackson, Jr. to start the season was Dillon Brooks (17.2 ppg-career-high) who showed last season he can get hot from the perimeter and can be a nuisance at the defensive end.

For much of his career first with the Spurs his first four NBA seasons and his first two with the Grizzlies, Kyle Anderson was a player who played his role and filled the up the box score in a way that he stayed in his lane and did not do too much.

Last season, the man affectionately called “Slow-Mo” had a breakout season with career-highs averages in points (12.4) with 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 46.8 percent from the floor and making 94 triples on 36 percent from three-point range.

Anderson registered seven games with 20 points or more a season ago, more than tripling his two career games scoring 20-plus points entering 2020-21.

While the Grizzlies front office of President Jason Wexler, GM Zachary Kleiman, and Chairman and Governor Robert Pera hit the jackpot in drafting Morant and Jackson, Jr., they have also struck gold in drafting the supporting cast around those players.

Forward Brandon Clarke (10.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 51.7 FG%) has been very steady as a reserve/spot starter his first two seasons with the Grizzlies with his explosive athleticism and versatility on both ends of the floor. As a starter a season ago, the Gonzaga product averaged 13.9 points and 5.9 rebounds on 51.6 percent shooting.

The Grizzlies latest find last season was Desmond Bane (9.2 ppg, 46.9 FG%, 43.2 3-Pt.%), who gave something that the Grizzlies really lacked quite a bit a season ago, accuracy from three-point range.

Bane, the No. 30 overall pick in 2020 draft out of Texas Christian University (TCU) 43.2 percent from three-point range led all rookies last season and broke former Grizzlies O.J. Mayo’s franchise three-point percentage for a single-season that was previously 36.4 percent in 2008-09 by Mayo. Only Juan Carlos Navarro (156) made more threes for a rookie in a single season in Grizzlies history than the 117 made by Bane, who made the 2020-21 All-Rookie Second Team.

Last season, the Grizzlies were No. 20 in three-point percentage at 35.6 percent. Were No. 24 in threes made at 11.2 in 2020-21 and were No. 23 in threes attempted at 31.4.

The Grizzlies made their money offensively in the paint, on the offensive glass, scoring off their opponent’ mistakes and on the break.

They led the NBA with 17.3 fast break points and 55.8 points in the paint per game in 2020-21. Finished No. 3 in the league a season ago averaging 18.5 points off opponent’s turnovers and No. 2 in second chance points per game at 15.0.

The Grizzlies had a streak of 89 straight games scoring at least 40 points in the paint snapped in their 89-85 win versus the Heat on Mar. 17.

The only weakness in Morant’s game is his ability to make jumpers, especially from three-point range consistently, hitting 30.3 percent of his threes in 2020-21. It is something he got better at shooting 34.4 percent from three-point range post All-Star break, after shooting just 23.3 percent on his triple tries before the All-Star break a season ago.

Every team has a so-called Three-and-D guy, who can make threes and guard the best perimeter player on the opposing team. Guard De’Anthony Melton (9.1 ppg), the No. 46 overall pick by the Rockets, who the Grizzlies acquired from the Suns in early July 2019 and signed to a multi-year contract extension in late November 2020 is that type of player for the Grizzlies. He came into the NBA out of USC as a solid defender and improved his three-point accuracy from 28.6 percent the season before to 41.2 percent in 2020-21.

Another rookie who flashed some promise a season ago was big man Xavier Tillman, Sr. (6.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 55.9 FG%), the No. 35 overall pick in the 2020 draft also out of Michigan State University.

What has allowed Morant to be fresh in a lot of fourth quarters to start off his career is because his understudy Tyus Jones (6.3 ppg, 3.7 apg) is turning into one of the better backup guards in the NBA in his two seasons with the team after his first four NBA seasons with the Timberwolves.

While Jones may not blow you away with his ability to make perimeter shots, he has been a steady hand for the Grizzlies second unit that behind him, Bane, Clarke, and Tillman, Sr. were No. 6 in the NBA in scoring average at 39.1.

The Grizzlies got one step closer to making it back to the playoffs with a 100-96 versus the Spurs in the inaugural West Play-In Tournament.

Grizzlies led 38-19 after the first quarter and closed the game on a 21-6 run after the Spurs overcame a 21-point first half deficit.

Brooks led the way with 24 points and seven rebounds on 10/21 shooting, scoring eight of those 24 points in the fourth quarter. Morant had 20 points with six assists and six rebounds, and Anderson had nine points, six boards and tied a career-high with four block shots.

Grizzlies outscored the Spurs 48-38 in the paint and 18-2 in fastbreak points in the victory, while also recording 11 block shots.

After dropping their season-finale 113-101 at the Warriors on May 16, Grizzlies grinded out 117-112 in overtime at the Warriors in the rematch to earn their first playoff berth since 2017.

With an average age of 24.8 years of the roster, the Grizzlies enter the 2021 Playoffs as the youngest team since the 2011 Oklahoma City Thunder squad led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.

Once leading by as many as 17 points in the opening half, the Grizzlies got two floaters from Morant in the final 48 seconds of overtime and a dunk by Bane off an inbounds pass from Anderson in the final seconds of overtime sealed the win.

Morant finished with 35 points, six assists, six rebounds, and four steals on 14/29 from the field, including 5/10 from three-point range. Brooks chipped in with 14 points. Jackson, Jr. had 11 points. Tillman, Sr. also had 11 points with seven boards, and three blocks. Bane had 10 points, while Anderson had nine points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.

Grizzlies went 15/35 from three-point range, after hitting only 6/25 on their triples in that season-finale loss at the Warriors on May 16. They outscored the Warriors 21-13 in second chance points; 40-27 in bench points and had 14 steals.

The Grizzlies used that moment to win Game 1 of the First-Round at the top seeded Jazz 112-109, overcoming an early 14-point first quarter deficit outscoring the Jazz 66-50 the middle two quarters to lead 94-77 after three quarters and held on for the win. Grizzlies outscored the Jazz 62-42 in the paint.

Brooks led the way scoring 14 of his 31 points in the third quarter, going 13/26 shooting,= and setting a new franchise record for points in a playoff debut, surpassing the old mark of 24 points by Marc Gasol on Apr. 17, 2011 at the Spurs. Morant had 26 points on 11/21 from the floor, while Anderson had 14 points and six steals, setting a new career-high and a new franchise single-game playoff record.

That would be the Grizzlies lone victory of the series as the Jazz experience, particularly late in games took Grizzlies down.

The Grizzlies lost Game 2 (141-129), being unable to overcome a 22-point first half deficit, despite outscoring the Jazz 43-29 in the third quarter, setting a new franchise record with those 43 points in the third on 18/27 from the field, including 5/9 from three-point range.

Morant had a career-high of 47 points with seven assists on 15/26 from the field and 15/20 at the foul line.

Morant In Game 2

-set the single-game (regular season or playoffs) record for scoring in franchise history

-broke Mike Conley’s playoff scoring record.

-became the second youngest player at 21 years and 289 days old to score more than 45 points in a playoff game behind LeBron James who scored 45 points on May 3, 2006 against the Wizards at 21 years, 124 days old.

Most Total Points First Two Career Playoff Games In NBA History
George Mikan: 75 points in 1949 for Minneapolis Lakers
Ja Morant (MEM): 73 points in 2021
Luka Doncic (DAL): 70 points in 2021
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 69 points in 1970 for Bucks
Chris Paul (PHX): 67 points in 2008 for New Orleans Hornets
Julius Erving: 66 points in 1977 for 76ers
Bob Lanier: 1974 for the Pistons

Grizzlies, trailing by as many as 15 points in Game 3, began the fourth quarter on a 13-2 run and Morant gave them the lead at 109-107 with 4:28 left in regulation. But were outscored 14-2 by the Jazz to close the game in the 121-111 loss, to trail in the series 2-1.

Morant had 28 points and seven assists on 10/23 shooting. Brooks had 27 points on 11/24 from the floor. Anderson had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.

Grizzlies overcame a 13-point deficit in the third quarter as they opened the fourth quarter on a 12-2 run and a three-pointer by Melton drew them to within two at 106-104 with 5:30 left in the fourth quarter. But they never got closer as they lost 120-113 to now trail the series 3-1.

Morant had 23 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, while Jackson, Jr. had a season-high of 21 points. Melton had all of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, going 3/6 from three-point range. Brooks also had 21 points.

The Grizzlies season ended with a 126-110 loss at the Jazz in Game 5, where they trailed 47-27 after the first quarter and were down by as many as 35 points, falling to 3-11 all-time when facing elimination in their postseason history.

Morant had 27 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds in the defeat, and Brooks had 27 points, going 3/5 from three-point range. Jackson, Jr. had 15 points, seven boards and three blocks.

Grizzlies, who never led in Game 5 were a -8 in points in the paint in Game 5 (60-52), after being a +68 the first four games of the series.

Where the Grizzlies really struggled in the series was falling behind after the opening period as they were a -51 in the first quarter against the Jazz, getting outscored a total of 165-124 in the opening period.

For the Grizzlies this off-season, they took a measured approach in maintaining the chemistry they built this past season, with the anticipation of the continued growth of their “Big Three” of Morant, Jackson, Jr., Brooks, who are respectably 21, 22, and 22 years of age.

Morant in talking at Media Day to Bally Sports play-by-play commentator Pete Pranica and Grizzlies pre-game and postgame host Rob Fischer that while working out in Miami, Las Vegas, and L.A. that he focused on his consistency with his jump shot on spot ups and off the dribble as well as finishing in the paint off drives.

He also said that he added five pound of muscle to his body to remain healthy during the season.

“I put a lot of work in each and every day in all areas you named,” Morant, who averaged 30.2 points and 8.2 assists on 48.7 percent shooting in the series against the Jazz said to Pranica “I’m just ready to go and just ready for the work to pay off.”

Jackson Jr., who is eligible for a rookie contract extension on Media Day told NBATV’s Dennis Scott via Zoom that he is “healthy,” which allowed him to work on his game as well as his body and is “amped” to get 2021-22 started.

“Just being consistent,” Jackson, Jr. said when asked by Scott on how he take his game to the next level. “Being able to create for myself of the dribble, while getting my guys involved.”

“Just getting better at the game, you know. You play more and more the game slows down. But this is my fourth year. So, at the end of the day, I’ve got to be the guy whose—I know the game. I know how this league works. I know how to get to my spots.”

In a deal with the Pelicans on July 27, the Grizzlies acquired center Steven Adams (7.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 61.4 FG w/Pelicans), guard Eric Bledsoe, the draft rights to guard Ziaire Williams (No. 10 overall pick) out of Stanford University, guard Jared Butler (No. 40 overall pick) out of Baylor University and a Top 10 protected 2022 First-Round pick (via Lakers). They sent in the deal center Jonas Valanciunas, the draft rights to guard Trey Murphy III (No. 17 overall pick) out of University of Virginia and forward BJ Boston (No. 51 overall pick) out of the University of Kentucky to the Pelicans.

While they lost a consistent scorer and rebounder in Valanciunas, the Grizzlies gained in Adams a player who knows his role of setting screens, rebounding, especially on the offensive glass and will be a paint protector and occasional shot blocker.

“I’m coming into a team that was successful last year…The last thing I want to do is coming in and do something that they wouldn’t really expect me doing historically,” Adams said about his role with the team on Oct. 8.

In a draft day deal with the Jazz, the Grizzlies acquired the draft rights to forward/center Santi Aldama (No. 30 overall pick) out of Loyola University (Maryland) in exchange for the draft rights to Butler and two future Second-Round picks.

The Grizzlies dealt guard Grayson Allen to the Bucks for guard/forward Sam Merrill and two future Second-Round picks at the beginning of August.

In a deal with the Clippers in the middle of August, the Grizzlies acquired guards Rajon Rondo and Patrick Beverly, and forward/center Daniel Oturu. They waived Rondo, who signed with the Lakers and Oturu, and dealt Beverly to the Timberwolves in exchange for guard/forward Jarrett Culver and forward/center Juancho Hernangomez.

For Culver, this is a chance for a fresh start after he flamed out with the Timberwolves, who took him No. 6 overall in the 2019 draft out of Texas Tech University.

For him, it is about being able to show he can make outside shots and be another ball handler and playmaker that can possibly take on some of the ball handling duties with Morant on the sidelines.

In a deal with the Celtics in early September, the Grizzlies acquired guards Kris Dunn and Carsen Edwards and a 2026 Second-Round pick swap in exchange for Hernangomez.

While the Grizzlies acquired Marc Gasol from the Lakers in the middle of September along with a 2024 Second-Round pick and cash, Gasol was waived on Sept. 15 allowing him to remain in Spain and retire from the NBA.

The Grizzlies after knocking on the door of the playoffs kicked that door down in 2020-21. With their duo hopefully the next 10 years-plus in place with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, Jr. and the supporting cast of Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, Kyle Anderson, and De’Anthony Melton, the Grizzlies operated this off-season with restraint knowing that they are team to be dealt with in the future. Whether head coach Taylor Jenkins, entering his third season as the Grizzlies’ leader sidelines takes that step this season in a stacked Western Conference remains to be seen.

Best Case Scenario: Grizzlies make it the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. Morant is a first-time All-Star. The Grizzlies are in the Top 5 again in points in the paint; second chance points; and fastbreak points. They improve their three-point shooting.

Worst Case Scenario: Grizzlies miss the playoffs.

Grade: B

Minnesota Timberwolves: 23-45 (4^th Northwest Division; missed the playoffs); 13-23 at home, 10-26 on the road.

-112.1 ppg-18^th; opp. ppg: 117.3-28^th; 43.5 rpg-20^th

Instability in the front office, to their leadership on the sidelines, to constant changing of the roster are the reason why the Minnesota Timberwolves have missed the playoffs in 16 out of the last 17 seasons. Last season they were only about .500 after their first two games and were never near the .500 mark again. Just before the start of this season, they axed their President of Basketball Operations. With their star big man, the return of their floor general as well as the reigning Rookie of the Year, the challenge is to establish some kind of consistency both on the court and in the front office to be in position for better seasons ahead.

After starting the season 2-0, the Timberwolves won just 5 of their next 29 games, which led the firing of then head coach Ryan Saunders after the team’s 103-99 loss Feb. 21 at the Knicks, being replaced the next day by former Raptors assistant coach Chris Finch.

The Timberwolves began 0-5 under Finch but went 16-20 to close the season, which included an 8-6 finish their final 14 games to close 2020-21.

Even with that strong finish by the Timberwolves last season, it was another lost season that saw a lot of injuries but a lot of promise for the future.

Karl-Anthony Towns (24.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 48.6 FG%, 38.7 3-Pt.%) had another season numbers wise registering 10 games with 30 points or more in 2020-21. He along with the 2020-21 Kia MVP Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets and 2020-21 Kia Most Improved Player Julius Randle of the Knicks were the only player to average 24-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and four-plus assists on 39-plus percent from three-point range in 2020-21.

Consecutive Games Scoring In Double Figures Amongst Active Players
LeBron James (LAL): 1,040 consecutive games
Kawhi Leonard (LAC): 173 consecutive games
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN): 161 consecutive games
Brandon Ingram (NOP): 117 consecutive games
Zach LaVine (CHI): 103 consecutive games

But Towns dealt with a lot from a physically and an emotional standpoint a season ago.

He missed seven games from Dec. 27, 2020-Jan. 10 with a dislocated left wrist and the Timberwolves went 0-7 without Towns in the lineup. The 2015-16 Kia Rookie of the Year then missed 13 games being in health and safety protocols after announcing on Twitter Jan. 15 he tested positive for COVID-19. Towns lost his mother Jacqueline Cruz-Towns in Apr. 2020 due to COVID-19 as this was the first season of his NBA career, he did not have his mother watching her from the stands at Target Center. The two-time All-Star also lost several members of his family to COVID-19. Towns on the anniversary of the loss of his mother missed two games. Timberwolves went 0-2 without Towns and went 4-18 overall in 2020-21 without Towns in the lineup.

After playing in all 82 games his first three NBA seasons, Towns has missed a total with the injuries and health and safety protocols a season ago 56 total games the last three seasons.

Along without having Towns for periods of time a season ago, D’Angelo Russell (19.0 ppg, 5.8 apg, 38.7 3-Pt.%) missed a total of 30 games due to injury, including missing 26 straight games from Feb. 10-Apr. 5 following arthroscopic surgery to remove a lose body from his left knee.

Ever since the Timberwolves acquired Russell from the Warriors at the Feb. 6, 2020 trade deadline, he and Towns have only played 25 out of a possible 86 games, with 24 of those 25 games played together coming a season ago. With Russell and Towns in the lineup, the Timberwolves have gone 14-11 overall, including 13-11 in 2020-21.

Another player who missed significant time in 2020-21 was Malik Beasley (19.6 ppg-career-high, 4.4 rpg, 39.9 3-Pt.%), who missed 12 games from Feb. 27-Mar. 27 after pleading guilty to a felony charge of threatening to commit violence to another person back on Sept. 26, 2020. After returning for five games, the former Nugget missed the final 23 games of last season with a Grade 3 strain of his left hamstring.

The one positive for the Timberwolves a season ago is that the No. 1 overall pick out of the University of Georgia Anthony Edwards (19.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg) played to the level of where he was selected, especially after the All-Star break, where he averaged 23.8 points, 5.3 rebounds on 45.4 percent shooting, nearly winning Kia Rookie of the Year that went to Hornets LaMelo Ball.

After registering seven games with 20 points or more the first 32 games of his rookie season, Edwards registered 29 games with 20 points or more the final 40 games of his rookie season. The 11 times he missed out on 20 points, three of those games he scored 19 points.

Rookie Scoring Leaders Post All-Star Break For 2020-21
Anthony Edwards (MIN): 23.8 ppg
Saddiq Bey (DET): 14.5 ppg
Jae’Sean Tate (HOU)L 12.8 ppg
Theo Maledon (OKC)L 12.3 ppg

Edwards set the single-season franchise record for 20-plus point games by a rookie with 36, surpassing the 33 such games registered by Christian Laettner back in the 1992-93 season. That included for Edwards four games in which he scored 30 points or more and he scored at least 25 points 21 times.

Most 20-Point Games By A Rookie in Timberwolves History

                                    Games            Season
Anthony Edwards         36                2020-21
Christian Laettner        33                1992-93
Isaiah “J.R.” Rider       32                1993-94
Karl-Anthony Towns   32               2015-16
Andrew Wiggins           31               2014-15

In the Timberwolves 123-119 win at the Suns on Mar. 18, Edwards scored a season-high 42 points with seven rebounds on 15/31 from the field, making 4 three-pointers and going 8/13 at the foul line, scoring 22 of those 42 points on 9/18 shooting, including 4/9 from three-point range in the opening half. Towns had 41 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists on 15/24 from the floor, going 5/7 from three-point range.

Edwards and Towns joined the Suns’ Walter Davis (rookie) and Hall of Famer in the late Paul Westphal in 1978 as the only two rookie/veteran duo and the fifth pairing in NBA history to score 40 points or more in the same game.

Edwards also scored 42 points going 17/21 shooting, hitting 8/9 from three with six boards and seven assists in the Timberwolves 139-135 loss versus the Grizzlies on May 5.

Those 8 triples by Edwards set a new single-game franchise record and becoming the first teenager in league history to score 40 points and make eight triples on 75 percent or better. Edwards on top of that registered the first 30/5/5 games (points/rebounds/assists) by a rookie in franchise history. The Georgia native also became the youngest rookie in NBA history to make 150 triples in a single season, totaling 171 made threes.

Most Made Three-Pointers For Single Season By A Rookie In NBA History
Donovan Mitchell (UTA): 187 threes in 2017-18
Damian Lillard (POR): 185 threes in 2012-13
Saddiq Bey (DET): 175 threes in 2020-21
Anthony Edwards (MIN): 171 threes in 2020-21
Luka Doncic (DAL): 168 threes in 2018-19

Edwards joined Lakers LeBron James as the only two teenagers with multiple 40-point games in league history.

Youngest Players To Score 40 Points In A Game In NBA History
LeBron James (LAL) 19 years, 88 days old w/Cavaliers
Kevin Durant (BKN): 19 years, 200 days old w/ then Seattle Supersonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder)
Anthony Edwards (MIN): 19 years, 225 days old
Carmelo Anthony (LAL): 19 years, 306 days old w/Nuggets

Fastest to 1,000 Points In NBA History
LeBron James (LAL): 49 games at 19 years, 41 days old w/Cavaliers
Luka Doncic (DAL): 50 games at 19 years, 339 days old
Kevin Durant (BKN) 50 games at 19 years, 146 days old w/then Supersonics (now Thunder)
Carmelo Anthony (LAL): 53 games at 19 years, 256 days old w/Nuggets
Anthony Edwards (MIA)L 56 games at 19 years, 252 days old

With the injuries to Towns, Russell, and Beasley, that opened up playing time for the likes of Naz Reid (11.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 52.3 FG%, 35.1 3-Pt.%), rookie Jaylen Nowell (9.0 ppg), Jaden McDaniels (6.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 36.4 3-Pt.%), Jarred Vanderbilt (5.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 60.6 FG%), and Jordan McLaughlin (5.0 ppg, 35.9 3-Pt.%).

That is how the Timberwolves ranked No. 3 in bench points per game in 2020-21 at 40.2.

In the 2021 off-season the Timberwolves efforts to rebuild themselves back into a playoff perennial occurred without draft picks as they traded away their First and Second-Round picks in 2021 when they acquired Russell back in as mentioned February 2020.

They will have some young talent coming in with the addition of a 6-foot-8 forward/guard Leandro Bolmaro, who played for FC Barcelona after being drafted No. 23 overall in 2020 by the Knicks and his draft rights were dealt to the Timberwolves.

The 21-year-old Bolmaro, who played for Argentina in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo shot better than 50 percent from the floor last season for Spain and reportedly worked out with Coach Finch in Las Vegas in early July.

“I’m really excited,” Bolmaro said on Sept. 16 on joining the Timberwolves. “ I waited for this moment for a long time. I worked like crazy to be here. So, for me, this is a dream come true.”

“I want to help the team to win. After my game will go along. But just, I want to win. I want to do the best I can and try to help. Do the best I can, 100 percent always.”

When it comes to the offensive end, the Timberwolves were impressive at times. But very a inconsistent and undisciplined at other times.

While they ranked No. 11 in assists per game in 2020-21 (25.6), they ranked No. 26 in field goal percentage (44.8); and No. 25 in three-point percentage (34.9 percent). Despite ranking seventh a season ago in three-point attempts at 37.6, the Timberwolves finished No. 12 in threes made per game at 13.1.

The offense did get better and so did the defense to an extent under Coach Finch and that resulted in more wins as last season wound down.

Timberwolves Before and With Coach Finch

Before Finch                  After Finch
     7-29            record          16-20
     -9.1            pt. diff.           -2.0
    107.9            ppg             116.3
    43.5%          FG%           46.1%

While the Timberwolves re-signed Vanderbilt and McLaughlin to new deals over the summer for three years at $13.8 and $6.5 million respectably, the Timberwolves front office led by GM Gersson Rosas felt if this team was going to compete for a playoff spot in the stacked Western Conference, they had to get better defensively.

Despite ranking third in steals per game (8.8); No.5 in block shots (5.5), and in points off turnovers at 18.6 in 2020-21, they were No. 28 in opponent’s field goal percentage (48.2 percent); No. 30, dead last in opponent’s three-point percentage (39.7 percent); and No. 24 in rebounding differential (-2.2).

Meaning the youngest team in terms of average at of 23.9 and had 56 percent of the minutes played by rookies, second- and third-year players a season ago needed some adults on their roster that can hold the rest of the team accountable at that end of the floor.

In a trade with the Cavaliers on July 30, the Timberwolves acquired Taurean Prince (9.5 ppg, 40.1 3-Pt.% in 41 games /Cavaliers), a 2022 Second-Round pick and cash considerations in exchange for guard Ricky Rubio.

The Timberwolves hope he can be a “Three-and-D” guy where he can take on the opposing team’s best perimeter player.

“I’ve been a part of tougher things in my life. It’s just basketball,” Prince said at his introductory presser on Sept. 16. “It’s about the things in between. Staying together. Building that comradery and doing what we have to do to get wins.”

In a trade with the Grizzlies, the Timberwolves acquired guard Patrick Beverly, who was dealt from the Clippers to the Grizzlies back in the middle of August, in exchange for former First-Round pick Jarrett Culver and forward/center Juancho Hernangomez.

Beverly has played in 11 playoff series in nine seasons, while the Timberwolves as a team have played in 11 playoff series in their first 32 seasons of existence.

“As far as fitting in, I’ve played with everybody. So, fitting in won’t be a problem,” Beverly said at his introductory presser on Sept. 15 about joining the Timberwolves. “I think my biggest focus is seeing how locked in we can be each and every night, consistently over a preseason, season, and eventually if we do the right things we get to the playoffs.”

“So, you know, basketballs basketball. That won’t change. But everything else in the middle, I think if you can control that you’ll put yourself in position to win a lot of games.”

One person, who should thrive in this new commitment to the defensive end, if a serious commitment is made is wing Josh Okogie, if he can make any kind of improvement on his perimeter stroke, where he shot just 40.2 percent from the floor and 26.9 percent from three-point range a season ago.

The Timberwolves upcoming season is off to a shaky start as Rosas in late September was unexpectedly axed, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne just six days before the start of training camp.

That had Towns saying at Media Day on Sept. 28 about the firing of Rosas that what happened is something you can “just add to the list.”

“And it’s just the same thing every single time,” Towns said of all the change and turmoil with the Timberwolves. “It’s just something that always leads to instability.”

“I’ve been through numerous front offices. I’ve been through numerous regimes. While being blessed to have so many great teammates to play with, I’ve also didn’t have a chance to really build any true relationships with anybody because always instability. Always change. I’ve been through a lot.”

What makes the timing of this head scratching is that the Timberwolves were in trade talks to acquire All-Star guard Ben Simmons.

Now with Rosas gone, there is no way to knowing if those talks about acquiring Simmons between the Timberwolves front office that is still governed by Glen Taylor with the new ownership group led by MLB legend Alex Rodriguez and E-Commerce mogul Marc Lore waiting in the wings to take over when their final 20 percent of the increment of the $1.5 million purchase is completed.

The deal which also includes the WNBA’s four-time champion Minnesota Lynx was reached between Mr. Taylor, Lore, and Rodriguez in the spring of 2020 and was structured to begin with an initial transfer of a 20 percent stake in the team this upcoming season. An additional 20 percent share in 2022 and an additional 40 percent share in 2023 when they would become controlling owners of the Timberwolves and Lynx.

Until the completion of the sale, Rodriguez said in a Zoom interview with Jorge Sedano on the Sept. 30 addition of ESPN’s “NBA: The Jump” that Taylor is “still in charge” and he and Lore are the “supporting cast” and they are “thrilled” to be mentored by Mr. Taylor.

“We’re very bullish on NBA,” Rodriguez said to Sedano about why he wanted to be an NBA owner. “It’s a global sport. It has tremendous leadership under Adam Silver and it has a young demographic. And then you have a set of owners, over 30 teams that are very intelligent. Some of the world’s best investors. A very progressive league. All those things excited us.”

There has been a lot of change with the Minnesota Timberwolves. A change in players and coaches for the nearly the past two decades. It has not yielded great results, especially over the past half dozen years.

In the six seasons so far of the Karl-Anthony Towns era, he has put up great numbers individually to the tune of 22.9 points and 11.6 rebounds on 52.7 percent from the floor. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves have gone 185-279 in Towns’ first six seasons.

Most Double-Doubles Since 2015-16 Season: Rookie Year of Karl-Anthony Towns
Andre Drummond (PHI): 321                  LeBron James (LAL): 218
Russell Westbrook (LAL): 313                 Hassan Whiteside (UTA): 218
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN): 293            Anthony Davis (LAL): 213
Rudy Gobert (UTA): 273                          James Harden (BKN): 206
Nikola Jokic (DEN): 252

His production and demeanor deserve way better, and while he has the game and hopefully the co-stars in Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russel, and the right head coach in Chris Finch to turn things around. The Timberwolves have two years to right the ship before the contract extension Towns signed in 2018 expires in 2024.

“I just got to go out there and get it done,” Towns said at Media Day on his readiness for 2021-22 season. “I’m more than prepared…I’m mentally ready for this season. So, much different than how I felt last year coming in… Everything’s going to be better than that. So grateful for the opportunity. Grateful for where my mind is at right now. And I’m happy to get the season started.”

Best Case Scenario: The Timberwolves are on the fringe of a spot in the Play-In Tournament. Towns remains healthy and his plays has him in the conversation for his third All-Star selection. Russell stays healthy and builds chemistry with Towns and Edwards. Edwards improves his shooting accuracy and becomes a more complete player. The Timberwolves improve defensively.

Worst Case Scenario: The Timberwolves are injury hit again. Continue to struggle defensively season. Miss the playoffs for the 17^th time in the last 18 seasons.

Grade: C-

New Orleans Pelicans: 31-41 (4^th Southwest Division; missed the playoffs) 18-18 at home, 13-23 on the road.

-114.6 ppg-9^th; opp. ppg: 115.1-25^th; 47.4 rpg-4^th

In stability in the front office, on their sidelines and injuries to key personnel have plagued the squad from the “Big Easy.” in recent years. It cost them their star player chosen No. 1 overall, who forced a trade to L.A. two off-seasons ago. On their third head coach in the last three seasons and some new additions via the draft and trade, the challenge for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021-22 is to play at a level that will put them in position in a rugged Western Conference to make it back to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons and convince their current star player that the best place to build his NBA legacy is with them.

Ever since arriving as the Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations on Apr. 17, 2019, David Griffin hoped to bring some stability build a culture of winning basketball that saw the Pelicans be in the consistent hunt to make the playoffs.

Griffin thought that stability was on the Pelicans sideline in head coach Alvin Gentry, but he was fired after the 2019-20 season and replaced by former Heat, Magic, and Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy.

The results were mixed because the Pelicans under Van Gundy never found any consistency on both ends of the floor.

There were times they looked like they could be in the mix for the playoffs and other times they looked like a team was a ways away.

To put the Pelicans struggles into context a season ago, they lost 12 one possession games. Went 3-10 in games decided by three points or less and blew 14 games where they led by double-digits.

Two big reasons for the losses in close games their inability to defend as well as their inability to make their foul shots consistently a season ago.

The Pelicans were No. 25 in opponent’s three-point percentage, allowing 38 percent from three-point range in 2020-21. They got outscored by 11.7 points per game from the three-point line a season ago, the second worst differential in the 43 seasons since the three-point line was instituted in the NBA.

While the Pelicans ranked No. 2 in the NBA in free throw attempts at 26.1 in 2020-21, they were next to last, No. 29 in free throw percentage at 72.9 percent.

On the offensive side, the Pelicans made their bread and butter mostly at the basket, ranking No. 2 in “The Association” in points in the paint per game and second chance points at 54.4 and 14.9 respectably and were No. 8 in fast break points at 14.1.

The Pelicans ranking this high in these categories is in large part to the production of Zion Williamson (27.0 ppg-8^th NBA, 7.2 rpg, 3.7 apg, 61.1 FG%-8^th NBA), who had a spectacular season that saw him do some historic things in just his third NBA season.

The former No. 1 overall pick in 2019 out of Duke University, who earned his first of many All-Star selections was the four youngest player at 20 years, 24 days old to be selected as an All-Star in NBA history.

A season ago, Williamson became the first player since Hall of Famer Kevin McHale to average 25-plus points on 60 percent shooting for a single-season.

Only Hall of Famers and NBA champions Michael Jordan (34) and David Robinson (31) registered more 20-point games their first 40 NBA games than the 29 by Williamson.

Only Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal (43 games in 1992-93) achieved 1,000 career points faster than Williamson, than the 44 games needed by Williamson, who is tied at that mark with the Nets’ perennial All-Star Blake Griffin. Williamson achieved this mark 59 percent from the floor, which is the highest shooting percentage for a player that scored 1,000 career points in a minimum of 50 games.

A season ago, Williamson had 21 games scoring 30 points or more. Before he turned 21 in early July, the former Duke Blue Devil has registered seven games scoring 30-plus points on 75 percent from the field. In 16 of those 21 times that he scored 30 more in 2020-21 he did not make a three-pointer, which led the NBA.

Most 30-Plus Point Games Through First 55 Games Since 1984-85
Michael Jordan: 20 in 1984-85 w/Bulls
Zion Williamson (NOP): 12 games from 2019-21
Blake Griffin (BKN): 10 games in 2010-11 w/Clippers
Allen Iverson: 10 games in 1996-97 w/76ers (rookie season)

Most Consecutive Games Scoring 20 Points Or More Before Age 21 In NBA History
Zion Williamson (NOP): 25 games
Luka Doncic (DAL): 20 games
LeBron James (LAL): 20 games /Cavaliers

In February, Williamson averaged 27.3 points on 64.7 percent from the floor, becoming the sixth player in NBA history to average 25 points on 65 percent shooting in an NBA calendar year, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Players To Average 25 Points on 65 Percent Shooting In A Calendar Month In The Shot Clock Era (1954-55): Elias Sports Bureau
Wilt Chamberlin in Nov. 1966, Feb. 1967, and Mar. 1968 w/76ers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Dec. 1979 w/Lakers
Bernard King in Jan. 1981 w/Warriors
Charles Barkley in Mar. 1988 w/76ers
Dwight Howard (LAL) in Feb. 2011 w/Magic
Zion Williamson (NOP) in Feb. 2021

A season ago, Williamson led the NBA averaging 20.3 points in the paint, the most in a single-season since Hall of Famer and four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal averaged 20.1 points in the paint for the Lakers in 2001-02.

As great of a scorer as Williamson has been at the start of his NBA career in the paint, Van Gundy experimented with putting the ball in Williamson’s hands at the top of the key as a point forward. That unlocked Williamson’s passing ability, which resulted in 21 games with five assists or more, and when that happened a season ago, the Pelicans went 14-7 and are 21-8 in Williamson’s first two seasons when he has five assists or more

The other thing this did for the Pelicans offensively is it created more space for the Pelicans other star player Brandon Ingram (23.8 ppg-tied career-high, 4.9 rpg, 4.9 apg, 38.1 3-Pt.%) to operate. The 2019-20 All-Star selection and Kia Most Improved Player Recipient a season ago registered 12 games scoring 30 points or more and had four double-doubles.

Since coming to the Pelicans from the Lakers in the deal for perennial All-Star Anthony Davis in the summer of 2019, Ingram has really worked on being a consistent and productive scorer, which has led him to having the fifth longest active streak of scoring in double-figures at 117 consecutive games.

Brandon Ingram’s Scoring By Season
2016-17 w/Lakers: 9.4 ppg
2017-18 w/Lakers: 16.1 ppg
2018-19 w/Pelicans: 18.3 ppg
2019-20 w/Pelicans: 23.8 ppg
2020-21 w/Pelicans: 23.8 ppg

Towards the close of last season when the Pelicans were trying to make a push to get into the inaugural Play-In Tournament, they lost Williamson and Ingram to injury.

Williamson, who missed 11 games in 2020-21, missed the final six games with a fractured left ring finger. Ingram, who also missed 11 total games last season, missed the final six games with a left ankle sprain. The Pelicans went 1-5 without Williamson and Ingram, including their final four games to close out the season and missed the playoffs a third consecutive season.

Whether it was a reaction to the disappointing season or not, Coach Van Gundy was relieved of his duties in the middle of June just eight months into his four-year deal.

“This was a difficult decision as I have tremendous respect for Stan both personally and professionally,” EVP Griffin on June 16. “But we agreed it is in the best interest of our team to move forward in a different direction.”

Griffin said at the time of hiring Van Gundy, 61 that he gave them the best chance to win in the “short term,” and the “best chance” at building a “sustainable future.”

The Pelicans path to a stable future began with hiring of Willie Green as their new head coach in late July.

In the hiring of Green, the Pelicans third head coach in the last three seasons, the Pelicans brought in a player who played “The Association” for 12 seasons (2003-15) with the 76ers, Hawks, Clippers, Magic, and the Hornets in New Orleans. He spent three seasons as an assistant coach on head coach Steve Kerr’s staff with the Warriors (2016-19), winning two championships and the last two seasons on head coach Monty Williams’ staff with the Suns, who lost in 2021 Finals against the Bucks.

Green in his introductory presser said that the Pelicans are “really close to taking that “next step.”

The Pelicans hope that is the case especially after what they in draft and through a couple of trades.

In a deal with the Grizzlies and Hornets, the Pelicans acquired center Jonas Valanciunas (17.1 ppg, 12.5 rpg-3^rd NBA, 59.2 FG%-10^th NBA) and the draft rights to the No. 17 and No. 51 overall picks in the 2021 draft in exchange for center Stephen Adams and the draft rights to the No. 10 and No. 40 overall picks in 2021 draft and a protected 2022 First-Round pick.

In the draft those picks the Pelicans got were guard Troy Murphy (No. 17 overall pick) out of University of Virginia and BJ Boston (No. 51 overall pick) out of University of Kentucky. They dealt the draft rights to forward/guard Ziaire Williams (No. 10 overall pick) out of Stanford University and guard Jared Butler (No. 40 overall pick) out of Baylor University to the Grizzlies. The Pelicans also in the deal sent forward/guard Wes Iwundu to the Hornets.

With the No. 35 pick in the 2021 draft, the Pelicans selected forward/guard Herbert Jones out of Alabama University.

In a trade with the Trail Blazers, the Pelicans acquired a future Second-Round pick and cash considerations in exchange for forward Greg Brown III (No. 43 overall pick) out of University of Texas.

In another deal with the Hornets in late August, the Pelicans acquired guard Devonte Graham (14.8 ppg, 5.4 apg, 37.5 3-Pt.% w/Hornets) in a sign-and-trade, on a new four-year, $47 million deal in exchange for a 2022 First-Round pick (Top 14 protected).

The Pelicans then in early August in a deal with Bulls acquired guards Tomas Satoransky (7.7 ppg, 4.7 apg, 51.4 FG%, 35.6 3-Pt.% w/Bulls) and former LSU guard Garrett Temple (7.6 ppg), and a future Second-Round pick in exchange for Lonzo Ball in a sign-and-trade.

In the middle of August, the Pelicans re-signed forward/guard Josh Hart (9.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg) to a three-year, $38 million deal

The addition of Valanciunas, who had a career season registering a career-high with 49 double doubles in 2020-21 with the Pelicans and is an upgrade over Adams in the fact that the Pelicans have a legitimate low-post threat, who is also an excellent offensive rebounder.

Coach Green said to NBATV’s Dennis Scott via Zoom at Media day that the addition of Valanciunas will add a level of “toughness” as well as a “veteran presence.”

“We have a great group of guys,” Valanciunas who signed a two-year, $30.1 million extension on Wednesday said of his initial feelings about being a part of the Pelicans. “Everybody wants to win. Everybody’s humble and working hard. Now we have to see how we’re going to click on the court.”

“I’m looking forward to joining this team and be even more successful. Do even more things on the court…We can be successful. We just got to put our heads down and work hard to be successful at the end go further and further.”

Backing up Valanciunas you have Willy Hernangomez (7.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 56.3 FG%), who tied a career-high with 11 double doubles a season ago and has shown whether with the Knicks, Hornets, and Pelicans when he gets minutes, he will be productive.

The same can be said for Jaxson Hayes (7.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 62.5 FG%) when he is focused. With Valanciunas now with the team and Hernangomez likely to get the backup minutes, when Hayes does get into the game, he has to play to his strengths from running the floor, setting good screens, and rolling to the basket as a lob threat or scoring on the offensive glass. If he does mix in a few jumpers, that is great. As long as he does not take a steady diet of them when he does get the ball.

In Hart, who from his time with the Lakers and now with the Pelicans brings the versatility to guard some of the best wing players in the game as well as the ability to rebound at a high level from his position and is working on improving his marksmanship from three-point range.

“Just excited,” Hart, who got married in the off-season said at Pelicans Media Day about re-signing. “I think we’re building the right culture. Obviously with the addition of Willie [Green] and everyone else in Devonte, G.T., Tomas. Just excited.”

Hart added about Coach Green, that he is going bring a sense of “comradery, a sense of “leadership” and “accountability” as well as an atmosphere that will be “fun” to come to the gym and get better.

There is a log jam amongst the backcourt that Coach Green with a plethora of good players in Graham, Satoransky, Murphy III, as well as holdovers from last season in Nickeil Alexander-Walker (11.0 ppg, and 2020 First-Round pick Kira Lewis, Jr.

Last season, Alexander-Walker raised his scoring average from 5.7 points his rookie season in 2019-20 to 11.0 and his shooting percentage from 36.8 to 41.9 and his free throw percentage from 67.6 to a respectable 72.7 percent. He led the Pelicans in scoring four times in 2020-21, scoring 30-plus three of those four games, which included a career-high of 37 points on 15/23 shooting, including 5/8 on his threes in the Pelicans 111-106 loss at the Clippers on Jan. 13 on ESPN.

Alexander-Walker at Media Day talked about how he worked to be a more all-around player this summer, like his decision making, taking each possession with a great deal more seriousness.

“It was a big summer in terms of just change, growing and I’m excited” Alexander-Walker said about his growth as a player over the summer.

Alexander-Walker will be in a battle for minutes at the shooting guard spot with Hart and Temple, who like Hart will provide perimeter defense as well as the ability to make threes.

Then there is the wild card in Murphy III, who in 2021 who in his two seasons at UVA shot 42 and 43 percent from three-point range. That marksmanship of 43 percent on his threes in 2020-21 averaging 11.3 points for the Cavaliers is the highest in the last 25 years for that program on a minimum of 100 triple tries. He became the only player in school history for a season shot 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent on his threes, and 90 percent from the charity stripe.

Along with his marksmanship from three, he bring great length defensively, which he displayed at the 2021 NBA Summer League, making the All-NBA Summer League First-Team.

Murphy III at Media Day said the most important thing for him his rookie season is take care of his body.

“It’s a long 82-game season that I’ve never gone through,” Murphy III said. “Everybody talks about the rookie-wall. And so, as much as I want to work hard and you know, just push, and get better, I also got to be smart about it and protect my body because I want help and contribute to this team.”

At the lead guard spot, you have Graham who shot just 37.7 percent from the floor with the Hornets a season ago and lost his starting job to the Kia Rookie of the Year in LaMelo Ball and basically became expendable. His overall shooting and three-point percentage should improve because of the better looks that will be created by Williamson and Ingram.

Satoransky is more of a traditional lead guard who is about getting the ball to his teammates in position to shoot uncontested jumpers or get layups or dunks at the basket.

At the start of his career with the Wizards, he really showed that he can be an effective understudy or be the lead orchestrator for a team. That really did not materialize on a consistent basis in the “Windy City.” But hopefully it will in the “Big Easy.”

If the Pelicans want to play the up-tempo style that Coach Green wants, that means Graham, Satoransky, or Lewis, Jr. will have to play at a level where it is about finding the open man first and then looking for their own offense second.

“We want to get up and down,” Coach Green said to NBATV’s Dennis Scott via Zoom at Media Day about the offensive philosophy he wants his team to play at. “We believe we have a ton of guys that can shoot the ball. It gives Zion. It gives Brandon room to operate.”

The hopes of the Pelicans getting back to the playoffs though rest on the shoulders of Williamson and Ingram.

Beyond working on his game over the summer, Ingram began to show his leadership by gathering some of his teammates in Phoenix, AZ to work out.

Ingram at Media Day said he gathered his team to work out “wanting” to be around his teammates and working together in a way where the team can get better.

“We want to win ultimately. And I think to win, we have to know each other on the offensive and defensive end and be ready for whatever comes,” Ingram said. “Some of us have been together for two years. Some of us have been together for one. So, it was important for us to build and continue to build throughout the summer and be prepared for what’s about to go on right now.”

Williamson took that to heart this summer really putting work in So much so that suffered a broken metatarsal in his right foot during a workouts around time of NBA Summer League that required surgery.

“I think I was overdoing it when I was training because I feel like I have this huge chip on my shoulder. This huge bolder that I was just getting after it overly everyday and it just happened,” Williamson said at Media Day about his injury. “But the process through heeling has been great. Been working with the team. I train every day. So, it’s been good.”

The hope is that Williamson will be ready for the start of the regular season because so far in his NBA career he has yet to play a full season.

Zion Williamson’s Injury History From Duke University To First Two Seasons In NBA
Feb. 2019: sprained right knee (at Duke).
Oct. 2019 With Pelicans: Torn meniscus in right knee, missed first 44 games of his rookie season.
Aug. 2020 With Pelicans: right knee soreness
May 2021: fractured finger
Summer 2021: broken right foot.

Some of these injuries have occurred because Williamson is a bigger guy who plays with a forcefulness, particularly when he attacks the baskets it has put a strain on his body where he has gotten injured a lot, which is no help to the Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans enter a pivotal season, where a lot has to go in their direction if they want to at some point become a playoff perennial moving forward.

Just two seasons back, perennial All-Star Anthony Davis, who hired Rich Paul of “Klutch Sports as his new sports agent wanted out after seeing the Pelicans under the guidance of then GM Dell Demps were nowhere near being a championship team and he got his wish being dealt in the summer of 2019 and help the Lakers win their 17^th title in the restart in Orlando, FL.

Zion Williamson, who is eligible for his rookie max extension the summer of 2022.

How this season goes under new head coach Willie Green will go a long way in deciding if Williamson stays or he decides to position himself to bolt as an unrestricted free agent.

The Pelicans under Griffin have not been hesitant to move on if they feel the head coach is not getting it done as evidenced by the firing of Alvin Gentry and Stan Van Gundy.

The one good thing that Green has in his favor entering his first opportunity as an NBA head coach is a track record as an assistant coach with the Warriors and Suns that have gotten to the next level of either winning a title, which he was a part as mentioned twice in the Bay Area and reached The Finals last season with the Suns.

“There’s always pressure,” Green said to Scott about the sense of urgency of making the playoffs each season. “I think that’s the NBA. If you don’t want pressure and you don’t want to be in these positions as a player or as a coach, its probably not the business for you.”

“There’s pressure on myself. There’s pressure on our guys and I think that’s what we live for. These moments to get out and compete and try to play in the postseason.

Best Case Scenario: The Pelicans make the Play-In Tournament. Williamson and Ingram are injury free and make the All-Star team and are on the fringe of All-NBA selections. The supporting cast and Williamson and Ingram play cohesively on both ends all season.

Worst Case Scenario: The Pelicans miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Williamson misses significant time because of injury. Their defensive struggles and perimeter shooting struggles continue.

Grade: C-

Oklahoma City Thunder: 22-50 (5^th Northwest Division; missed the playoffs); 10-26 at home, 12-24 on the road.

-105.0 ppg-28^th; opp. ppg: 112.0-17^th; 45.6 rpg-6^th

Rebuilding from scratch is a very difficult place to be in professional sports. The Oklahoma City Thunder decided to start on this trek two seasons back. While they made the playoffs in 2020, they wanted to not just make the playoffs but get back to a championship level squad that they were to start the previous decade. With the centerpiece of their team re-signed this off-season and some young players with promise in the fold, the challenge for the Thunder is to see if they have the right players that can keep them on course as they rebuild themselves back into a consistent winner that competes for championships.

The Thunder’s rebuild under first-year head coach Mike Daigneault began quite well as the were at 20-27 on Mar. 31 after a 113-103 win versus the Raptors. The finish to the season was not one to write home about as they went 2-23 the final 25 games of 2020-21, which included a franchise record tying 14-game losing streak from Apr. 2-27. The also compiled a nine-game losing streak before winning their regular-season finale on May 16 versus the Clippers 117-112.

Because of their youth and inexperience, where 60 percent of the minutes come from rookies (20 percent) and second-year players (40 percent), the Thunder a season ago were just 8-39 when trailing after three quarters, including a 1-35 mark when trailing by double-digits after three quarters. They were 7-46 when their opponent scored 100 points or more.

Unlike most teams at the start of a rebuild, they are searching for that centerpiece to build their team around. The Thunder have that centerpiece in guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who set career-highs with 23.7 points and 5.9 assists with 4.7 rebounds on a career-best 50.8 percent from the floor. He registered 10 games scoring 30 points or more in 2020-21.

The only rough part for Gilgeous-Alexander a season ago was that he missed 37 games, including the final 29 games due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Thunder Before And After March 25 NBA Trade Deadline

Before                               After
19-25     record                 3-25
13^th   position in West     15^th
-5.6       pt. diff.                -18.5
35      Games with                0
         Shai-Gilgeous
           Alexander

Then there his running mate for hopefully the next decade Luguentz Dort (14.0 ppg), who scored a career-high 42 points on 16/31 from the field, including 7/11 from three-point range in the Thunder’s 106-86 loss at the Jazz on Apr. 13.

In the Thunder’s 102-99 win versus the Spurs on Feb. 24, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 42 points with eight boards on 13/20 shooting, including 6/11 from three-point range, while Dort capped his 16-point night by hitting the game-winning three-pointer at the final buzzer with 03.9 seconds left, hit fourth three-pointer on his seventh try.

Along with Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder, who had 22 players play for them a season ago, had some of those players really show signs that they could be a part of their future like Darius Bazley (13.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg), who went from registering one double-double to 11 double doubles a season ago.

Ty Jerome, who came up from G League, who had their season in Orlando, FL and looked like he can be either a spot starter or a really good backup by his averages of 10.7 points on 44.6 percent shooting and 42.3 percent from three-point range in 33 games a season ago with the Thunder.

Another Thunder guard who showed that he might have the chops to take a bit out of the NBA is Theo Maledon (10.1 ppg, 3.5 apg), who was a bright spot in the Thunder’s 140-103 loss at the Suns on Apr. 7 when he registered a career-high 33 points on 10/18 from the floor, going 5/7 from three-point range and 8/10 at the foul line. In the Thunder’s 147-125 loss versus the Nets, Maledon scored 24 points going 6/6 on his triple tries, which tied Terrance Ferguson’s single-game franchise record for threes made and became the first rookie in team history to connect on that many threes without a miss.

The other Thunder rookie who displayed his ability to strike a match at time from long range was Aleksej Pokusevski (8.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg), even though he shot just 28 percent from three-point range in 2020-21.

In the Thunder’s aforementioned victory in the season-finale versus the Clippers, Pokusevski had a career-high 29 points with eight boards on 10/19 shooting, hitting 6/9 from three-point range.

Two other players that showed well in 2020-21 are center Isaiah Roby (8.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 48.3 FG%) and forward Gabriel Deck (8.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 47.8 FG%).

Most Made Three-Pointers By A Rookie In Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder History
                                                    Season
Theo Maledon: 105                   2020-21
Dana Barros: 95                        1989-90
Alex Abrines: 94                       2016-17
James Harden (BKN): 93        2009-10
Vladamir Radmanovic: 61      2001-02
Kevin Durant (BKN): 59         2007-08
Aleksej Pokusevski: 58            2020-21
Domantas Sabonis (IND): 51 2016-17
Darius Bazley: 49                     2019-20
Terrance Ferguson: 40            2017-18

In continuing to add assets towards their rebuild, the Thunder in a deal with the Pistons on Mar. 13 acquired forward/guard Svi Mykhailiuk and a 2027 Second-Round pick in exchange for forward/guard Hamidou Diallo.

In a deal with the Heat on Mar. 17, the Thunder acquired forward/center Meyers Leonard, who they waived on Mar. 25 and a 2027 Second-Round pick in exchange for veteran forward Trevor Ariza.

In a three-team deal with the Knicks and 76ers, the Thunder acquired guard Austin Rivers, who they waived, center Tony Bradley from 76ers, and a 2025 and 2026 Second-Round pick from 76ers, in exchange for George Hill, who went to 76ers and forward/guard Terrance Ferguson and guard Vincent Poirier to the Knicks.

Prior to the 2021 NBA Draft, Thunder GM Sam Presti, entering his 14^th season as their lead in the front office said that Thunder in rebuilding their team back into a championship contender need to stand on its own.”

“It needs to be who we are, has to represent our city. I think that’s the big factor. I think a team in Oklahoma City has to represent the values of the city and the community. We stand for something more than what we do. We draw a lot of inspiration from our local community. We have to be our own, one of one.”

That next set of draft picks that the Thunder hope represent the value of OKC and make them a better team are guard Josh Giddey (No. 6 overall pick) from Australia. With the No. overall 18 pick, the Thunder selected guard Tre Mann out of University of Florida.

In a draft night deal with the Rockets, the Thunder acquired a 2022 First-Round pick (via Pistons) and a 2023 First-Round pick (via Wizards) in exchange for center Alperen Sengun (No. 16 overall pick) from Turkey.

In a draft night deal with the Knicks, the Thunder acquired the draft rights to forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (No. 32 overall pick) in exchange for the draft rights to Rokas Jokubaitis (No. 34 overall pick) from Lithuania and Miles McBride (No. 36 overall pick) out of West Virginia University.

In a deal with the Jazz in late July, the Thunder acquired veteran forward/center Derrick Favors (5.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 62.8 FG% w/Jazz) in exchange for a Second-Round pick.

The main move the Thunder made this off-season was sign Gilgeous-Alexander to a five-year, $172 million rookie contract extension, that could reach rise to $207 million if Gilgeous-Alexander makes an of three All-NBA teams.

“We’re all super excited,” Gilgeous-Alexander said at Media Day on Sept. 27 to Bally Sports Nick Gallo and Paris Lawson about the upcoming season. “I guess with a group of young guys, we’re even a little bit more excited… At the end of the day, it’s just basketball, right. It’s all we love to do. We all just want to get out there and play.”

Giddey, who became the fifth Australian born player drafted in the lottery portion of the draft, the first since the 76ers took Ben Simmons No. 1 overall in 2016 averaged 10.9 points, 7.6 assists, and 7.3 boards for the Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s premier basketball league, the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia, earning 2020-21 NBL Rookie of the Year. The 6-foot-8 wing, who at age 17 was the youngest player in NBL history compiled three triple-doubles a season ago.

The Thunder have a player who has a high IQ; has great size; great ballhandler; and is solid in the pick-and-roll. The hope is he plays to the level of some notable Australian born players that have been chosen in the opening-round of the Common Draft Era.

Notable Australian Born Players Drafted In First-Round In Common Draft Era (Since 1966)
Luc Longley (1991): No. 7 overall pick by Timberwolves; won three NBA titles with Bulls (1995-98).
Andrew Bogut (2005): No. 1 overall pick by Bucks; played 15 seasons in the NBA with Bucks, Warriors, Mavericks, and Lakers; won a title in 2015 with Warriors.
Kyrie Irving (BKN) (2011): No. 1 overall pick by Cavaliers; seven-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection; 2012 Kia Rookie of the Year; won a championship 2016 with Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons (PHI): No. 1 overall pick in 2016; three-time All-Star; 2019-20 All-NBA Third Team selection; 2018 Kia Rookie of the Year.

“Hopefully I can take some of that toughness from dad and hopefully my shooting from mom can continue to improve,” Giddey said to ESPN’s Malika Andrews after getting drafted on July 29 on what he plans to show his family in the NBA.

“This is what I’ve been working my whole life. So, to live my dream of playing in NBA. And to have the support from my family and friends from back, it means the world to me. So, I’m looking forward to showing them what I can do on the world stage.”

Giddey came pretty close to showing those skills at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo this summer as he was one of the final cuts for the Australian National team, which was why he could not do any workouts during the NBA pre-draft process.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will finish at the bottom of the Western Conference for 2021-22 and be back in the draft lottery. This season as well as likely the next couple is about to developing and see what players are going to a part of their future plans alongside Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort. About seeing if Darius Bazley, whose entering his third season take another step in his development? What will Theo Maledon, who spent the entire offseason in Oklahoma City to work on his game and improve his physique and shined at Summer League show in season two? Did Pokusevski get stronger this off-season as well as improve his overall shooting as well as his three-point accuracy?

Which is why training camp according to the team has been extremely competitive.

“I mean, we all want to compete. We all want to win,” Dort said in late September. “We go hard, and that’s the tone we want to set, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Giddey echoed those same sentiments by saying of his first NBA training camp, “We’re competing hard and whose ever in front of me or whoever I’m in front of, we’re going at each other trying to make each other better. So, that’s all that matters right now with us.”

Two years ago, Thunder GM Sam Presti explained his plan of using the draft to build the Thunder back into a title contender. That planned netted him three future Kia MVPs in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.

While there is no guarantee that the Thunder will come up aces by drafting those kinds of players again, with 18 First-Round picks and 18 Second-Round picks over the next seven seasons, which they acquired in the trades of Westbrook to the Rockets in 2019; Paul George to the Clippers in 2019; and Chris Paul to the Suns in 2020, they will have several cracks at it. Hopefully they come up aces again and find a way to keep those hopeful future MVPs in the fold if that does happen.

Thunder’s Future First-Round Picks from 2022-2026

2022: Own, Clippers’ and Suns [own to Hawks if 15-30]
2023: Own or Clippers swap and Heat’s [if 15-30]
2024: Own, Clippers’ and Rockets’ [if 5-30]
2025: Own, 76ers’ and can swap with Rockets or Clippers [if 11-30]
2026: Own, Rockets and Clippers [if 5-30]

The good news for the Thunder, they already have a centerpiece to build their team around in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They have players that have shown that they can be the supporting cast around Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort in Darius Bazley, Theo Maledon, Ty Jerome, Aleksej Pokusevski, Ty Jerome, and hopefully Josh Giddey. They a have an identity for which they will draft players that fit that identity of being a fabric in the Oklahoma City, OK community. They will have fans back at Paycom Arena after not having any fan attendance because of the COVID-19 Pandemic last season.

More than anything, they have head coach in Mark Daigneault and GM Presti that are on the same page in terms of the direction they want to take the Thunder. That is back to title contention.

“The last season-and-a-half has really been all about enduring. It’s about being resourceful. It’s about being resilient. And it stretched us and tested kind of our muscles in those ways, Coach Daigneault said to Gallo and Lawson at Media Day. “We’re not there yet and we don’t want to be complacent with that obviously. But we have new opportunities from practice time to the Blue. To playing in front of our fans.”

“We’re hoping those pay dividends for us. But we’re excited that things are starting to feel a little bit different.”

Best Case Scenario: Thunder are competitive in a major of their games this season. Gilgeous-Alexander continues to get better as a player both as a leader on and off the court. Giddey makes one of the two All-Rookie teams. Dort, Maledon, and Pokusevski, continue to develop.

Worst Case Scenario: A season of several long losing streaks where games are blowouts.

Grade: B

Phoenix Suns: 51-21 (1^st Pacific Division; No. 2 in West); 27-9 at home, 24-12 on the road; Defeated the No. 7 Seeded Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in West Quarterfinals; Defeated the No. 3 Seeded Denver Nuggets 4-0 in West Semifinals; Defeated the No. 4 Seeded Los Angeles Clippers 4-2 in Western Conference Finals; Lost to No. 3 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks 4-2 in NBA Finals.

-115.3 ppg-7^th; opp. ppg: 107.4-3^rd; 42.9 rpg-23^rd

After going 8-0 in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL just missing out on the playoffs, the Phoenix Suns behind the Hall of Famer floor general, the ascension of his starting backcourt partner, the accelerated development of their starting center and their head coach’s message of accountability and discipline being executed on the floor returned to the playoffs after an 11-year absence and had a magical playoff run where they fell two games short of winning their first Larry O’Brien trophy in franchise history. With their dynamic backcourt intact with the re-signing of their floor general; added depth with a couple of new additions and a third season under their head coach’s tutelage, the challenge for the Suns is use what they gained a season ago and use it as fuel to get back to The Finals in an even more stacked Western Conference.

The Suns under the Governorship Robert Sarver since 2004 struck out on a number of lottery picks and free agents, and some choices at head coach. They did hit the jackpot a couple of times with the selection of guard Devin Booker at No. 13 in 2015 out of University of Kentucky and center Deandre Ayton No. 1 overall three years later. In May 2019, they hired Monty Williams as their new head coach.

While things did not get off to a smooth start two seasons back under Coach Williams, the Suns began to show signs that his message of hard work, discipline, attention to detail and work ethic paying off as they went undefeated in the restart and were so close at making the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

That off-season, the Suns acquired the veteran that brought the experience and poise that got them over the hump literally and figuratively in 10-time All-Star Chris Paul and they signed veteran forward Jae Crowder, who helped guide the Heat to the 2020 Finals on a three-year, $30 million deal.

After an 8-8 start to 2020-21, the Suns went 43-13 the remainder of the regular season finishing with the No. 2 Seed in the West and battled with the Jazz for the No. 1 Seed in the West post All-Star break. The Suns won their 7^th Pacific Division title in franchise history, winning their first division crown since 2006-07 season. They became the fifth team in NBA history to increase their win total by 15-plus victories in back-to-back regular seasons.

Chris Paul (16.4 ppg, 8.9 apg-4^th NBA, 4. 5rpg, 49.9 FG%, 39.5 3-Pt.%) in season No. 16 was every bit the future Hall of Famer “Point God” registering 25 double doubles and led the NBA at 93.4 percent shooting at the free throw line.

Chris Paul In First Season With New Team In His NBA Career
                                          Season     Win% Improvement
New Orleans Hornets    2005-06                +.243
Clippers                          2011-12                +.216
Rockets                           2017-18                +.122
Thunder                         2019-20                +.013
Suns                                2020-21                +.248

In the Suns 111-94 win on Mar. 21 versus Lakers on NBATV, Chris Paul had 11 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds for his 16^th career triple-double and became the 6^th player in NBA history with 10,000 career assists and joined Hall of Famers in new Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and John Stockton as the only three players with 10,000 career assists and 2,000 career steals.

In the Suns 128-127 overtime win at the Bucks on Apr. 19, Paul passed Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson for No. 5 on NBA’s All-Time Assists list.

In the Suns 134-118 overtime win at the Cavaliers, Paul had 23 points, 16 assists and no turnovers, which was the eighth game of his career registering over 15 assists and zero turnovers, trailing only the 14 such games by Hall of Famer John Stockton.

NBA All-Time Assists Leaders
John Stockton: 15,806
Jason Kidd: 12,091
Steve Nash: 10,335
Mark Jackson: 10,334
Chris Paul (PHX): 10,275

Along with the acquisition of Paul in the 2020 off-season, the Suns added championship experience as well as another perimeter threat the aforementioned Crowder (10.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 38.9 3-Pt.%), who made over 120 total threes for the fourth time in his career while defending bigger forwards.

Prior to last season, Booker was the NBA’s best kept secret because his player simply got better and better showing he was one of the better scoring guards and developed into one of the best shooters in the game. But he was not getting recognized on a national level because the Suns were not winning games.

Suns Win Totals Since Drafting Devin Booker In 2015
23 wins in 2015-16
24 wins in 2016-17
21 wins in 2017-18
19 wins in 2018-19
34 wins in 2019-20

That all changed first when Monty Williams came to the “Valley of the Sun” the season before and then Paul came this past off-season.

The result Booker’s (25.6 ppg, 4.3 apg, 4.2 rpg, 48.4 FG%) became an even deadlier scorer as he averaged 22-plus points for the fifth consecutive season. Booker had 22 games in 2020-21 scoring 30 points or more, tied with Damian Lillard for No. 8 in NBA, which included two games scoring 40 or more.

In the Suns 127-121 win at the Trail Blazers on Mar. 11, Booker had 35 points on 12/21 shooting, going 3/5 from three-point range, becoming the 8^th youngest player at age 24 years, 132 days to reach 100 career games scoring 30 points or more, reaching that mark in his 374^th career game.

Youngest Players To Reach 100 Career 30-Point Games In NBA History
LeBron James (LAL): 21 years, 364 days
Kevin Durant (BKN): 22 years, 166 days
Bob McAdoo: 23 years, 160 days
Carmelo Anthony (LAL): 23 years, 312 days
Oscar Robertson: 23 years, 355 days
Shaquille O’Neal: 24 years, 16 days
Michael Jordan: 24 years, 49 days
Devin Booker (PHX): 24 years, 132 days

Paul, who earned his 11^th career All-Star selection, while Booker earned his second straight became the first pair of Suns to be named All-Stars since Hall of Famer and Nets’ head coach Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire in 2010.

After a difficult start to last season under Coach Williams, Ayton (14.4 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 62.6 FG%-4^th NBA) really found that sweet spot becoming the Suns defensive anchor in the paint and exceptional scorer in the paint. He had 33 double doubles a season ago.

Along with the emergence of Ayton and Booker, the Suns saw serious growth from two of their other former lottery picks in Mikal Bridges (13.5 ppg, 54.3 FG%, 42.5 3-Pt.%) and Cameron Johnson (9.6 ppg), who both hit over 100 three-points in 2020-21.

The Suns went 19-2 last season when Bridges scored 18 points or more. He made 134 total threes in 2020-21, making over 100 triples for the second time in his first three NBA seasons.

Also providing consistent perimeter shooting from the front court was Dario Saric (8.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 44.7 FG%) and Frank Kaminsky III (6.6 ppg, 47.1 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%), who revived his career after flaming out as the No. 9 overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 2015 draft.

After underachieving as a No. 14 overall pick by the Thunder in 2015 and stops with the Bulls and Cavaliers, guard Cameron Payne (8.4 ppg, 3.6 apg, 48.4 FG%, 44.0 3-Pt.%) took his opportunity with the Suns in the restart and carried it over being a solid understudy to Paul.

Three things that helped the Suns be as consistent as they were a season ago was good health and being a balanced team on both ends of the hardwood.

Thanks to Paul and Payne, the Suns were No. 3 in assists per game (26.9) and committed on average of just 12.0 turnovers per game (4^th NBA). They ranked No. 2 in field goal percentage and No. 7 in three-point percentage (37.8).

The Suns on the opposite end, the Suns ranked No. 5 in opponent’s three-point percentage (35.4 percent) and were No. 5 in steals per game (6.9). They were 14-1 in the regular season when holding opponents under 100 points.

Amongst their key players in Paul (2), Ayton (3), Booker (5), Crowder (12), Payne (12), and Saric (22) missed just a total of 56 games in 2020-21.

That good health and balance on both ends earned the Suns the fourth best home record and the best road record in the league in 2020-21 as they earned their first playoff appearance since spring of 2010, where they reached the Western Conference Finals and lost the eventual NBA champion Lakers in six games.

The Suns looked every bit like a No. 2 Seed taking down the defending champion Lakers in Game 1 of their opening-round series 99-90, building a 16-point lead early and holding off a late Lakers rally to earn their first playoff victory since Game of the 2010 West Finals May 25, 2010.

Suns outscored the Lakers 52-44 in the paint and 16-9 in fastbreak points, and outrebounded them 47-33, including 16-10 on the offensive glass, outscoring them 21-10 in second chance points.

In their playoff debuts, Booker tied the Suns playoff record for a playoff debut with 34 points, eight boards and seven assists on 13/26 shooting making three triples. Ayton had 21 points and 16 boards, going 10/11 from the floor.

Booker, who entered the 2021 postseason having played the most career regular season games by an active player making their playoff debut at 9,395 tied Hall of Fame Charles Barkley’s mark for Suns’ player in their playoff debut with 34 points in the Suns’ loss in the opener of the First-Round of the 1993 NBA Playoffs versus the Lakers.

The only downer in the win was that Paul hurt his right shoulder.

Suns would drop Game 2 (109-102) versus Lakers, tying the series at 1-1 and lost Game 3 (109-105) in L.A. to fall behind 2-1 in the series.

While Booker (31 points) and Ayton (22 points, 10 boards, 11/13 shooting) had strong Game 2 performances, the Suns lost Game 2 because they had zero made field goals the final four minutes of the contest after they cut into the Lakers 15-point halftime lead.

In Game 3, the Suns cut a once 21-point deficit to eight points late in the fourth quarter but got no closer as they were outscored 58-38 in the paint in Game 3.

Booker struggled scoring just 19 points on 6/19 shooting. Paul, after just seven points and eight assists on 3/8 shooting in Game 1 and just six points and five assists on 2/5 from the floor in Game 2 had just seven points and six assists on 3/8 from the floor in Game 3.

Suns overcame an 11-point second quarter deficit outscoring the Lakers 77-68 the final three quarters in the 100-92 win in Game 4 to tie the series at 2-2 and earned their first road playoff win since May 9, 2010 at the Spurs in West Semis.

The Suns took over in the third quarter outscoring the Lakers 27-15, going up by as many as 18 points and a three-point late in the four quarter by Crowder stemmed the Lakers rally when they cut the Suns lead to seven points late in regulation.

Paul had 12 of his 18 points and all nine of his assists in the second half with three steals and no turnovers. Crowder had 17 points with seven rebounds, making three triples. Ayton had 14 points and 17 rebounds.

Suns outscored the Lakers 44-36 in the paint and 16-13 in fastbreak points, while registering 24 assists.

Paul had his sixth career playoff game with nine-plus assists and zero turnovers, the most in NBA playoff history.

The Suns obliterated the Lakers 115-85 to be one win away from their first playoff series win in 11 seasons blowing the game open outscoring the Lakers 32-10 in the second quarter and outscored the Lakers 113-75 after starting the contest down 10-5, leading 66-36 at half.

Booker, who shot 11/33 totaling 36 points in Games 3 and 4 in L.A. had 22 of his 30 points in the first half on 13/23 shooting, scoring 18 points on 7/10 shooting in the second quarter.

After registering 19 points and seven assists with three triples in Game 2, followed by 15 points, six assists and four steals in Game 3, Payne had 16 points in Game 5 off the bench.

Suns scored 23 points off 16 Lakers turnovers; outscored them 44-32 in the paint and had 29 assists.

The Suns finished off the Lakers back in L.A. 113-100 to win the series and end the Lakers title run in six games leading 36-14 after the first quarter and led wire-to-wire up by 62-41 at the half and led by as many as 29 points.

Suns went 18/35 from three-point range and 21/22 at the foul line; registered 24 assists and had nine block shots.

Booker had 47 points and 11 rebounds on 15/22 shooting, including 8/10 from three-point range, scoring 22 of those 47 points on 8/9 shooting, including 6/6 from three-point range in the first quarter, tying the NBA playoff record for most threes in a quarter in NBA Playoff history. Crowder had 18 points and eight boards, going 6/9 from three-point range. Paul had eight points and 12 assists.

Most Points In Series Clinching Win All-Time Versus Defending Champion In NBA Playoff History
                                        Points             Team                    Opponent
Bob Pettit                         50         Hawks (St. Louis)          Celtics
Devin Booker                   47                 Suns                        Lakers
Kevin Durant (BKN)      39              Warriors                  Cavaliers
Kobe Bryant                    39               Lakers                       Spurs
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar   38               Lakers                     Supersonics

Most Points Against The Lakers In NBA Playoff History
Eric “Sleepy” Floyd: 51 points
Allen Iverson: 48 points
Devin Booker (PHX): 47 points
John Havlicek: 43 points
Isiah Thomas: 43 points

In the Semifinals, the Suns would make short work of the No. 3 Seeded Nuggets sweeping them 4-0.

They won Game 1 122-105 by outscoring the Nuggets 39-12 from the 7:20 mark of the third quarter to the 8:20 mark of the fourth quarter overcoming a nine-point deficit in the third period. That was part of a 34-9 run to overcome a 70-60 deficit in the third quarter. Suns outscored the Nuggets 65-47 in the second half.

Suns registered 30 assists and went 13/34 from three-point range and 17/20 at the foul line.

Bridges led the way with 23 points, five boards, and five assists on 4/8 from three-point range. Booker had 21 points and eight assists, Paul had 21 points and 11 assists, 14 of those 21 points coming in the fourth quarter. Ayton had 20 points and 10 boards.

This was the Suns fourth straight playoff win, including their third victory in a row by double-digits.

That dominant performance in from the middle of the fourth quarter to early in the fourth quarter of Game 1 carried over into Game 2 as the Suns went 18/38 from three-point range in the 123-98 win to go up in the series 2-0, leading by as many as 31 points.

Booker led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds, hitting three of those 18 Suns triples. Paul had 17 points and 15 assists. Bridges had 16 points, while Ayton had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Suns won Game 3 at the Nuggets 116-102 going 15/21 (71.4 percent) from the floor in the first quarter to lead 37-27 at the end of the period and used a 14-2 to run spanning the third and fourth quarters to lead by as many as 20 points.

Booker had 28 points on 11/23 shooting. Paul had 27 points, eight assists, six boards and three steals.

Suns took a 3-0 in a best-of-seven playoff series for only the third time in franchise history in recording their sixth straight playoff win, including their fourth straight by double-digits.

The Suns would conclude matters in Game 4 winning 125-118 at the Nuggets leading from basically start to finish leading by as many as 16 points in the third quarter and holding on for their seventh straight playoff win, setting a new franchise playoff record for consecutive postseason wins. They advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2010.

While the went just 8/22 from three-point range, they still shot 51.8 percent from the floor and were 29/31 at the foul line and had six block shots, with four of those six coming from Crowder, who also had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Suns outscored the Nuggets by 34 points in the third quarter of the series

Paul led the way scoring 25 of his 37 points in the second half with seven assists on 14/19 shooting. Booker, who his fifth game scoring 30 points so far in the playoffs had 21 of his 34 points in the first half with 11 rebounds on 11/25 from the field and 10/11 at the foul line.

Paul will be in the Conference Finals for the second time in his 16-year NBA career (first appearance in 2018 with Rockets).

Paul in Game 4

-25 points on 10/12 shooting in the second half.
-scored 13 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter.
-made a career-high 10 shots from mid-range, including going 6/6 in the third quarter.
-37 points are the most in a game (regular season or playoffs) since May 8, 2018.
-joined Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone as the only players to score at least 35 points in a playoff game at age 36 or older.

Paul through two rounds of 2021 Playoffs has totaled 87 assists and just 14 turnovers, including 53 assists and just six miscues the last five playoff games. He totaled 41 assists and just five turnovers in the Semis against the Nuggets. He shot 26/33 in Games 3 and 4 at the Nuggets and totaled 43 points and 20 assists and no turnovers on 16/19 shooting, including 4/4 on his threes in the fourth quarter of the Semis against the Nuggets.

For the sixth time in his postseason career, Paul averaged at least 20 points and 10 assists for a series with his averages of 25.5 points and 10.3 assists with five boards against the Nuggets

In their first appearance in the West Finals in a decade, the Suns defeated the Clippers 120-114 without Paul, who was in health and safety protocol.

Booker led the way with his first career triple-double of scoring 29 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter, with 11 assists and 13 rebounds on 15/29 shooting, including making three triples, Ayton had 20 points, nine boards on 10/14 shooting. Bridges scored 14, Crowder added 13 making three triples, Johnson scored 12, and Payne had 11 points and nine assists starting in place of Paul.

Booker, who had his first career triple-double in his 420^th career game had the second 40-point triple-double in Suns playoff history, with the first registered by Barkley in Game 5 of the West Finals versus the Supersonics (now Thunder). It was also the Suns first triple-double in a playoff game since Steve Nash in 2005.

Triple-Doubles In Suns Postseason History
                                     Year     Series     Opponent
Charles Barkley         1993      WCF     Supersonics
Charles Barkley         1993      Finals        Bulls
Anfernee Hardaway 2000      1^st RD       Spurs
Jason Kidd                 2000      WCSF     Lakers
Steve Nash                  2005      WCSF   Mavericks
Devin Booker             2021       WCF     Clippers

40-Point Triple-Doubles In Conference/Division Finals In NBA History
Oscar Robertson in 1963
Charles Barkley in 1993
LeBron James (LAL) in 2018 w/Cavaliers
Devin Booker (PHX) in 2021

Booker had 18 of his 40 points in the third quarter, including scoring 16 straight points in the period.

The Suns in Game 1 outscored the Clippers 54-34 in the paint; 16-4 in fastbreak points; and had 31 assists and just seven turnovers.

The Suns won another nip and tuck affair with the Clippers winning Game 2 104-103 thanks to an alley-oop dunk in the final seconds by Ayton off an inbounds pass by Crowder with 00.9 seconds left, that has been dubbed the “Valley Oop.”

The Suns now have won nine straight playoff games adding to their franchise record.

Longest Postseason Winning Streaks Last Five Postseasons
Warriors: 15 straight wins in 2017
Cavaliers: 10 straight wins in 2017
Suns: nine straight wins in 2021.

Ayton had his fifth 20/10 (points/rebounds) game of the playoffs, the most since Amar’e Stoudemire registered six such games in 2007.

Payne starting again in place of Paul (health and safety protocol) had a career-high of 29 points with nine assists on 12/24 shooting. Ayton had 24 points and 14 rebounds on 12/15 shooting. Booker had 20 points, while Johnson and Saric added 11 points each.

While the Suns got Paul back after a two-game absence (health and safety protocols), the Suns lost Game 3 106-92 at the Clippers, ending their nine-game playoff winning streak and seeing their series lead cut to 2-1.

Paul had 15 points, 12 assists and three steals in his return but was just 5/19 from the floor. Booker who was playing with a clear mask after suffering a broken nose in Game 2 had just 15 points on 5/21 shooting. Paul and Booker two combined to go just 10/40 from the floor, including 3/14 from three-point range in the loss.

In a defensive struggle in Game 4, the Suns led wire-to-wire, up by as many as 16 points and made their free throws down the stretch to win 84-80, standing one win away from their first Finals appearance in nearly three decades.

While Booker struggled again from the floor going 8/22, including 0/5 from three, had 25 points on 9/11 at the foul line. Ayton after a quite Game 3 with 18 points and nine rebounds, responded with 19 points, 22 rebounds and four blocks. Paul had 18 points and seven assists, while Bridges contributed 13 rebounds.

Despite 36 percent shooting and going 4/20 from three-point range in Game 4, the Suns went 18/21 at the foul line, including 7/8 at the charity stripe in the fourth quarter, which made up for their 4/19 effort from the floor in scoring just 15 points in the period. Paul’s layup with 3:42 left in regulation that put the Suns up 77-74 was the last field goal made in Game 4.

The Suns held the Clippers to 32.5 percent shooting in Game 4, including to just 14 points on 3/19 shooting in the final period.

Turnovers and a poor start eventually doomed the Suns in the Game 5 clincher falling 116-102 to lead the series 3-2.

While a 10-2 run to start the third quarter to lead 62-61 on a Paul jumper with 8:28 left in the period, it would be their only lead of the contest as they would trail 91-78 after three quarters. A three-pointer by Johnson drew the Suns with 98-94 reach capping a 16-7 run in the fourth quarter, the Suns never got the lead as they registered 23 turnovers that led to 24 Clippers points and were just 9/26 from three-point range.

Booker had 31 points, hitting 4/6 from three-point range and 9/11 at the foul line, but was just 9/22 shooting overall, scoring just 12 points on 4/11 shooting in the second half. Paul had 22 points and eight assists but connected on just 8/19 from the floor.

The Suns and Paul got back on track winning Game 6 at the Clippers 130-103 to win the series in six games to become Western Conference champions, earning their first trip to The Finals in 28 years.

Paul, who improved his career record to 10-12 in potential series clinching games scored 31 of his playoff career-high tying 41 points in the second half with eight assists and three steals on 16/24 shooting, including 7/8 from three-point range. Booker had 22 points and seven boards, while Crowder scored 16 of his 19 points in the first half on 5/9 from three-point range. Ayton had 16 points and 17 rebounds.

Suns dominated the Clippers once again in the paint 54-34; shot 17/31 from three-point range; had 27 assists; outrebounded the Clippers 47-32; and outscored the Clippers 19-10 in second chance points.

The Suns who led nearly wire-to-wire stretched a once 10-point lead late in the first half to 17 points in the third quarter and closed the game on a 41-21 run after the Clippers cut the lead to 89-82.

Paul in the last 13:20 of Game 6 out scored the Clippers by himself 27-21 as his 31 points in the second half, on 12/16 shooting, including 5/5 from three-point range set a new career-high (regular season or playoffs) for a half.

Paul scored or assisted on 16 of the Suns 31 third quarter points and scored or assisted on 59 of the Suns 130 points in the Game 6 clincher.

Chris Paul’s All-Time Ranks Amongst Player Without An NBA Finals Appearance
                                                                 NBA Rank
All-Star Selections: 11                                 1^st
All-NBA Selections: 10                                1^st
Playoff Points: 2,573                                    1^st
NBA All-Defensive Selections: 9                1^st

After being a -30 in points scored in the third quarter of the West Finals entering Game 6, the Suns outscored the Clippers 31-26 in the period going 13/25 from the field, hitting 4/7 from three-point range.

Suns joined the 2020 champion Lakers and 1977 champion Trail Blazers to reach The Finals after a 10-year playoff drought. They also joined the 2011 Heat as the two teams the last 35 seasons to reach The Finals three seasons after registering the worst record in the NBA.

From Worst To The Finals Within A Four-Year Span Last 50 Seasons

                                    Notable Addition
1973-77 76ers          Julius “Dr. J.” Erving
1982-86 Rockets        Hakeem Olajuwon
2007-11 Heat               LeBron James
2017-21 Suns                  Chris Paul

The Suns won the first two games of 2021 Finals versus the Eastern Conference champion Bucks to go up 2-0 in the series, halfway to winning their first title in franchise history.

They won Game 1 (118-105) led by Paul with 32 points and nine assists on 12/19 shooting, including 4/7 from three-point range. Booker had 27 points, six assists and three steals, going 10/10 at the foul line. Ayton had 22 points and 19 rebounds.

Paul, who scored 16 of his 32 points on 6/7 from the floor, including 3/3 on his threes in third quarter joined Hall of Famer and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan to as the only players with at least 30 points and nine assists in their Finals debut.

Paul also joined Jordan and fellow Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only three players to score at least 30 points in a Finals game at age 36 or older, which Abdul-Jabbar did six times in The Finals and Hall of Famer of the Spurs Tim Duncan did it in a game in 2013 Finals.

Ayton became the first player with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in one’s Finals debut since Duncan in the 1999 Finals, joined Abdul-Jabbar as the only players with at least 20 points and 15 boards on 70 percent shooting in Finals debut.

In the 118-108 win in Game 2 by the Suns, the Suns went 20/40 from three-point range as they overcame an early nine-point deficit outscoring the Bucks 30-16 in the second quarter to lead by 56-45 at the half behind a 15-4 run to close the period and led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter. They used a 15-8 run to close out the game after the Bucks cut the lead to 103-97 in the fourth period.

Booker scored 21 of his 31 points in the second half going 12/25 from the floor, including 7/12 from three-point range. Bridges had a career-high 27 points and seven rebounds. Crowder had 11 points and 10 rebounds, hitting three triples, matching Bridges, and Ayton had 10 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Suns 20 made threes in Game 2 tied for the second most made threes and became the third team to make 20 threes in a Finals game. Six Suns made multiple triples.

Suns lost Game 3 (120-100) at the Bucks, getting outscored 73-48 in the middle two quarters and were down by as many as 25 in their largest margin of defeat in 2021 Playoffs.

They led by as many as nine points early in the fourth quarter of Game 4 and led 95-90 with 5:30 left in regulation before getting outscored 19-8 by the Bucks in the 109-103 loss that tied the 2021 Finals at 2-2. This was just the second time the Suns lost consecutive games in 2021 Playoffs, since dropping Games 2 and 3 in the First-Round against the Lakers.

While Booker had 18 of his 42 points in the first half, going 17/28 shooting, he had just two points Paul struggled registering just 10 points on 5/13 from the field with seven assists. Ayton while grabbing 17 rebounds had just six points on 3/9 from the floor.

The Suns in Game 4 despite shooting 51.3 percent from the field (40/78), were just 7/23 from three-point range with only 17 assists on their 40 made field goals and had 18 turnovers.

Suns came out like gang busters in Game 5 leading 37-21 after the first quarter. But were outscored 43-24 in the second quarter, and their comeback from a 14-point deficit early in the fourth quarter came up short in the 123-119 defeat versus Bucks, putting them one game away from elimination for the first time in the 2021 Playoffs.

Booker had 11 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter on 17/23 shooting, while Paul, who had 21 points and 11 assists, scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter.

This was the Suns first loss this postseason when leading by double-digits, dropping their mark to 13-1. Ayton had 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Overcoming a 13-point deficit after the opening quarter, the Suns outscored the Bucks 31-13 in the second quarter of Game 6 to lead 47-42 at the half. But were outscored 63-51 in the second half, and 23-16 after the game was tied at 82-82 to fall 105-98 to go down in six games, losing the final four games of the 2021 Finals.

Suns suffered their longest losing streak of the entire season, going 4-6 the remainder of the 2021 Playoffs following a franchise-best nine game playoff winning streak.

Paul became the first player in NBA Playoff history to lose four best-of-seven series in which his team led 2-0.

The Suns and GM Jones, who won 2020-21 NBA Executive of the Year used this summer to improve from within, while adding more depth to their already stacked roster.

They dealt the draft rights to forward/center Day’Ron Sharpe (No. overall pick) out of University of North Carolina and guard Jevon Carter to the Nets in exchange for sharp- shooter Landry Shamet (9.3 ppg, 38.7 3-Pt. w/Nets), who is familiar with Coach Williams when he was an assistant with the 76ers in his rookie season. He was also someone the Suns considered drafting three years ago.

“My goal in camp is to come in, identify my role as quickly as possible, whatever that looks like,” Shamet said of his goal early in training camp. “Whether it’s playing off the ball. Being a threat, shooting the ball. Or if I’m needed in a more ball dominant way. If feel I can play both [guard] positions and that’s something I want to be able to do and show.”

“Learn Devin and Chris and see how I to make that backcourt better and make their lives easier.”

In free agency, the Suns re-signed Chris Paul, who opted out of the final year of his $44.2 million deal and signed a new four-year, $120 million deal on Aug. 2. His understudy Cameron Payne finally got some financial security re-signing on a three-year, $19 million deal. They added more depth at the lead guard spot with the signing of Elfrid Payton (10.1 ppg w/Knicks) on a one-year, $1.6 million deal.

For his inconsistent jump shot, especially from three-point range, Payton, who played for the Suns in 2017-18 bring in another steady floor general who will along with Payne keep Paul’s minutes down and preserve him for the closing stretches of games where he was magical in helping the Suns win four games by one point a season ago. Payton’s also has familiarity from that time with Booker as well.

“I’m always trying to add value. Always trying to help. Trying to leave a place better than I found it,” Payton said of the impact he hopes to have with the Suns. “It’s the same thing every year.”

With Saric to miss the start of 2021-22 season with a torn ACL in his right knee sustained in Game 2 of The Finals, the Suns added some insurance to their front court with the signing of three-time NBA champion center with the Warriors and Lakers JaVale McGee to a one-year, $5 million deal. He also is another veteran presence that can aide in the continued maturation of Ayton like Paul and Coach Williams have done.

“I’m extremely excited. Extremely excited to step into that mentor role and really just try to help him get his mind right to be the best player he can be.” McGee, who helped Team USA win Gold at 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo said at Media Day about being a mentor to Ayton. “He’s already a great player for as young as he is. And I just think he as a couple of steps he can take and be great.”

In The Finals when Ayton went to the bench, the Suns only other big was Kaminsky III, and he was not the rebounder and shot blocker that was needed to deal with the Bucks, especially when Giannis Antetokounmpo decided to attack the basket consistently.

The added depth now gives the Suns an even more complete team ready to take on the challenge of getting back to The Finals in an even more loaded Western Conference.

The relationship between Paul and Coach Williams, which was not easy in their first go-around with the then New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) at the start of the previous decade is as close and respectful as ever.

Paul in his Media Zoom interview with NBATV’s Dennis Scott said that his relationship with Coach Williams has become “bigger” than basketball from the fact that back in Feb. 2016 when Williams was an assistant coach with the Thunder, he lost his wife Ingrid to injuries sustained in a car crash. The couple had five children together. The entire NBA community rallied around Coach Williams when the tragedy happened and one of the first to be there for him was Paul.

“So, when you’re that comfortable with someone, you know how to have that hard conversation,” Paul said about the improved dynamic between him and Coach Williams When it is tough. When I’m playing bad. Whatever it may be, I trust coach.”

Last year’s playoff run made the likes of Booker, Ayton, and Bridges household names it should be expected that their first run in the playoffs is only going improve their games both individually and collectively.

The Suns went 11-2 in the postseason when Bridges scored in double-figures and has continued to progress into a solid three-point shooter and defender and said at Media Day that he worked on improving his ball handling while maintaining that solid perimeter stroke he continues to display, while also continuing his maturation as a guy who can check some of the better wings in the NBA.

“The end goal obviously, we want to be the last team standing. Same thing I said last year,” Bridges said. “Obviously it’s a lot of work and we’ve seen how much work it is and we just got to all take account for what we have to do and take it day-by-day.”

After being the NBA’s best kept secret for the first few years of his NBA career, Booker rose to the moment in his first run in the players scoring 601 total points, the most for a player in his postseason debut in NBA history. He registered 10 games scoring 30 or more, including 40 games with 40 points or more, which included back-to-back games scoring 40-plus points in The Finals. The Suns lost both Game 4 and 5 of Booker scoring 42 and 40 points respectably.

Most Points In First NBA Postseason Appearance In NBA History
Devin Booker (PHX): 601 total points
Rick Barry: 521 total points
Julius Erving: 518 total points
Trae Young (ATL): 461 total points
Maurice Lucas: 403 total points
Carlos Boozer: 400 total points
LeBron James (LAL) 400 total points

Multiple 40-Point Games First Career Postseason Appearance
Rick Barry: 5 such games in 1967
Wilt Chamberlin: 3 such games in 1960
Bob McAdoo: 2 such games in 1974
LeBron James (LAL): 2 such games in 2006 w/Cavaliers
Luke Doncic (DAL) 2 such games in 2020
Devin Booker (PHX): 2 such games in 2021

With the added depth of Shamet, and another year of improvement from Johnson, Booker, who also was a part of Team USA this summer in Tokyo should be fresher late in games especially in the playoffs. For Booker, his biggest improve will come consistent marksmanship from three-point range, where he shot a career-low 34 percent a season ago.

“They even said it’s not going to be easy to get back,” Booker said after a preseason game on Oct. 15 on the journey to get back to The Finals this season. “That’s something that doesn’t need to be said throughout the locker room. We understand that. When Coach Monty says were not sneaking up on anybody this year.”

The one thing that could be an issue for the Suns this season is Ayton not getting his contract extension after a great run in his first postseason, where he averaged 15.8 ppg and 11.8 boards on 66 percent shooting, registering 14 double doubles in 20 games.

After a rough start for Ayton under Coach Williams, where the season before was suspended by the NBA for 25 games in Oct. 2019 for violating the NBA/NBPA’s Anti-Drug Policy after testing positive for a Diruetic and missed in total 35 games because with the suspension and injuries came back in better shape and with a better mindset and played great all season long.

For the guys in the 2018 in Mavericks’ Luka Doncic; Hawks’ Trae Young; Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; and the Nuggets’ Michael Porter, Jr., who got their five-year, $172 million extensions, which could rise to $207 million if they make an All-NBA team, Ayton and the Suns went farther in the playoffs than Doncic, Young, and Porter, Jr. In fact, the Suns swept the Nuggets and Porter, Jr. in the West Semis. On top of that, the Suns earlier in the week signed Bridges to a four-year, $90 million extension.

The problem for the Suns is that this has always been the case under Sarver that he does not want to pay into the luxury tax, which he has not done since 2009-10 season. That is why those Suns squads in the middle of the 2000s led by Steve Nash, Amar’e Stoudemire, and head coach Mike D’Antoni never won a title because of the inability to pay the stars that got them there. Sarver feels Ayton needs to have a similar if not a better season in 2021-22 before they offer him his contract extension.

Since no deal has been reported, which the Suns had until Oct. 18 to get completed, Ayton will be a restricted free agent the summer of 2022, where if he is signed to an offer sheet by any other team, the Suns could match or Ayton could sign a qualifying $16 million offer for next summer and become an unrestricted free agent the summer of 2023.

For now, Ayton is focused on getting back to The Finals season, at least that is what he said at Media Day.

“I just know Phoenix is going to be a lit city,” Ayton said. “We’re the excitement. Some guys we got now, it’s all business.”

He added about the addition of McGee will help him out “a lot.”

“Having another guy almost the same size finally as me is like a dream come true now. I got some help down low and I can get a little breather while on the bench while my guy is taking care of business.”

The shift in the losing culture that plagued the Phoenix Suns for a decade began to waist away with an 8-0 mark in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL just barely making it back to the playoffs in head coach Monty Williams first season. With the addition of Chris Paul and the growth of Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Cameron Payne, the Suns not only made it back to the postseason they reached The Finals for the first time in 28 seasons. But lost in their third appearance in franchise history (1976 and 1993).

With Suns core group back along with the new additions of Landry Shamet, Elfrid Payton, and JaVale McGee, the Suns even with an even more stacked Western Conference believe they have as good a chance of representing the West in the 2022 Finals this spring.

“We just want, one, do what we’ve always done, take it step-by-step,” head coach Monty Williams said about trying to get back to The Finals this season. “Having our focus on having a good camp. Playing well. Getting back to the playoffs.”

“I think they’re hurt more than anything,” Coach Williams added about his inkling of his team losing in 2021 Finals to the Bucks. “And I that’s going to drive them to get better in their personal gains and as a team to hopefully get back there some day.”

Best Case Scenario: The Suns are back in the playoffs as a Top 4 Seed. Paul and Booker are named All-Stars again, while Ayton makes earns his first All-Star selection. The Suns have a Top 10 scoring bench, while continuing to rank in the Top 10 offensively and defensively. Suns get back to Western Conference Finals

Worst Case Scenario: The Suns are in the play-in game possibly. Paul misses a tone of games. Ayton takes a step back in his production. Suns have an early playoff exit.

Grade: A

Portland Trail Blazers: 42-30 (3^rd Northwest Division; No. 6 Seed in West); 20-16 at home, 22-14 on the road; Lost to No. 3 Seeded Denver Nuggets 4-2 in West Quarterfinals.

-116.1 ppg-5^th; opp. ppg: 115.5-27^th; 44.5 rpg-12^th

They made the playoffs for the eighth straight season in 2020-21. But ever since reaching the Conference Finals in 2019, the Portland Trail Blazers for the second straight season and fourth time in the last five seasons were ousted in the First-Round. It led to their head coach getting the axe and brought into question whether their perennial All-Star floor general would demand to be traded to a contender. With a new head coach, that has a championship to his credit as a player; a serious commitment to getting better defensively; and some good additions in free agency, the challenge for the Trail Blazers this season is to get to compile as many wins as possible to be in the best position to advance in the playoffs.

Following a four-game winning streak that put them 11 games over .500 at 29-18, the Trail Blazers compiled a 3-10 mark their next 13 games, which included a six-game losing streak at home from Apr. 11-25, which included going 0-5 during a five-game homestand from Apr. 18-25, losing those games by an average of 3.4 points. The Trail Blazers got back on track going 5-1 on a six-game East Coast road trip from Apr. 27-May 5.

As he had been the previous eight seasons, Damian Lillard (28.8 ppg-3^rd NBA, 7.5 apg-7^th NBA, 45.1 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.%) was just as spectacular making over 200 threes for the sixth consecutive season and seventh time in his first nine seasons in NBA.

The six-time All-NBA selection had three of his 21 career games with eight-plus made threes, tying Nets’ James Harden for second most in the NBA in 2020-21.

Most Games With 8 Made Three-Pointers Or More In NBA History
Stephen Curry (GSW): 61 such games
Damian Lillard (POR): 23 such games
James Harden (BKN): 21 such games
JR Smith: 14 such games
Klay Thompson (GSW): 13 such games.

Only Warriors Stephen Curry registered more games scoring 30 points or more (38) than the 35 such games by Lillard in 2020-21. That included six games scoring 40 points or more by Lillard, who earned his sixth career All-Star selection, including his fourth in a row.

Lillard a season ago moved from No. 22 to No. 10 on the all-time made three-pointers list in NBA history at 2,051 and counting in his career.

Most Seasons In Succession For Six Straight Seasons Or More Amongst Point Guards In NBA History
Allen Iverson: 10 straight such seasons
Oscar Robertson: 9 straight such seasons
Damian Lillard (POR): 6 straight such seasons
Stephen Curry (GSW): 4 straight such seasons

The Trail Blazers needed every bit of Lillard’s offensive production a season particularly early last season with the losses to injury to his longtime backcourt mate CJ McCollum and starting center Jusuf Nurkic.

McCollum (23.2 ppg-career-high, 4.7 apg, 45.8 FG%, 40.2 3-Pt.%), who was on his way to his first All-Star selection, missed 25 straight games from Jan. 18-Mar. 16 with a fractured left foot. Trail Blazers went 14-11 without McCollum in the lineup.

To put into context how potent of a combination Lillard and McCollum have been the last five seasons, they have registered 157 games with both scoring 20 points or more.

Nurkic (11.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 51.4 FG%-career-high) missed 33 straight games from Jan. 16-Mar. 26 with fractured right wrist, missing 35 total games in 2020-21. The Trail Blazers went 20-13 without Nurkic and were 20-15 overall the 35 games Nurkic missed in 2020-21.

On top of that, forward Robert Covington (8.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 37.9 3-Pt.%), who was counted on to be the team’s three-and-D man made 135 triples a season ago, did not play to the level on the defensive end that the Trail Blazers had hoped. He also shot just 40.1 percent overall from the floor, his lowest since his rookie season in 2013-14 with the Rockets.

Over the past few seasons, the Trail Blazers had been in search of a consistent third scorer. They thought that Nurkic could take on that mantle but has not. He shot just 61.9 percent at the foul line, shooting under 65 percent at the foul line for the 6^th time in his first eight NBA seasons. Last season, Nurkic registered 13 double doubles a season ago after registering 27 and 36 double doubles in 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectably his first two full seasons in “Rip City.”

While he showed steady improvement his first three NBA seasons, reserve guard Anfernee Simons (7.8 ppg, 42.6 3-Pt.%-career-high) always left you wanting more.

A perfect example of this was when Simons scored 27 points on 9/10 from three-point range in the Trail Blazers 133-112 win at the Pacers on Apr. 27, where he made his first nine triples, setting a new career-high. Simons joined seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry and the Heat’s Duncan Robinson to score 27 points or more from three-point range in a game in NBA history. Over a two-game stretch, Simons made 13 straight triples, tying an NBA record.

Dating back to last season the Trail Blazers have made at least 10 triples or more in a game in 54 consecutive games, the third longest streak in NBA history, which concluded with a 9/41 performance from distance in the team’s 132-92 loss versus the Mavericks on Mar. 21. The Trail Blazers have made at least 10 triples in 84 out of their last 85 games dating back to the regular season.

Most Consecutive Games With 10 Or Made Triples In NBA History
Rockets: 97 consecutive games from Dec. 13, 2018-Jan. 18, 2020
Rockets: 55 straight games from Oct. 25, 2017-Feb. 25, 2018
Trail Blazers: 54 straight games from Mar. 2, 2020-Mar. 21, 2021
Raptors: 48 straight games from Feb. 2, 2020-Feb. 10, 2021

As a team, the Trail Blazers ranked in 2020-21 No. 2 in threes made (15.7) and attempted (40.8) and were No. 6 in three-point percentage (38.5 percent). They also ranked No. 3 in second chance points per game at 14.6 The problem was that they were a heavy isolation and perimeter shooting team, resulting in ranking No. 19 in fastbreak points per game (11.6) and No. 30, dead last in assists per game (21.3) and points in the paint per game (39.3). They were also tied for No. 29 in bench points per game at (34.7).

At the defensive end, the Trail Blazers had their struggles. While they were No. 10 in block shots per game (4.6), they ranked No. 16 in rebound differential (-0.8) No. 25 in opponent’s field goal percentage (47.3 percent); No. 20 in opponent’s three-point percentage (37.2 percent); were No. 30 in steals (6.1) and No. 24 in points off turnovers (14.9).

At the NBA’s Mar. 25 trade deadline, the Trail Blazers in hopes of finding that consistent third scorer, who could provide consistent perimeter defense acquired forward/guard Norman Powell (18.6 ppg-career-high, 47.7 FG%, 41.1 3-Pt.%) from the Raptors in exchange for forward/guard Gary Trent, Jr., and fellow swingman Rodney Hood.

Unlike years past when the Trail Blazers were one of the best home teams record wise in the league, they were just four games above .500 at home this season but had the third-best road mark in the NBA at 22-14.

In season’s past, the Trail Blazers had one of the NBA’s best records post All-Star break. But were just 13-15 after the NBA’s unofficial break in the schedule.

However, the Trail Blazers won five in a row following their 5-1 aforementioned East Coast road trip and totaled a 10-2 mark their final 12 games of the season overtaking the defending NBA champion Lakers for the No. 6 spot in the West, avoiding playing in the league’s inaugural Play-In Tournament.

In their First-Round tilt against the Nuggets, who they defeated in the 2019 West Semis in seven games, won Game 1 (123-109) at the Nuggets to open their First-Round tilt overcoming a nine-point third quarter deficit to lead 96-86 after three quarters and never trailed in the fourth quarter.

Lillard had his third career 30/10 (points/assists) playoff game 34 points a playoff career-high 13 assists going 5/12 from three-point range, while McCollum had 21 points and six boards hitting three triples. Nurkic had 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists and Simons had 14 points, hitting 4/5 from three-point range.

Trail Blazers went 19/40 from three-point range and 18/19 at the foul line, while registering 29 assists.

They lost Game 2 at the Nuggets 128-109, that tied the series at 1-1 as the Trail Blazers could not overcome 21 turnovers that led to 22 Nuggets points.

Lillard in the first half registered 32 points on 9/15 shooting, including 8/11 from three-point range, finishing with 42 points and 10 assists on 11/24 from the floor, including 9/16 from three-point range, and 11/13 at the foul line.

In registering his third career 40-point game in the playoffs, Lillard tied Vince Carter for the most triples made in the first half of a game in NBA Playoff history.

The Trail Blazers overcame a 12-point first half deficit but were outscored 29-24 by the Nuggets to close the game and fell 120-115, to fall behind 2-1 in the series.

Lillard had 37 points on 15/31 shooting but was just 5/16 from three-point range. McCollum had 22 points and nine rebounds, but was just 8/20 shooting, going just 3/10 from three. Nurkic and 13 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists.

Trail Blazers went 5/17 from three in the first half, finishing just 14/45 from three in the loss.

They tied the series 2-2 with a 115-95 win in Game 4, leading wire-to-wire up by as many as 33 points.

On a night when Lillard had just 10 points on 1/10 shooting, including 1/6 from three with 10 assists and 10 rebounds, Powell picked up the slack with a playoff career-high tying 29 points on 11/15 from the field, going 4/4 from three. McCollum had 21 points and eight boards.

After giving up on average 119 points on 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range, the Trail Blazers held the Nuggets to 34 percent from the field and 29.5 percent (13/44) on their triple tries.

In one of the highest scoring playoff games in NBA history, the Trail Blazers and Nuggets went shot for shot in Game 5, with Lillard playing perhaps the best game of his playoff career. But the Nuggets in the end won a double-overtime thriller 147-140.

The loss waisted an incredible performance by Lillard of a playoff career-high and single-game franchise playoff record of 55 points with 10 assists, six rebounds, and three blocks on 17/24 shooting, including 12/17 from three, and 9/10 at the foul line. McCollum had 18 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. Nurkic added 13 points and 11 rebounds. Powell also had 13 points.

Trail Blazers came back from a 22-point deficit in the second quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 37-27 in the period to trail 65-62 at the half and then led 94-92 after three quarters outscoring the Nuggets 32-27 in the third period. A three-pointer by Lillard tied it 121-121 with 03.0 seconds left in regulation.

Trail Blazers overcame a nine-point deficit in the first overtime with another three by Lillard with 03.4 seconds left that capped a 9-0 run and tied things 135-135 after the first OT.

Lillard banked in a three that put the Trail Blazers up 140-138 in the second overtime before the Nuggets closed things with a 9-0 run of their own.

Trail Blazers in the two overtimes outside of Lillard’s 17 points on 6/8 shooting, and 4/6 from three were just 1/14 shooting and went 0/8 from three.

Covington missed a dunk with 41 seconds left in the second five minutes while McCollum had a critical turnover when he stepped out of bounds with 09.1 seconds left in the second OT.

Lillard In Game 5 At Nuggets
-made 12 threes setting a new single-game NBA playoff record, eclipsing the 11 made threes by the Warriors’ Klay Thompson in Game 6 at the Thunder of the 2016 West Finals May, 208, 2016.

-became the first player in NBA Playoff history with 50 points, 10 assists and 10 made threes in a game.

-scored or assisted on 80 points, tied for the most in a game in NBA Playoff history.

-tied for fifth most points in a playoff game in NBA history with Hall of Famer Michael Jordan (1993, 1997, and 1998), who did on three occasions, fellows Hall of Famer and NBA champion Rick Barry (1967) and Allen Iverson (2001).

In a win or go home scenario in Game 6, the Trail Blazers led by 10 in the first half and by as many as 14 points in the third quarter. But were outscored 65-54 in the second half, including 28-14 in the fourth quarter, and lost 126-115 to have their season end in six games.

This was the Trail Blazers second straight First-Round exit after being in the Conference Finals in 2019 and their fourth opening-round exit in the last five seasons.

Lillard (28 points, 13 assists) had 19 points and seven assists in first half on 7/11 shooting, and 3/5 from three, had just nine points on 1/9 from the field, and 0/6 from three in the second half, including just five points on 1/6 from the field, going 0/3 on his threes in the fourth quarter.

Following another flame out in the playoffs, the Trail Blazers axed head coach Terry Stotts in early June after leading the Trail Blazers to eight straight playoff appearances in his nine seasons with the team, compiling a 402-318 mark, finishing second behind the 453 career coaching wins by the late Hall of Fame head coach Dr. Jack Ramsey in head coaching wins in franchise history.

“We are grateful to Terry’s contributions and his nine years with the Trail Blazers,” team chairwoman Jody Allen said back on June 4. “I appreciate his steadfast dedication to the players, the game, and the broader Portland community.”

Over the summer, Lillard, who helped lead Team USA to Gold at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo denied a July 16 report from TrueHoop.com in the middle of July that he asked for a trade out of “Rip City,” the only team he has played his entire nine-year NBA career with.

But he also expressed his confliction on the matter and hopes that GM Neil Olshey and Chairwoman Allen adds talent to the roster to take him off the fence want out of Portland.

The only activity for the Trail Blazers during the draft was acquiring from the Pelicans forward Greg Brown III (No. 43 overall pick) out of the University of Texas in exchange for a future Second-Round pick and cash considerations.

They said goodbye to forward/center Zach Collins by not extending a $7 million qualifying offer at the start of August making him an unrestricted free agent.

On the free agent front, the Trail Blazers re-signed Powell, who declined his $11.5 million player option of the final year of his contract for this season on July 20 to a new five-year, $90 million deal on Aug. 2.

They signed in free agency center Cody Zeller (9.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 55.9 FG% w/Hornets), forward/guard Tony Snell and guard Ben McLemore (7.7 ppg w/Rockets & Lakers) to respective one-year, $1.6 million deals.

In a three-team deal with the Bulls and Cavaliers, the Trail Blazers acquired forward Larry Nance, Jr. (9.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 47.1 FG%, 36.0 3-Pt.% in 35 games w/Cavaliers), in exchange for forward Derrick Jones, Jr. and a lottery protected 2022 First-Round pick.

The biggest move for the Trail Blazers was at head coach in hiring 2004 Finals MVP and five-time All-Star Chauncey Billups, who was an assistant coach with the Clippers a season ago as their 15^th head coach in franchise history in late June on a five-year deal.

“I’m very excited and humbled to be the next coach of the Trail Blazers,” Billups, 44, who played 17 seasons with the Celtics, Raptors, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Pistons, Knicks, and Clippers said in a statement on June 27.

The hire did come with some controversy news came out of Billups alleged rape allegation back in his rookie season in 1997 with the Celtics. The three-time All-NBA selection was never charged and the case was settled in 2000.

GM Olshey said that he and the Trail Blazers conducted their own background check as a part of their hiring process as well as their own independent investigation. Their finding they found out everything Billups told them was true.

“We stand behind Chauncey,” Olshey said at Billups’ introductory presser as the team’s head coach.

“I learned a lot at a very young age as a player-not only as a player but a young man, a young adult that every decision has consequences,” Billups said of that moment of indiscretion. “And that led to some really, really, healthy, but tough conversations that I’ve had to have with my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time in 1997, and my daughters about what actually happened and about what they may have ready about me in the news and in the media.”

When asked if Lillard was involved in the coaching search that was narrowed down to Billups, Mike D’Antoni, now with the Pelicans, and Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, Olshey said that Lillard was involved in various phases and had the chance to talk to the three finalist.

The one good thing about the hiring of Billups is that he and Lillard have develop a good relationship over the years and will now get to know each other on an even higher level. Billups said though it will not change who either one is as well as what they are about.

Through an interview via Zoom at Media Day, Lillard said to NBATV’s Dennis Scott about the hiring of Billups, one of the six African American head coaches hired out of the seven NBA openings in the off-season said as soon as Billups was hired, they began communicating over the phone.

When Lillard got back to Portland, OR sometime later in the off-season, the two meet in person at some of Lillard’s workouts talking through things.

“We was locked in, right away,” Lillard said to Scott about that early time he and Coach Billups spent together. “And I just think his experience as a player and the fact that he played my position it gives me a lot more to talk about.”

“So, we definitely off to a great start and it’s important for me to be a part of his success. We don’t have a lot of African American head coaches that walk into the greatest opportunities. And you know, him coming here, I want to be a part of his success and I know he wants to be a part of my success.”

For any kind of success to take place, the Trail Blazers have to get more consistent play outside of Lillard and McCollum. They need Nurkic to be a force on both ends in the paint, which he said he wants to be to get the Trail Blazers over the hump in the playoffs.

“We all know what we got to get over this hump,” Nurkic, who averaged 13.2 points and 10.3 rebounds in the series loss against the Nuggets at Media Day. “Our expectations is always team first for me and it’s not going to change for me…I’m a team first player.”

Norman Powell needs to be a defensive force on the perimeter as well as consistent third scoring option behind Lillard and McCollum.

“We want to win a championship and if we’re serious about that, we’re going to have to take more accountability as far as ourselves and what we need to do to reach that goal,” Po

“From me talking to Chauncey, especially Neil, it’s the defensive end,” Powell said. “Holding yourself to the standard of doing what needs to be done. The physicality. The little things, rotations, things like that. Talking, finishing plays. Not resting on that side of the ball, which is going to get us over that hump.”

There was also a lot of talk this summer about the possibility to trading McCollum to get more offensive help for Lillard. It is something that Lillard has gotten used to and has gone with the approach that he can only control what he can control from always working on his game in the summertime. Finding ways to continue to improve.

“It’s going to be what it’s going to be at the end of the day,” McCollum said on the Sept. 8 edition of ESPN’s “Jalen & Jacoby” with NBA studio analyst Jalen Rose and David Jacoby. “I control what I can control. Continue to work on my game. Continue to take advantage of my summers. Try to improve…Show up and do your job.”

When asked about the new commitment to the defensive end, McCollum said to Rose and Jacoby that “it’s time” after being a Top 5, Top 10 offensive of the last half of dozen years he and Lillard have started in the backcourt for the Trail Blazers to bring their attention to the defensive end of the floor and make strides so they do not have another flame out in the playoffs.

Making the playoffs on a consistent basis is something to be respected in the NBA. That said, making some noise in the playoffs is how you build a legacy both as a player and as a franchise.

The Trail Blazers have only gotten to the Conference Finals just once two seasons back. In four out of the last five seasons, they have been bounced out of the First-Round. It has waisted some of the prime years of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

If the Trail Blazers want Lillard to finish his amazing career in “Rip City” the supporting cast has to get better on both ends of the floor. They need Robert Covington and Norman Powell to be that three-and-D guy that he has made himself into prior to coming to Portland. They need Jusuf Nurkic to be a dominant force on both ends in the middle. They need some of their two late-round picks in recent years in Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little to grow up both in their maturity and their games on the floor. They need the ancillary players in along with Covington in Larry Nance, Jr., Ben McLemore to play at consistent level.

The clock is ticking and if they want Lillard to remain and try to compete for a title in “Rip City,” the Trail Blazers have to win in the regular season and advance in the postseason.

“I’ve always been a person I go out on my shield,” Lillard on the significance of staying with the Trail Blazers trying to win a title. “Anytime I had a fight. Anytime I was ever a part of something, I’ll go out on my shield.”

“All those things that I’ve stuck with, and like these were the end results of it has me here. What keeps me so invested here is like, I want to see it through. I want to see it happen here

Best Case Scenario: Trail Blazers are at Top 5 Seed in the West. Lillard is an All-Star again. McCollum and Nurkic are healthy and have solid seasons. Billups has the Trail Blazers playing better defense. Powell, Nance, Jr., Simons, and Covington have impactful years on both ends. The Trail Blazers advance past the First-Round of the playoffs.

Worst Case Scenario: Trail Blazers have to make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. The defense does not improve. Trail Blazers have another First-Round exit in the playoffs. Lillard is on the trading block at season’s end.

Grade: D-

Sacramento Kings: 31-41 (5^th Pacific Division; missed the playoffs) 16-20 at home, 15-21 on the road.

-113.7 ppg-11^th; opp. ppg: 119.0-27^th; 41.4 rpg-27^th

Striking out more often than not with their high draft picks. Their front office and coaching staff not being on the same page. Inconsistency at the defensive end. These three reasons are why the Sacramento Kings have the longest current playoff drought currently in “The Association” of 15 straight seasons. It has not helped that one of their current lottery picks has spent more time in civilian clothes than on the court in the early stages of his NBA career. The challenge for the Kings this season is to bring it defensively, stay healthy and play as a team on both ends.”

Head Coach Luke Walton’s squad began last season 5-10. Then compiled a 7-1 mark from Jan. 22-Feb. 7. Then lost nine in a row from Feb. 9-25, giving up on average 126.3 points. That was followed by a 10-5 mark from Feb. 26-Mar. 9, which included a five-game winning streak from Mar. 22-31, providing hope they can reach the inaugural Play-In Tournament to make the playoffs. Those dreams vanished with a 9-16 finish the final 25 games of last season, which included another nine-game skid from Mar. 31-Apr. 18 and a three-game losing streak to close out the season, where the Kings allowed on average 120.3 points.

That inconsistency by the Kings a season ago can be traced to their effort or lack thereof at the defensive end, where they dead last, No. 30 in opponent’s field goal percentage; No. 26 in opponent’s three-point percentage (38 percent) and rebound differential (-3.8); and ranked No. 13 in block shots per game at 4.7.

It did not help that some of their key players missed time because of injury or health and safety protocols.

Starting lead guard De’Aaron Fox (25.2 ppg-career-high, 7.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 47.7 FG%), missed 14 games overall, including the final 13 games (health and safety protocols).

Harrison Barnes (16.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 49.7 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.%) missed 14 total game last season, including the final 11 games with a left adductor strain.

Rookie sensation Tyrese Haliburton (13.0 ppg, 5.3 apg, 47.2 FG%, 40.9 3-Pt.%), who surprised with his selection to the 2020-21 NBA All-Rookie First Team missed 14 total games, including the final eight games of last season with a hyperextended left knee.

Starting center Richaun Holmes (14.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 63.7 FG%-2^nd NBA), who had a career-best 21 double-doubles in 2020-21 and 34 total double-doubles the last two seasons with the Kings, missed 11 games.

The one Kings player that has been hit by the injury bug the hardest is forward Marvin Bagley III, No. 2 overall pick back in 2018 out of Duke University.

Bagley III (14.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 50.4 FG%) has counting the 29 games in total he missed a season ago, including the final 11 games with right groin tightness been shelved for 108 games his first three NBA seasons.

One Kings player that was healthy for all of last season was Buddy Hield (16.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 39.1 3-Pt.%). That said, he has since getting traded from the Pelicans in exchange for then All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins back in 2017, he has had this back and fourth with Coach Walton about being a starter when he has shown to be a more efficient scorer and shooter off the bench.

This summer, Hield nearly got traded to the Lakers before that deal did not materialize and the Lakers went in a different direction.

All the good teams, which make the playoffs and are in the championship conversation have rosters where players know their roles and star in their roles.

The Kings have not made the playoffs since 2006 because of the likes of Hield at times putting their own personal goals ahead of the team.

However, when the Kings had Fox, Hield, Holmes, Bagley III, and Barnes start a season ago, the Kings were 15-17, and just 16-24 with any other starting combination.

In need of a spark during their struggles early in the season, the Kings at the Mar. 25 trade deadline in a deal with the Heat acquired forward Maurice Harkless (6.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg in 26 games w/Kings) and forward Chris Silva in exchange for forward Nemanja Bjelica. In another deadline deal, the Kings acquired from the Pistons guard Delon Wright in exchange for veteran guard Cory Joseph, and a 2021 and 2024 Second-Round picks. In a deal with the Raptors, the Kings acquired guard Terence Davis II (8.7 ppg, 36.7 3-Pt.%) in exchange for a 2021 Second-Round pick.

After two 10-day contracts with the Lakers, the Kings signed center Damian Jones (6.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 65.7 FG% in 17 games w/Kings) to first a 10-day contract on Apr. 7 and then to a multi-year deal on Apr. 28.

Back in the draft lottery again the Kings front office led by General Manager Monte McNair and Governor Vivek Randive went looking for another young prospect to get them back to competing for the playoffs.

In the 2021 draft back in late July, the Kings selected with the No. 9 overall pick guard Davion Mitchell out of Baylor University.

The 22-year-old Mitchell, who helped lead the Bears to the NCAA National title over Gonzaga in 2020-21 breathes, sleeps, eats, and drinks defense. Is a great on the ball defender as well as off the ball, especially in the pick-and-roll. Is obsessed with film study.

To put into context how obsessed Mitchell is with playing defense, he flew to one of the games of the 2021 Finals to watch to watch the Bucks’ Jrue Holiday play defense in person.

He has drawn comparisons to some of the elite on ball defenders in the NBA like the Timberwolves Patrick Beverly. He has also been compared to the Jazz’s All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell for his foot work and how he sets up to take pull up jumpers.

“I think I’m just blessed just to put my name in those conversations, man because those guys are really good players,” Mitchell said back on June 22 to the ESPN “NBA Countdown” crew of Maria Taylor, Jalen Rose, Jay Williams, and Adrian Wojnarowski. “I’m blessed to be compared to those people. I put in a lot of work for this moment here.”

That attitude to doing all the little things to prepare to win a game made Mitchell, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2020-21 a champion playing recreational basketball, AAU, high school, leading Liberty County High in Heinzville, GA to its first state title for Liberty County and then for Baylor where he transferred to after first attending Auburn University.

Mitchell showed well in 2021 Summer League in Las Vegas, NV averaging 10.8 points and 5.8 assists on 47.1 percent from three.

Mitchell’s defensive tenacity and ability to facilitate gives the Kings not just someone who can guard multiple positions but can also gives Coach Walton another option to use where he can have him on the floor with Fox and Haliburton.

One person on the Kings coaching staff that will enjoy working with Mitchell, especially when it comes to talking defense is new assistant coach Doug Christie, who is joining the staff after spending the last few seasons working as a Kings television color analyst.

“For me just playing in an NBA game. That’s what I’m looking forward to,” Mitchell said at Media Day. “I’m excited to actually to play in a real NBA game. Playing with my teammates. Playing with Sacramento.”

“Just off the California Classic, just to see the fans here. Playing in front of them and like I said trying to win games.”

In the offseason, the Kings re-signed Harkless to a two-year, $9 million deal. They also re-signed Davis II to a two-year, $8 million deal, and Holmes to a well-deserved four-year, $55 million deal.

In a three-team trade with the Hawks and Celtics, the Kings added some veteran championship experience, leadership, and toughness in center Tristan Thompson (7.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 51.8 FG% w/Celtics) in exchange for Delon Wright, who went to the Hawks.

It also reunites him with Coach Walton, who was his teammate when the two played with the Cavaliers some years back, where Thompson helped them win a title in with the Cavaliers in 2016.

“I’m excited to be here,” Thompson said at Media Day. “With this team with a lot of great young talent I want to be able to come in and pay my knowledge that I’ve learned from the guys before me forward…Just help these younger guys. They have a lot of potential and I know they want to be great. And I think what I can bring to the table that knowledge. But know what it takes to win.”

Along with being the best defender in the 2021 draft, Mitchell really improved his offensive game a season ago where he averaged 14 points, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals (2^nd Big 12), on 45 percent from three-point range, up from 32 percent from three in 2019-20.

For the Kings to get back to being a playoff team, it will take serious growth from Fox and Bagley III, along with good health and continued growth from Haliburton.

In Fox, they have the floor general who is very skilled as well as talented as he demonstrated by registering 18 games scoring 30 points or more, including three games with 40 points or more.

For Fox though, he has to become a more consistent shooter from three-point range, where he struggled a season ago shooting just 32.2 percent and at the foul line, where in the 7.2 tries he averaged at the charity stripe a season ago, he only connected on 71.9 percent of those chances.

“For me it’s always been continue to shoot the ball better, and then just continue to get my body right,” Fox said at Media Day via Zoom to NBATV’s Dennis Scott on improving his game.

Haliburton was the steal of the 2020 draft when the Kings took him No. 12 overall a season ago out of Iowa State. He brought an ability to score, shoot, and the ability to run the offense and move Fox off the ball. Coach Walton said on the Sept. 17 edition of ESPN’s “NBA: The Jump” that Haliburton, and Fox put on some muscle during the off-season.

“Something that I’ve continued to say is ‘iron sharpens iron.’ So, the best way for us to get better is to come in here and compete and not hold back against each other,” Haliburton said at Media Day about the competition in the crowded Kings backcourt. “That’s gonna help us be better at the end of the day when guys are competing hard on an everyday basis.”

Competing hard is one thing. It is another to be available to compete. Something that Bagley III has not been able to do so far in his first three NBA seasons.

To put this into better context, Bagley III had 19 double doubles in 62 games his rookie season. He has registered 14 double doubles combined the last two seasons.

There were also reports that the Kings were shopping Bagley III this summer, which really did not bother the former Duke Blue Devil, who said that he worked his tail off in preparation for this season to be ready for what will be an important season for him.

“I’m just happy to be here,” Bagley III said. “I’m happy to kind of be in a spot where I can get better and continue to keep moving forward.”

“I’m in a good spot. I’m right where God wanted me to be and I’m just ready to start of another and continue to show the world what I can do.”

The Kings have not made the playoffs in 15 consecutive seasons, which is not only the longest playoff drought current in the NBA but is tied with the Clippers franchise, that began as the Buffalo Braves, who moved to San Diego and then Los Angeles for the longest playoff drought in NBA history. Also, the

If the Sacramento Kings want to have a chance of ending that playoff drought this season, they have to get better defensively and they have to be more cohesive to where the team goals are important and not individual objectives, which can be hard for young players trying to establish themselves.

The Kings enter this season with a deep roster, especially in the backcourt with De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Terence Davis II, and Davion Mitchell. They added some depth in the front court with veteran Tristan Thompson alongside Damian Jones, Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley III.

It is on head coach Luke Walton to get this talented roster to play to its fullest potential and compete to at least get in the Play-In Tournament and hopefully the playoffs. If not, Coach Walton’s third season as Kings leader on the sideline could be his last.

“For us, just come out and be as consistent as we can be,” Fox said to Scott about competing for the playoffs this season. “I think that’s what we’ve been lacking. It’s been the consistency.”

“So, just being able to come out on a winning streak. Not letting one or two losses turn into four, five, or six. So, just being able to be consistent in this league is something you have to be as a player and as team to be able to succeed in this league.”

Best Case Scenario: The Kings are competing for a spot in the Play-In Tournament. Fox is in the mix for his first All-Star selection. The Kings play more consistent defense. They stay healthy.

Worst Case Scenario: The Kings set the record for the longest playoff drought in NBA history at a not so sweet 16 straight seasons missing the playoffs.

Grade: C+

San Antonio Spurs: 33-39 (3^rd Southwest Division; missed the playoffs); 14-22 at home, 19-17 on the road; Lost in West Play-In Tournament 100-96 at Memphis Grizzlies May 19.

-111.1 ppg-20^th; opp. ppg: 107.9-9^th; 43.9 rpg-18^th

After missing the playoffs in 2019-20, ending their NBA-record tying streak of 22 straight seasons reaching the playoffs, tying an NBA record, winning five championships in that span, the San Antonio Spurs with their leadership on the sidelines and in the front office would be back there in no time flat. But after a poor finish to the regular season and falling in the inaugural Play-In Tournament, they seemed even further away to getting back to the postseason. With significant changes to their roster that is now filled with young and talented players, with a mix of some vets, and the longest tenured head coach in the NBA, the challenge for the Spurs is to develop their core young talent while competing to win games to get back to the playoffs.

The Spurs got off to a solid start in 2020-21 going 16-11 their first 27 games. But a COVID-19 outbreak knocked them off kilter going 17-28 the remainder of the season, including going 2-10 their final 12 games, dropping their final four games of the season and seven of their final eight games.

While the COVID-19 outbreak was a big factor in the five-time NBA champion Spurs struggles to close the season, head coach Gregg Popovich’s squad also made the decision to turn the keys over to the youngsters that are expected to carry the team into the future.

Starting lead guard Dejounte Murray (15.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 5.4 apg, 45.3 FG%) had a career-high 13 double-doubles, including four triple-doubles a season ago.

Continuing his ascension as one of the top defensive guards in the league, Murray showed some progress with his jump shot to go along with his continued progression as an all-around player and leader on the hardwood.

An ankle injury limited Derrick White (15.4 ppg) limited him to just 36 games in 2020-21. When he has been healthy though, he has shown to be one of the league’s rising defensive players with the ability to make perimeter shots, which was a struggle last season making just 41.1 percent from the floor and just 34.6 percent of his threes.

The player who showed some real promise a season ago was guard Keldon Johnson (12.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 47.9 FG%), who had eight double-doubles a season ago and showed his progression as a shooter going from 13 made threes as a rookie to 63 made threes in his sophomore season.

The same can be said for forward/guard Lonnie Walker IV (11.2 ppg, 35.5 3-Pt.%) who brings uncanny athleticism as well as an ever-improving jump shot, making 100 triples a season ago after making a combined 46 threes his first two NBA seasons.

On March 10, the Spurs and veteran forward LaMarcus Aldridge mutually parted ways as the Spurs waived the seven-time All-Star.

This opened up more minutes for center Jakob Poeltl (8.6 ppg-career-high, 7.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg, 61.6 FG%-7^th NBA), who came over along with perennial All-Star DeMar DeRozan from the Raptors in the Kawhi Leonard deal three off-seasons back showed he can be the team’s starting center moving forward registering 15 double-doubles in 2020-21 after a total of nine double doubles his first four NBA seasons.

Drew Eubanks (5.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 56.6 FG%) had his moments in the pivot as well for the Spurs a season ago.

There were times that the young Spurs showed their ability collectively to be a real pain in the tail for teams. Other times, they showed that they were a young time trying to figure it out on the fly.

They went 28-9 a season ago when they led by 10 points or more at any point in the game. But were just 9-23 in games they trailed by 10 points or more at any point in the game.

The previous season, the Spurs were just 16-15 against sub. 500 teams, one big reason their streak of 22 straight playoff appearances ended in 2019-20. The Spurs stayed in the playoff picture a season ago because of their 21-10 mark against sub .500 squads.

The Spurs also improved their mark on the road, going 19-17 away from home a season ago, after registering a combined 43-76 mark on the road the previous three seasons.

In their tilt at the Grizzlies in the inaugural West Play-In Tournament, the Spurs showed their grit and toughness coming back from a 21-point first half deficit. But it was not enough as they lost at the Grizzlies 100-96 on May 19, missing the playoffs for a second straight season for the first time ever.

The Spurs overcame a 38-19 deficit after the first quarter, and a first half hole as large as 21 points outscoring the Grizzlies 30-18 in the second quarter and pulled with 83-81 with 6:55 left but got no closer.

Murray had his fifth triple-double on the season with 10 points, 11assists, and 13 rebounds. Johnson had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds and Poeltl registered 10 points and 10 boards with a career-high five of the Spurs seven blocks.

Most Triple-Doubles In Single Season In Spurs History

David Robinson: 5 in 1993-94
Johnny Moore: 5 in 1984-85
Dejounte Murray: 5 in 2020-21
David Robinson: 3 in 1989-90 and 1990-91
Alvin Robertson: 3 in 1985-86
David Robinson: 2 in 1991-92
Alvin Robertson: 2 in 1987-88 and 1988-89

The Spurs this off-season really went full bore in their rebuild, while adding some veteran players that will keep the team either competitive for a return to the playoffs or that will bring assets during this rebuilding period.

In the 2021 NBA Draft in late July, the Spurs with the No. 12 overall pick selected guard Joshua Primo from Toronto, Canada and out of University of Alabama. With the No. 41 overall pick, the Spurs selected guard Joe Wieskamp out of the Iowa University.

In Primo, who is only 18 years old and Wisekamp, the Spurs drafted to of the best shooters in the draft, especially from three-point range. Both have good size at 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-6 respectably and have a good feel for the game.

Whether they crack the lineup, especially with the plethora of versatile wings remains to be seen.

The one thing that both Primo and Wieskamp have in their favor is that they are joining an organization in the Spurs that take great pride in their player development. One they rarely make trades as demonstrated by the fact that their last seven First-Round picks are still on their roster. The Spurs draft and develop their draft picks. Primo and Wieskamp will also be coached by one of the best of all-time in Coach Popovich, who develops a style of play on both ends that is conducive to the roster he has.

This season that style will be pace and space, meaning playing an up-tempo style were a lot of threes will be shot unlike years past.

Spurs Three-Point Attempts By Average Last Three Seasons
   Year             3-Pt. Att.               NBA Rank
2017-18               24.1                         27^th
2018-19               25.3                         30^th
2019-20               28.5                         28^th
2020-21               28.4                         30^th

To put into perspective how the Spurs did not jack up threes a season ago, their 28.4 attempts from three, which was dead last (30^th) a season ago, would have ranked No. 1 in 2013-14.

To bolster their accuracy and attempts from three, the Spurs acquired in early August via sign-and-trade from the Pacers forward Doug McDermott (13.6 ppg, 53.2 FG%, 38.8 3-Pt.% w/Pacers) on a three-year, $42 million deal along with a 2023 Second-Round pick and the rights to swap a 2026 Second-Round pick in exchange for a 2023 Second-Round pick.

“I’m excited,” McDermott said at Media Day about joining the Spurs. “I’ve been a lot of places in my career and just always admired how the Spurs played basketball. Even as a kid watching the glory days with Tim Duncan and Manu [Ginobili] and Tony [Parker]. It’s just been a place I wanted to play, and obviously it starts with Coach Pop and just really excited to be around these guys.”

“Obviously there’s a lot of young talent. I’m not used to being one of the older guys in the room. So, but I’m really excited to kind of take on that role and be a Spur.”

In late August, the Spurs signed guard Bryn Forbes (10.0 ppg, 47.3 FG%, 45.2 3-Pt.%-4^th NBA), who helped the Bucks and former Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer win the title in 2020-21 to a one-year, $4.5 million deal.

The additions of McDermott and Forbes automatically gives the Spurs credibility as a team that will have stellar marksmanship from three-point range this season. In the case of Forbes, who began his NBA career with the Spurs when took a chance on the undrafted guard out of Michigan state improved his average points and three-point percentage in each of his four NBA seasons with the Silver and Black.

Bryn Forbes First Four Seasons As a Spur
Seasons     PPG     3-Pt.%
2016-17      2.6        32.1%
2017-18      6.9        39.0%
2018-19     11.8       42.6%
2019-20     11.2       38.8%

“I have no worries,” Forbes said about his role as a reserve this upcoming season. “I spent the whole last year doing that and being in that role. I’m excited for what the future brings and to get started with these guys.”

Besides adding McDermott and Forbes for their three-point marksmanship and their veteran savvy, the Spurs via a trade with the Bulls added veteran forwards Thaddeus Young (12.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 55.9 FG% w/Bulls) and Al-Farouq Aminu along with a lottery protected First-Round pick and two Second-Round picks in exchange for veteran forward/guard DeMar DeRozan. The Spurs also signed forward/center Zach Collins to a three-year, $22 million deal and re-signed forward Keita Bates-Diop on a two-year.

Collins could be a major add for the Spurs if he can get back on the floor and remain healthy. The former lottery pick missed all of last season recovering from a stress fracture in his left ankle. His gives the Spurs size and versatility on both ends.

The Spurs also convinced a former cornerstone of their last three title teams in Manu Ginobili to come back as the Spurs special advisor to basketball operations.

“His wife needed him gone,” Coach Popovich said jokingly on how Ginobili came back to be with the Spurs. Coach Popovich added on what Ginobili will being doing in his role with the Spurs, “He’s going to everything. He’s going to help me with coaching. He’s going to the help the players with development. He’s going to scout some people…He’s going to do all those things and see where he feels comfortable. It’s just great to have him in the program for all kinds of reasons. But mainly because we love the guy. And he’s Manu Ginobili.”

Ginobili, 44 along with Hall of Famer and assistant coach Tim Duncan, the foundation of all five of those Spurs title and keeps a locker in the coaches’ locker room to work with the Spurs young players will help Coach Popovich speed this rebuild.

“You don’t want to put, you know, limits on anything when you work hard, and you ‘ve got abilities to learn,” Murray said about predictions on the upcoming season for the Spurs. “So, this group, I can look at everybody from when the summer started and you see every face in the gym to now open gym to training camp.”

“Just to see everybody asking questions. Having fun, competing, just having fun with one another. The chemistry off the floor is unbelievable. We’re all around the same age. So, we got a lot of relations there. It all carries onto the basketball floor. So, we just got to come out and compete.”

The real question for the Spurs after this season and moving forward is how much longer does Coach Popovich want to be the Spurs leader on their sidelines?

After helping guide Team USA to another Gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo back in the summertime and they are reportedly looking for a new head coach, the 72-year-old Popovich, entering his 26^th season as Spurs head coach, 25^th full season on the Spurs bench, he can put his focus fully on his team.

Last March he became just the third coach in NBA history to reach, 1,300 career wins joining Nelson and fellow Hall of Famer Lenny Wilken (1,332).

Popovich, who is just 26 wins away from passing Hall of Famer Don Nelson (1,335) on the NBA’s all-time wins list amongst head coaches insisted that the competitiveness of the game keeps him in this and said once, “if that diminishes or disappeared, then I wouldn’t be doing this.”

The great thing for Spurs fans, that competitive spirit and taking on a challenge of coaching a roster with a majority of them in their early to middle 20s is something he relishes.

Spurs Young Core By Age Heading Into 2021-22 Season
Joshua Primo: 18                  Zach Collins: 23
Devin Vassell: 21                   Dejounte Murray: 25
Keldon Johnson: 21              Jakob Poeltl: 25
Lonnie Walker IV: 22          Derrick White: 27

“I’m thrilled with this group,” Coach Popovich said of the Spurs 2021-22 roster at Media Day on Sept. 27. “They’re basically young, energetic, got a lot of speed.”

For over two decades, the San Antonio Spurs were a model of consistency in terms of being a team that was always in the mix for winning the Larry O’Brien trophy. They won five during an NBA-record tying 22 straight postseason appearances led by head coach Gregg Popovich and Hall of Famers David Robinson and Tim Duncan and future Hall of Famers Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker as the headliners. They also developed a plethora of players that played major roles in the Spurs reaching the playoffs those 22 consecutive season like Kawhi Leonard, the 2014 Finals MVP.

This season will be the first time Coach Popovich will begin a season without a current or former All-Star on the roster.

Through their exceptional player development program though, that should not last too much longer for the Spurs, and neither should their playoff drought.

“These guys are just going to have a ball playing,” Coach Popovich said at Media Day about the upcoming season. “It’s going to be simple, simple, simple stuff at both ends of the court.”

“We want a lot of activity. A lot of pace and just play fast. Hopefully play smart along with that But the pace should be enjoyable to watch. These guys, they enjoy each other and it’s exciting to me.”

Best Case Scenario: The Spurs get crack at ending their two-year playoff drought through the Play-In Tournament. Murray, White, Walker, IV, and Johnson take another step in their maturation as Spurs cornerstones. The Spurs return to the playoffs after a two-year absence.

Worst Case Scenario: The Spurs have a few losing streaks of 4 or more games in a row. They miss the playoffs for a third straight season for the first time in franchise history.

Grade: B

Utah Jazz: 52-20 (1^st Northwest Division; No. 1 Seed in West); 31-5 at home, 21-15 on the road; Defeated the No. 8 Seeded Memphis Grizzlies 4-1 in West Quarterfinals; Lost to No. 4 Seeded Los Angeles Clippers 4-2 in West Semifinals.

-116.4 ppg-4^th; opp. ppg: 108.0-5^th; 48.2 rpg-9^th

They compiled the best record in the NBA in 2020-21 by modernizing their offense while maintaining their consistency at the defensive end. Their two best players took their games to an even higher level. The role players had exceptional years, especially shooting the ball from three-point range. Unfortunately, a late season injury to their All-Star guard and then an injury to their All-Star floor general in the end was too much for the Jazz to overcome as their dreams of making a deep playoff run ended in West Semis. With the addition of some veterans to bring more depth to the roster; the re-signing of their floor general, the challenge for the Jazz is to stay healthy and play to the level in the playoffs that they did in the regular season in 2020-21, especially defensively.

After a 4-4 start to last season, the Jazz won 20 of their next 21 games from Jan. 8-Feb. 9, and 24 of their next 29 games, registering an 11-game for Jan. 8-31 and a nine-game winning streak from Feb. 2-17 in that span. That 20-1 mark was the best 21-game stretch in Jazz history.

Jazz 20-1 Mark From Jan. 8-Feb. 9 By The Numbers
                                                NBA Rank
20-1 record                                    1^st
118.3 ppg                                       1^st
+14.0-point differential                1^st
18 wins by 10-plus points            1^st

This stretch would mark a historic trend for head coach Quin Snyder’s bunch offensively in how they went about their business last season.

The Jazz averaged a league-leading 43.0 attempts from three-point range a season ago, making 16.7 made threes per game in 2020-21, which not only led the NBA, but was the most triples made per game in a single season in NBA history, surpassing the 16.1 by the Rockets two seasons back. The Jazz shot 38.9 percent from three-point range in 2020-21, No. 4 in the NBA.

Most Three-Pointers Per Game For A Single Season In NBA History
                           Made 3-Pt.      Season
Jazz                         16.7            2020-21
Rockets                   16.1            2018-19
Trail Blazers          15.7 2020-21
Rockets                   15.6            2019-20

The Jazz made at least 10 threes in all 72 games a season ago and dating back to the final five games in the restart in Orlando, FL in 2019-20, the Jazz have made at least 10 triples in 77 consecutive games, trailing only the Rockets streak of 97 consecutive games with at least 10 made threes in NBA history. They made at least 15 threes in 49 games in 2020-21 and in 17 games made 20 or more threes, registering a mark of 14-3 when that occurred. The Jazz registered with 8 of those 17 making 20 or more triples in January.

The Jazz outscored their opponents by 17.6 points from three-point range last season, the second biggest differential in the 43 seasons of the three-point line in the NBA and was more than double any other team in the league in 2020-21.

In their 132-110 victory at the Hornets on Feb. 22, the Jazz hit a franchise single-game record 28 threes, going 28/55 from the three-point line.

Most Three-Pointers Made In A Single Game In NBA History
                          Made Threes            Date                    Opponent
Bucks                         29                12/29/2020                at Heat
Rockets                     28                  2/1/2021                  at Thunder
Jazz                           28                 2/23/2021                 vs. Hornets
Rockets                     27                 4/7/2019                   vs. Suns
Nets                           27                 2/15/2021                 at Kings
Rockets                     26                12/19/2018                vs. Wizards
Timberwolves          26                  2/8/2021                  vs. Clippers
Jazz                           26                 2/5/2021                   at Hornets
Jazz                           26                 4/3/2021                   vs. Magic
Cavaliers                  25                 3/3/2017                   vs. Timberwolves
Rockets                     25                2/20/2020                  at Warriors
Clippers                    25                8/1/2020                    vs. Pelicans
Jazz                           25                1/8/2021                     at Bucks

Behind their stellar marksmanship from three-point range, Jazz scored 100 points or more in 49 consecutive games from Jan. 24-Apr. 24, a new franchise record. They scored 110 points or more in 33 out of 35 games during that stretch, where from Feb. 9-Apr. 5 scored 110 points or more in 25 straight games, the 10^th longest such streak in NBA history. It also represented the longest high scoring stretch in the NBA since 1981.

In their victory at the Kings on Apr. 28, the Jazz scored a single-game franchise record 154 points in their 49-point win (154-105), surpassing their previous record of 153 points in a game in 1977-78 season as the New Orleans Jazz. They also registered the most points in an NBA game since Nov. 2019.

When the Jazz scored 100 points or more a season ago, they were 51-16 (1-4 when they scored under 100 points). They also were 39-10 in games decided by double-digits (13-10 in games decided by single-digits). Compiled a 42-4 mark when tied or led at the half and 46-2 when tied or leading after three quarters.

Leading their offensive attack was Donovan Mitchell (26.4 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.4 rpg, 38.6 3-Pt.%), who registered career-highs in scoring and assists per game, while tying a career-high in rebounds per game, improving as an all-around player, leading to the 2018 All-Rookie First team selection’s second straight All-Star selection. He made a career-high 178 total threes in 2020-21.

Mitchell’s Scoring Average By Season

2017-18 (rookie season): 20.5 ppg
2018-19: 23.8 ppg
2019-20: 24.0 ppg
2020-21: 26.4 ppg

His 19 games last season with 30 points or more, including four games scoring 40 more or more (tied for No. 5 in NBA) gave Mitchell 63 career such games so far, the third most in franchise history.

Most Career 30-Plus Point Games In Jazz History
Karl Malone: 435 career games
Adrian Dantley: 250 career games
Pete “Pistol” Maravich: 117 career games
Donovan Mitchell: 63 career games and counting
Darrell Griffith: 60 career games
Carlos Boozer: 32 career games
Deron Williams: 30 career games
Gordon Hayward: 27 career games
Truck Robinson: 27 career games
Bojan Bogdanovic: 18 career games and counting

Mitchell’s 26.4 scoring average last season was the highest for a Jazz player in a single season since Hall of Famer Karl Malone’s 25.5 scoring average in 1999-2000 season.

When the Jazz acquired Jordan Clarkson from the Cavaliers on Christmas Eve 2019, they got another scorer who can bring instant offense off the bench. In 2020-21, Clarkson had a career a breakout season with a career-best average of 18.4 points on 34.5 percent from three-point range, hitting a career-high 208 triples, which led all NBA reserves. He hit 203 of those 208 made triples off the bench. Clarkson also shot a career-high 89.6 percent from the foul line. He was also a big reason why the Jazz ranked No. 8 in bench points per game (38.9).

For his career-year, Clarkson won 2020-21 Kia Sixth Man of the Year, the first player to win that honor in Jazz history.

Most Made Three-Pointers Off Bench By A Player For Single-Season NBA History
Wayne Ellington (LAL): 218 made three-pointers in 2017-18 with Pistons.
Terrence Ross (ORL): 217 made three-pointers in 2018-19 with Magic.
Eric Gordon (HOU): 206 made three-pointers in 2016-17 with Rockets.
Jordan Clarkson (UTA): 203 made three-pointers in 2020-21 with Jazz.
Davis Bertans (WAS): 187 made 187 three-pointers in 2019-20 with Wizards.

Clarkson in 2020-21 registered 23 games with at least 20 points. He had five games scoring 30 points or more, including two of the five 40-point games off the bench in franchise history in 2020-21.

He scored 41 points in the 117-116 loss by the Jazz at the Warriors on May. 10. Clarkson scored 40 points in the 134-123 win by the Jazz Feb. 15 versus 76ers.

Five 40-Point Games Off The Bench In Jazz History
John Drew: 42 points Mar. 19, 1984 versus Pistons
Jordan Clarkson: 41 points May 10, 2021 at Warriors
Thurl Bailey: 41 points Mar. 14, 1988 at Nuggets
Nate Williams: 41 points Apr. 10, 1977 for New Orleans Jazz versus Nuggets
Jordan Clarkson: 40 points Feb. 15, 2021 versus 76ers

Dating back to the final 22 games of 2019-20, including the restart in the Orlando, FL, Clarkson had made at least one three-pointer in 94 consecutive games.

After missing the restart in Orlando, FL the year before due to season-ending wrist surgery, Bojan Bogdanovic (17.0 ppg, 39.0 3-Pt.%) came back strong in 2020-21 making a total of 233 threes, marking the third straight season he connected on over 200 total triples.

In a season marked by injuries and being in a new system after playing the first 12 years with the Grizzlies, guard Mike Conley struggled to gain any kind of traction with the Jazz. Conley (16.2 ppg, 6.0 apg, 41.2 3-Pt.%) found his sea legs last season with the Jazz hitting a career-high 138 total threes and becoming both the offensive threat and playmaker the Jazz hoped he would and that resulted in his first All-Star selection in his 14^th season in “The Association” as an injury replacement for Suns’ Devin Booker.

Latest All-Star Debut In NBA History
                                      Year In NBA     Season    Team
Mike Conley (UTA)     14^th season        2020-21    Jazz
Vlade Divac                  12^th season        2000-01    Kings
Tyson Chandler           12^th season        2012-13    Knicks
Kyle Korver                 12^th season        2014-15    Hawks

In those 21 games Conley missed a season ago, the Jazz offensive output did not suffer thanks to their utility floor general Joe Ingles (12.1 ppg, 4.7 apg), who shot career-highs of 48.9 percent from the field and 45.1 percent from three-point range (5^th NBA), making 183 total triples in 2020-21.

Joe Ingles’ Shooting First Six NBA Seasons and 2020-21
First 6 Seasons                  2020-21 Season
         45%            FG%              48.9%
         41%           3-Pt.%            45.1%
         75%            FT%              84.4%

He was a big reason why the Jazz went 15-6 in the games Conley missed a season ago due to injury.

One constant for the Jazz under Coach Snyder has been their tenacity at the defensive end and last season was no different, ranking No. 2 in opponents field goal percentage (44.7 percent) and three-point percentage at 34.1 percent. They led the NBA in rebounding differential (+5.6) and scoring differential (+9.2). They also ranked No. 8 in second chance points (13.6)

The main reason for that was now two-time All-Star Rudy Gobert (14.3 ppg, 13.5 rpg-2^nd NBA, 2.7 bpg-2^nd NBA, 67.5 FG%-led NBA), who registered a career-high in blocks per game and tied a career-high in rebounds per game a season ago, while shooting 60 percent from the floor or better for the fifth consecutive season and for the fifth time in the last six seasons. His 49 double doubles were not only tied for third in the league a season ago, it also was tied for the third most in a single season in Gobert’s career.

Gobert stellar work as a rebounder and rim protector earned him 2020-21 Kia Defensive Player of the Year, marking the third time in his career he won that honor, which ties him with Lakers’ Dwight Howard for second most in NBA history. The man dubbed the “Stifle Tower” also earned his third All-NBA selection, making the Third Team for the second time in his career (2019, 2021). He was a Second Team selection in 2017.

Most Times Winning Defensive Player Of The Year (Began 1982-83 Season)
Ben Wallace: 4 times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) w/Pistons
Dikembe Mutombo: 4 times (1995 w/ Nuggets; 1997, 1998, and 2001 w/Hawks)
Rudy Gobert (UTA): 3 times, winning it in three of the last four seasons
Dwight Howard (LAL): 3 times (2009-11) w/Magic

On top of that, the league’s leader in blocks shots in 2017 made the NBA All-Defensive Team for the fifth consecutive season.

Another Jazz player who earned his way into the playing rotation after being undrafted out of Baylor University with his work at guarding some of the best wings in the league is forward Royce O’Neale (7.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 38.5 3-Pt.%), who counting 2019-20 has been a starter the last two seasons. He has improved as a shooter going from making 42 threes in his rookie season of 2017-18; 68 triples in 2018-19; and 92 and a career-high 107 threes respectably the last two seasons. He also shot a career-high 84.8 percent at the charity stripe.

At the close of 2020-21, the Jazz had to go through some adversity with the loss of Mitchell for the final 16 games with a right ankle sprain sustained in their 119-111 win versus the Pacers on Apr. 16. The Jazz went 10-6 without Mitchell in the lineup, going 13-6 overall without their leading scorer last season.

The Jazz despite not having Mitchell for the close of regular season maintained their hold on the No. 1 Seed in the Western Conference over the Suns, who battled them for that top seed, particularly late into 2020-21.

Also on this date, the Jazz announced that future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, who played 14 of his 16 NBA seasons (2003-19) with the Heat purchased a minority ownership stake in the Jazz, joining the ownership group led by Utah native and billionaire co-founder of Qualtrics Ryan Smith, who purchased the Jazz from long time owners the Miller family on Oct. 28, 2020. Wade is expected to have a hands involvement in operations.

The Jazz struggles though continued into Game 1 of their opening-round tilt against the Grizzlies, falling 112-109, trailing the series 1-0 as they were again without Mitchell due to a sprained ankle missing his 17^th straight game.

They cut a once 17-point lead down to 60-59 in the third quarter before an 18-9 run by the Grizzlies brought the lead back to double-digits at 78-68 and while the Jazz cut into that lead late in the fourth quarter behind Bogdanovic, who scored 20 of 29 points (all in the second half, the Jazz never got the lead.

While Bogdanovic went 4/11 and Ingles, who scored 11 points went 3/7 from three-point range the rest of the Jazz went a combined 5/29 from three-point range. The Jazz went 4/21 from three in the opening half, scoring just 16 points in the paint and had 12 of their 14 turnovers in Game 1 in the first 24 minutes.

Conley in the loss had 22 points, 11 assists and six boards, but was just 3/11 from three-point range. Clarkson had 14 points, but was just 5/16 shooting, including 0/8 from three. Gobert had 11 points, 15 rebounds and three block shots.

The return of Mitchell restored some sense continuity for the Jazz and they would use that to their advantage the remainder of the series.

In their 141-129 win versus the Grizzlies in Game 2 to tie the series 1-1, Mitchell scored 12 of his 25 points in the opening period, going 8/19 shooting, including 5/10 from three-point range in the win. Gobert had 21 points, 13 rebounds and four block. Conley also had 21 points with a career-high 15 assists, hitting 3/5 from three. Bogdanovic had 18 points and Clarkson had 16 points and six rebounds. O’Neale had 14 points and eight boards on 4/6 from three.

After leading by as many as 22 points in the first half, where they shot 10/19 from three-point range and went 18/25 at the foul line to lead 74-54 at the half, the Jazz saw their lead cut to 93-91 in the third quarter when they were outscored 43-29 in the third quarter. But the Jazz never surrendered the lead.

The Jazz after scoring 42 points in the paint in Game 1 (30 paint points in the second half), had 58 points in the paint in Game 2 and went 19/39 from three-point range. Their bench outscored the Grizzlies 43-14. The Jazz also outrebounded the Grizzlies 42-33, including 12-9 on the offensive glass, outscoring the visitors 22-14 in second chance points.

The Jazz three-point shooting and Mitchell coming up big in the fourth quarter got them over the finish line 121-111 in Game 3, to pull ahead 2-1 in the series.

The Jazz led by as many as 15 points in the opening-half, where they went 11/19 from three, scored eight straight points to bring their lead that was cut into by the Grizzlies back to double-digits 96-85 after three quarters. They used a 14-2 run the final 4;15 when up 109-107 to finish off the Grizzlies.

Final 4:15 of Fourth Quarter of Game 3
UTA            MEM
14     PTS      2
3/6     FGS    0/9
7/9     FTS    0/2

Jazz hit 19 threes for the second straight game, tying the second most made threes in a game in franchise playoff history. They also went 22/27 at the foul line

Mitchell scored 10 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and while he struggled again from the field going 9/23, including 2/10 from three, he went 9/11 at the foul line, including 6/6 in the fourth period. He was 5/6 from the floor in the fourth quarter after going 4/17 the first three quarters shooting.

Conley had 27 points, eight assists and six rebounds, going 7/10 from three, with the seven made triples matched a playoff career-high and tied for second most in a game in Jazz playoff history.

Bogdanovic had 15 points, while Clarkson who was a combined 1/14 from three-point range the first two games had 15 points going 5/11 from three in Game 3. Gobert also had 15 points with 14 rebounds, and another four blocks. O’Neale, had 14 points and seven rebounds on 4/7 from three-point range.

Jazz won Game 4 120-113, to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, taking over in the third quarter outscoring the Grizzlies 41-33 going 15/23 shooting, including 4/8 from three-point range to lead by as many as 13 points, closing the period on a 28-16 run. They went 11/13 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to thwart a Grizzlies rally despite going 3/16 from the floor in the final period.

Mitchell had 14 of his 30 points in the opening half, going 12/13 at the foul line, despite going 8/22 shooting, including 2/7 from three. Clarkson had 24 points and six boards on 4/9 from three-point range. Gobert had 17 points and eight rebounds, with 15 of those points and six of those boards in the second half.

Jazz went 17/34 from three in Game 4 and 25/28 at the charity stripe. They scored 20 fastbreak points and outscored the Grizzlies bench again 40-30.

The Jazz dominated the Grizzlies outscoring them 47-27 in the first quarter and never looked back closing out the series in five games with a 126-110 win.

In leading wire-to-wire up by as many as 35 points, the Jazz in setting a franchise postseason record for points in a quarter, also recorded the second most first quarter points in NBA Playoff history.

They went 18/26 from the field, including 9/15 from three-point range in the opening quarter, also setting a franchise playoff record for most made triples in any quarter.

Their 75 first half points, in leading 75-51 at the half, set a new franchise record for points in a half for a postseason game.

Mitchell in the series clincher had his first 30/10 (points/assists) game of his career (regular season or playoffs) with 30 points and 10 assists exactly with six boards on 11/16 shooting, including 5/8 from three, with 26 points and five assists on 10/13 shooting, including 5/7 from three in the first half. Mitchell also became the youngest player to register a 30/10 game in franchise playoff history.

Clarkson had 24 points, while Gobert had 23 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks on 10/12 shooting. Bogdanovic had 17 points and eight boards, hitting 3/6 from three and O’Neale, 17 points and six boards on 3/7 from three.

Jazz in the close out of the Grizzlies out scored them 32-21 in bench points, 24-18 in points off turnovers as they registered 10 steals; had 27 assists and went 17/44 from three.

The Jazz got off to a better start in the West Semis going up 2-0 on the Clippers winning both games at home.

In their 112-109 win in Game 1, the Jazz overcame a 60-47 deficit at the half outscoring the Clippers 65-49 in the second half, including 32-19 in the third quarter to rally from a 14-point deficit in the period and were up 103-93 with 5:22 left in the fourth quarter. But they needed a missed three-pointer by the Clippers Marcus Morris, Sr. in the final seconds to pull out Game 1.

Mitchell had 32 of his 45 points in the second half going 16/30 from the field, including 6/15 from three. Bogdanovic had 18 points, hitting 3/6 from three. Clarkson also had 18 points on 6/14 from three. Gobert had 10 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks.

Jazz overcame a 5/28 effort, including 5/20 from three-point in the first quarter to trail 24-12 after the first quarter.

Donovan Mitchell By Half In Game 1
First Half: 13 points, two assists, 5/14 FGs, 2/8 3-Pt., 1/1 Fts

Second half: 32 points (16 pts 3^rd Qtr., 16 pts 4^th Qtr.) 11/16 FGs, 4/7 3-Pt., 6/7 Fts

Second Half of Game 1
LAC                UTA
49        Pts        65
16/43   FGs     20/38
37.2% FG% 52.6%
5/19    3-Pt.    10/23

Conley (right hamstring strain) did not play.

In the 117-111 win in Game 2, to go up 2-0 in the series, the Jazz who led for the entire first half and were up by as many as 21 points in the third quarter before the Clippers rallied to lead 101-99 before a 14-2 to run to go back in front and held on for the win, their sixth straight since losing Game 1 of the opening-round versus the Grizzlies, the third longest streak in franchise playoff history.

Longest Postseason Winning Streaks After Losing Playoff Opener In NBA History
Year       Team       Streak #   Won Title
1967       76ers              6              Yes
1994        Jazz              6               No
2005       Spurs             6              Yes
2021        Jazz              6              ???

Jazz tied a new franchise single-game playoff record with 20 made threes, going 20/39 from distance and making at least 17 threes or more for the sixth straight playoff game.

Mitchell 37 points 15/29 shooting, including 6/12 from three-point range. Clarkson 24 points, 6/9 from three. Ingles 19 points on 4/7 from three. Bogdanovic, 16 points on 3/5 from three. Gobert 13 points, a playoff career-high 20 rebounds and three blocks

Conley (right hamstring strain) did not play again.

That would be the Jazz final win of the 2021 Playoffs as they would drop the next four games seeing their dreams of a title end in a blaze of threes.

They dropped Game 3 132-106 at the Clippers getting outscored 37-26 in the second quarter and trailed by as many 28 points as their six-game playoff winning streak ended. While they cut the deficit to eight points in the third quarter, they never got closer.

Mitchell had 30 points in the loss on 11/24 shooting, including 5/9 from three. Ingles had 19 points on 5/8 from three. Clarkson had 14 points hitting 4/9 from three, but just 5/16 overall from the floor. Gobert had 12 points and 10 boards and O’Neale had 12 points and six boards on 4/8 from three.

Most 30-Point Games In Ones First 30 Career Playoff Games Last 40 Seasons
Michael Jordan: 22 games
Allen Iverson: 15 games
Donovan Mitchell (UTA): 14 games
LeBron James (LAL): 14 games w/Cavaliers
Anthon Davis (LAL): 14 games w/Pelicans & Lakers

Mitchell went scoreless in the opening period of Game 1 for the first time in his playoff career. Bogdanovic had just nine points on 2/10 shooting, and 1/5 from three.

Jazz 106 points scored was a low so far for them in 2021 Playoffs.

The Jazz while they went 19/44 from three-point range, were just 17/40 (42.5 percent) inside three-point range and had 16 turnovers that led to 24 Clippers points.

They set a new playoff low scoring 104 points in their 118-104 loss in Game 4 at the Clippers that tied the Semis at 2-2.

The Jazz trailed 30-13 after the first quarter, going just 6/21 shooting, including 1/7 from three with just two assists and no free throw attempts. They cut a once 29-point deficit down to 112-102 in the fourth quarter but never got closer.

While they shot well from three-point range again going 17/42 (40.5 percent), they shot just 42.9 percent from the field overall.

Mitchell had 37 points with five boards and five assists going 6/15 from three and 13/15 at the foul line but was just 9/25 from the floor overall.

While they got 19 points on 5/7 from three from Ingles and 18 points from Bogdanovic, Gobert was in effective with just 11 points and eight boards. Clarkson had only eight points on 3/12 shooting, including 2/8 from three.

Mitchell had his sixth consecutive 30-point game, equaling Malone for the most consecutive 30-plus point games in franchise playoff history.

While they came out in desperation for victory, scoring 37 points on 13/18 shooting, including 10/15 from three in the opening quarter, the Jazz cooled off in the second half in the 119-111 loss in Game 5 to be one setback way from elimination.

The Jazz led by as many as 10 points midway through third quarter but were outscored 32-18 in the period and 59-46 in the second 24 minutes. They cut a once 10-point fourth quarter deficit down to 100-97 with 5:46 left but never got the lead.

The Jazz who set a single-game franchise playoff record for threes in a quarter only led 7-36 after the first quarter. They made 20/54 from the three-point line in the loss, tying a single-game franchise playoff record.

The Jazz were 17/30 on their threes in the first half. But just 3/24 from three in the second half including 0/10 in the third quarter. In the third quarter, the Jazz were just 6/22 (27.3 percent) shooting; went 6/10 at the foul line; were outrebounded 14-9 and had just one assists on their six made field goals.

They missed 17 straight shots from the perimeter before Mitchell ended the drought with a triple with 4:05 left in the fourth quarter.

Bogdanovic had 32 points on 10/20 shooting, including 9/17 on his threes, with 18 points on 6/7 from three in the first period. Mitchell had 21 points, five boards and five assists, but was just 6/19 from the floor, including 4/14 from three. Gobert had 17 points and 10 rebounds Clarkson had 15 points on 4/9 from three. Ingles had 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists, but was just 1/5 on his threes, while O’Neale had 12 points and seven boards, but made just 2/8 from three.

Mitchell had his streak of consecutive 30-point games, which was tied with Malone for the most in Jazz history ended at six straight.

Bogdanovic became the fourth player to hit at least six threes in a quarter in the 2021 Playoffs.

After outscoring the Clippers 39-19 in the second quarter to lead 72-50 at the half, the Jazz were outscored 81-47 in the second half in falling at the Clippers 131-119 in Game 6, falling in the series 4-2 as they suffered their first four-game losing streak of the entire season. .

After leading 75-50 after a three-pointer by Mitchell to start the second half and up 88-67 with 6:37 left in the third quarter, the Clippers 64-31 the rest of the way as they went from up 94-91 after three quarters. They were down by 107-100 before they closed the gap to 107-106 but never got the lead back.

Mitchell had 39 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists on 12/27 shooting, including 9/15 from three, with 22 points, seven boards, and four assists on 8/14 from the field, and 5/7 from three in the first half.

Clarkson had 21 points on 8/16 shooting but had no points in the second half going 0/4 shooting, including 0/3 from three. While Mitchell had 17 points in the second half, he was just 4/13 shooting, going 0/5 from two-point range (4/8 3-Pt.) and just 5/8 at the foul line.

Conley in his first action of the series had just five points and three assists on 1/8 from the floor, including 1/6 from three.

Jazz had 10 of their 17 turnovers in the second half with the Clippers scoring 31 points off those miscues in Game 6.

While the Jazz went 21/44 on their threes in Game 6, the 20^th time all season (regular season and playoffs) making 20 or more triples, they sustained their fifth consecutive loss when that occurred. They finished with a 15-5 mark when they made 20 or more triples on the season.

The Jazz under Coach Snyder were 94-1 when leading by at least 25 points, now 94-2. They are now 1-9 all-time when they trail in a best-of-seven-series. Their only win coming in the 2007 First-Round against the Rockets.

In keeping with their continuity and hoping to learn from their past playoff failures, the Jazz did not make any major changes to the roster. But through the draft and free agency upgraded their depth.

In the draft in late July, the Jazz acquired the draft rights to guard Jared Butler (No. 40 overall pick) out of Baylor University along with two future Second-Round picks in exchange for the draft rights to forward/guard Santi Aldama (No. 30 overall pick) out of Loyola University (Maryland).

The 2021 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, who averaged 16.7 points and 4.8 assists in leading the Baylor Bears to the 2021 National title brings good size at the point guard spot. Is a solid ball handler, who can create his own shot as well as get others involved, especially out of the pick-and-roll. Is a solid defender both on and off the ball.

“I mean, any opportunity is great. But I think to be with a championship minded organization. To be able to learn from the veterans and coaches I think is definitely a great opportunity for me in my first year,” Butler said at Media Day about starting his NBA career with the Jazz.

In a trade with the Thunder on July 30, the Jazz dealt forward/center Derrick Favors to the Thunder, receiving back a future Second-Round pick.

That deal was in large part to create financial flexibility to re-sign Conley, which they did on Aug. 2 agreeing to a three-year, $72.5 million deal.

“I think it helps to have a veteran presence on this team in regard to realizing that this doesn’t last forever,” Conley said at Media Day about the understanding that championship window does not stay open forever. “Like this window is not going to be here forever.”

“That you have to take advantage of each day, each opportunity because we look at last year how close….We felt like were right there in that bucket and how different things can be just like that. A little luck here, injury free here or different things at different points can change careers.”

Two players that the Jazz hope will make things different for them are veteran forward Rudy Gay (11.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 38.1 3-Pt.% w/Spurs), who was signed to a three-year, $32 million deal and center Hassan Whiteside (8.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 56.3 FG% w/Kings) to a one-year, $2.4 million deal.

Gay gives the Jazz a versatile wing who can score, shoot, defend, and can be an anchor for the second unit alongside Ingles and Clarkson to provide scoring and playmaking. They Jazz also with the addition of Gay can play with a small lineup with him at the power forward and now have versatility defensively, which they did not have in the Semis against the Clippers.

More than anything, Gay, who will reunited with Conley, on the back nine of his career is looking for team success, something he has not had much of having only been in the playoffs only three times in his first 15 NBA seasons, with two of those coming with the Spurs in in 2018 and 2019.

At Media Day, Gay said that he signed with the Jazz because he wanted to be “part of something that’s great.” How he saw the unselfishness that the Jazz played on a nightly basis on both ends of the floor. How Mitchell was taking his game to another level. Seeing Clarkson elevate his game as a reserve. Conley rounding back into the form that made him a great floor general and Gobert being a just being a towering presence on the defensive.

“You, kind of when you are looking at for a team you want to play for and that’s put yourself in to see where you can help and I felt like it was an easy marriage,” Gay, whose only other postseason appearance was in 2012 with Grizzlies added.

Gay, whose entering season No. 15 also said in terms of being an upgrade as a power forward when the Jazz decide to go with a small lineup, that is something he learned to do in his time with the Spurs (2016-21) about how within a game you see “what the team needs” and you provide that and do whatever it takes to have your win.

“So, playing small-ball five, I’m just happy being on the court,” Gay said. “It’s just fun to still be a part of something. To still be with a contender. Being able to play for something, and you know, just to be able to effect the guys that are younger than you on the team.

Another player the Jazz that will have to use when they go small is forward Eric Paschall (9.5 ppg, 49.7 FG% w/Warriors), who was acquired from the Warriors on Aug. 4 in exchange for a future Second-Round pick.

“I’m very excited to be a part of it,” Paschall said at Media Day about being dealt to the Jazz. “I’m just trying to brin energy. Bring a different mentality here. Just trying to be a dog at all times.”

When the Jazz did not have Gobert on the court, they did not have a consistent rebounding presence as well as rim protection or someone who can create second chance opportunities.

The addition of Whiteside will allow the Jazz to have a shot blocker and rebounding presence on the court at all times.

When Whiteside was the Heat (2014-19) he was one of the better rebounders and rim protectors in “The Association.” The problem was that he wanted to be featured in the offense more, which is why he eventually flamed out with them and how he was not a real fit with the Kings a season ago, which was his second stint with them.

Gobert is the starter without question and if Whiteside can accept his role of rebounding and rim protection, the Jazz defense will not skip a beat for the full 48 minutes.

“I just want to keep building,” Whiteside said at Media Day on what he wants to provide to the Jazz. “I think they’ve been right there every year. Around playoff time is where the struggles happens. But I want to keep building even when they’re going to the bench. When I come in. I want to keep that defensive presence up. So that’s one of the main things I want to really do.”

The Jazz have been a team on the cusp because of how they have built there chemistry over the years through roster stability, which begins with Mitchell, whose development into the total package as a player, competitor and leader has put the Jazz into the championship conversation. He really has shown that in the playoffs, particularly a season ago, where he rose up the statistical charts in franchise’s postseason history.

Most 30-Point Games in Jazz Playoff History
Karl Malone: 53 career games
Donovan Mitchell: 16 career games
Adrian Dantley: 10 games

Most 40-Point Games in Jazz Playoff History
Karl Malone: 4 career games
Donovan Mitchell: 4 career games
Adrian Dantley: 1 career game
Gordon Hayward (CHA): 1 career game
Carlos Boozer: 1 career game

Most 45-Point Games In NBA Playoff History Amongst Notable Players
                                                                                    Scoring Titles
Donovan Mitchell (UTA): 3 career games                         3
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 2 career games                             2
Shaquille O’Neal: 2 career games                                       2
Charles Barkley: 2 career games                                        0
Damian Lillard (POR)L 2 career games                            0
James Harden (BKN): 1 career game                                 3 w/Rockets
Stephen Curry (GSW): 1 career game                               2

Most Career 25-Plus Point Games In Jazz Postseason History

Karl Malone: 97 career games                    Jeff Malone: 5 career games
Donovan Mitchell: 21 career games            Rickey Green: 4 career games
Deron Williams: 16 career games               Mike Conley: 3 career games
Adrian Dantley: 16 career games                Darrell Griffith: 3 career games
Carlos Boozer 11 career games                   Bojan Bogdanovic: 2 career games
Thurl Bailey: 9 career games                       Bryon Russell: 2 career games
Jeff Hornacek: 8 career games
Gordon Hayward (CHA): 7 career games
John Stockton: 7 career games

That continuity is also in large part due to having consistency on the sidelines of Coach Snyder, who is entering his eighth season as head coach of the Jazz, the third longest tenured head coach currently in the NBA. Only Heat head coach Erik Spolestra and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich have been with their respective teams longer entering respectably their 14^th and 25^th seasons as head coach.

“I’m excited to come back and have a group that’s enthusiastic about playing and I know has worked hard this summer to put ourselves in a position to really compete and hopefully have an outstanding year,” Coach Snyder said at Media Day about the upcoming season. “We’re ready to go.”

The Jazz have made the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, winning 50 games or more in the regular season on three occasions. In four of those five seasons, with the exception in 2019 that made it to the Conference Finals.

            Jazz The Last Five Seasons
Seed      Season     Playoff Result        Opponent
#5        2016-17     Lost in Semis         Warriors
#5       2017-18     Lost in Semis          Rockets
#5       2018-19     Lost in 1^st Round   Rockets
#6        2019-20     Lost in 1^st Round   Nuggets
#1        2020-21     Lost in Semis         Clippers

Their postseasons in 2018 and 2019 ended respectably in the 2018 Semis and 2019 First-Round at the hands of the then James Harden led Rockets because of their offensive ineptitude, particularly from three-point range. They brought in Bogdanovic that summer and traded for Clarkson near the close of 2019 and were up 3-1 on the Nuggets in the First-Round in the restart in Orlando, FL and lost in seven games. They were up 2-0 on the Clippers in last season’s Semis and they lost in six games because to close the series the Clippers spread them out and they made three-point shot after three-point because they attack Gobert off dribble drives that led to kickouts for open threes, especially in the second half of Game 6. It also did not help the Jazz that they lived by the three all season and died by it in the second half of Game 6.

With added depth to go alongside their All-Star duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, a defensive identity and hopefully a tweak to their offensive identity of a season ago, the Jazz have everything necessary to make to compete for a championship. They also are in a stacked Western Conference. So, it would not be surprising if they do go down again early in the playoffs.

To a man though, the Jazz say they are primed for to make a run at the title this season.

“You don’t get anything for winning in the regular season. You want to win in the playoffs,” Ingles said at Media Day about the goal for the Jazz this season.

“We really feel like we have an opportunity to do something special in the next few years and we know those windows—you don’t get that many of those windows in your career,” Gobert said. “So, it’s a great opportunity for us to, no matter what happens to really try to be the best we can be and it’s exciting.”

Mitchell, entering his fifth season with the Jazz concurred saying about this season, “I think this is probably one of the biggest [years] for us. I think after the performance we had last year in the regular season, the work we ‘ve put in and obviously, coming up short.”

“Obviously we weren’t as healthy as we wanted to be. But I think this is a big year for us just as a whole because we’re not necessarily in everybody’s eyes Top 8, you know. Now we’re here and people see us as that. And for us we got to continue to do what we do. But come out with a fire and hunger…It’s going to be a fight in the West. It’s going to be tough. It’s not going to be easy. But whatever it take to be the last team [standing].”

Best Case Scenario: The Jazz are a Top 3 seed. They enter the playoffs healthy. Mitchell is in the MVP conversation. Gobert is a leading candidate win Kia Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time in his career. The new additions of Gay, Whiteside, Butler, and Paschall keep the Jazz a Top 10 scoring bench. The Jazz make the Western Conference Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Jazz are a lower playoff seed. Deal with injuries again and suffer another early playoff exit.

Grade: B.

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of www.espn.com/nba/teams/stats/schedule/transactions; https:www.nba.com/news/2020-21-nba-trade-tracker; https://www.nba.com/draft/2021/team-profiles by Shaun Powell, John Schuhmann, Steve Aschburner, and Michael C. Wright; 5/24/2021 www.nba.com “Utah Jazz Guard Jordan Clarkson Wins 2020-21 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year;” 5/25/2021 www.nba.com story, “Julius Randle Named 2020-21 Kia NBA Most Improved Player;” 6/2/2021 6 p.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Kevin Negandhi and Elle Duncan; 6/4/2021 www.nba.com story, “Trail Blazers, Terry Stotts Mutually Agree To Part Ways;” 6/5/2021 www.nba.com story, “Orlando Magic, Coach Steve Clifford Agree To Part Ways;” 6/3/2021 www.nba.com story, “Danny Ainge Retires: Brad Stevens Named Celtics President,” Information from “The Associated Press;” 6/7/2021 www.nba.com story, “New York’s Tom Thibodeau Wins 2020-21 Kia Coach of the Year;” 6/9/2021 www.nba.com story, “Nate Bjorkgren Out As Pacers Coach,” By Michael Marot “The Associated Press;” 6/14/2021 www.nba.com story, “NBA Announces 20220-21 All-Defensive 1^st and 2^nd Teams;” 6/15/2021 www.nba.com story, “All-NBA Teams Announced;”6/16/2021 www.nba.com story, “Wizards, Scott Brooks Agree To Part Ways;” 6/16/2021 www.nba.com story, “Mavericks, GM Donnie Nelson Mutually Agree To Part Ways,” By Schuyler Dixon “The Associated Press;” 6/17/2021 www.nba.com story, “Rick Carlisle Steps Down as Mavericks Head Coach,” Contributions to story from “The Associated Press;” 6/17/2021 www.nba.com story, “LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards Headline 2020-21 NBA All Rookie Team;” 6/17/2021 www.nba.com story, “What Just Happened Around The NBA: Keeping Track Of Busy Wednesday,” By Shaun Powell; 6/17/2021 www.nba.com story, “Pelicans Part Ways With Coach Stan Van Gundy,” By Brett Martell of “The Associated Press;” 6/17/2021 12:30 a.m. “Inside the NBA,” presented by Kia on TNT With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal; 6/22/2021 7:30 p.m. “NBA Countdown,” ESPN, presented by Mtn Dew With Maria Taylor, Jalen Rose, Jay Williams, and Adrian Wojnarowski; 6/23/2021 3 a.m. NBATV’s “Gametime” With Matt Winer, Carlos Boozer, and Sam Mitchell; 6/24/2021 www.nba.com story, “Pacers Announce Rick Carlisle’s Return As Coach, “By Michael Marot “The Associated Press;” 6/28/2021 www.nba.com story, “Celtics Hire Ime Udoka As Next Head Coach,” By Jeff Chase; 6/28/2021 www.nba.com story, “Celtics Hire Nets Assistant Ime Udoka As Next Coach,” By Kyle Hightower of “The Associated Press;” 6/28/2021 www.nba.com story, “Blazers Make It Official, Hire Chauncey Billups as Coach;” 6/28/2021 www.nba.com story, “Mavericks Officially Hire Jason Kidd as Coach, Nico Harrison as GM,” The Associated Press;” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Kidd; 6/29/2021 www.oregonlive.comm story, “Chauncey Billups Introduced As Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach: ‘We Believe In Chauncey,” By Joel Odum; 7/8/2021 www.nba.com story, “Hawks Name Nate McMillan Coach, Remove Interim Tag,” By Charles Odum, “The Associated Press;” 7/11/2021 www.nba.com story, “Magic Hire Jamahl Mosley As Coach,” By Tim Reynolds “The Associated Press;” 7/12/2021 https://www.orlandosentinel.com story, “Magic Officially Hire Jamahl Mosley As Head Coach, “By Chris Hays and https:///www.mynews13.com story, “Orlando Magic Introduce Jamahl Mosley As Head Coach” By The Associated Press;” 7/16/2021 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” ESPN, presented by Credit Karma with Rachel Nichols, Kendrick Perkins, and Richard Jefferson; 7/17/2021 www.espn.com story, “Washington Wizards Hire Wes Unseld, Jr. As New Head Coach,” By Adrian Wojnarowski; 7/21/2021 www.nba.com story, “In Quotes: Unseld, Jr. Introduced As Wizards Head Coach,” By Jackson Filyo of www.washingtonwizards.com; 7/29/2021 6 p.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Jay Harris and Elle Duncan; 7/22/2021 www.nba.com story, “Willie Green Officially Named Pelicans Coach,” By The Associated Press; 7/29/2021 8 p.m. “2021 NBA Draft” ESPN, presented by State Farm With Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, Kendrick Perkins, Mike Schmitz, Bobby Marks, Malika Andrews, Rachel Nichols, and Richard Jefferson; 7/29/2021 8 p.m. “2021 NBA Draft” ABC, presented by State Farm with Kevin Negandhi, Chiney Ogwumike, Jalen Rose, Malika Andrews and actor formerly of ABC’s “Blackish” Miles Brown; 9/8/2021 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” ESPN with Jorge Sedano, Brian Windhorst, Marc J. Spears, and Ros Gold-Onwude; 9/15/2021 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” ESPN With Richard Jefferson, Matt Barnes, Marc J. Spears, Tim MacMahon, and Brian Windhorst; 9/16/2021 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” ESPN with Richard Jefferson, Clinton Yates, Kendrick Perkins, and Zach Lowe; 9/22/2021 3 p.m. “NBAL The Jump” ESPN With Cassidy Hubbarth, Kendrick Perkins, Zach Lowe, and Ramona Shelburne; 9/27/2021 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” ESPN 2 Wit Jorge Sedano, Brian Windhorst, Ramona Shelburne, Zach Lowe, Tim Bontemps, Andrew Lopez, Nick Friedell, and Ohm Youngmisuk; 9/29/2021 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” ESPN With Jorge Sedano, Kendrick Perkins, Marc J. Spears, Malika Andrews and Brian Windhorst; 9/30/2021 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” ESPN With Jorge Sedano, Kendrick Perkins, and Brian Windhorst; 10/1/2021-10/8/2021 NBATV’s “Team Preview” of All 30 NBA Teams with Ro Parrish, Jared Greenberg, Chris Miles, Kristen Ledlow, Matt Winer, Jim Jackson, Grant Hill, Steve Smith, Greg Anthony, Dennis Scott, Isiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and Shaun Powell; 10/1/2021 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” ESPN with Jorge Sedano, Zach Lowe, Brian Windhorst, and Bobby Marks; 10/5/2021 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” ESPN With Cassidy Hubbarth, Kendrick Perkins, Ramona Shelburne, Adrian Wojnarowski, and Ohm Youngmisuk; 10/14/2021 6 a.m. CNN Headline News’ (HLN) “Morning Express With Robin Meade,” with report from HLN’s sports anchor Andy Scholes; 10/18/2021 3 p.m. “NBA Today,” ESPN With Malika Andrews, Richard Jefferson, Chiney Ogwumike, Zach Lowe, and Kendrick Perkins; 10/19/2021 3 p.m. “NBA Today” ESPN With Malika Andrews, Adrian Wojnarowski, Richard Jefferson, Zach Lowe, Kendrick Perkins, Nick Friedell, and Ramona Shelburne; 10/20/2021 3 p.m. “NBA Today” ESPN With Malika Andrews, Kendrick Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike 10/20/2021 ESPN news crawl; www.nba.com’s 2021-22 Season Preview, presented by Kia by Shaun Powell; John Schuhmann, and Steve Aschburner; https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31674407/2021-nba-free-agency-trades-latest-buzz-news-and-reports; https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31668810/nba-trade-grades-analysis-details-for-every-offseason-deal-in-2021; https://www.nba.com/news/offseason-power-rankings-east-2021; https://www.nba.com/news/offseason-power-rankings-west-2021; https://mobile.twitter.com/mangameslostNBA?lang=en.

5/17/2021 and 5/18/2021 www.nba.com’s Play-In Tournament Preview: Eastern Conference; 5/18/2021 6:30 p.m. “#10 Charlotte Hornets vs. #9 Indiana Pacers” East Play-In Tournament on TNT, presented by State Farm With Spero Dedes and Greg Anthony; 5/18/2021 9 p.m. “#8 Washington Wizards vs. #7 Boston Celtics” East Play-In Tournament on TNT, presented by State Farm With Marv Albert and Grant Hill; 5/19/2021 7:30 p.m. “#10 San Antonio Spurs vs. #9 Memphis Grizzlies” West Play-In Tournament on ESPN, presented by State Farm With Mark Jones, Doris Burke and Lisa Salters; 5/20/2021 7 p.m. “NBA Tip-Off” on TNT, presented by Carmax With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 5/22/2021 3:30 p.m. “Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns” Game 1 First-Round NBA Playoffs, presented by Mtn Dew with Mark Jones, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Rachel Nichols; 5/19/2021-7/21/2021 11:30 p.m. 1 a.m., 2 a.m. ESPN news crawl and “Sportscenter” from Los Angeles, CA with Neil Everett and Stan Verrett, and Linda Cohn and “Sportscenter” with John Buccigross and John Anderson; Kevin Connors, Michael Eaves and Nabil Karim, with analysis from Stephen A. Smith; Michael Wilbon Tim Bontemps, Malika Andrews, Marc J. Spears, Kendrick Perkins,; 5/18/2021-7/3/2021 12:30 a.m. or 11 p.m. “Inside The NBA,” presented by Kia on TNT With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 5/20/2021-7/21/2021 NBATV’s “Gametime,” presented by State Farm or Kia with Kristen Ledlow, Matt Winer, Jared Greenberg, Ro Parrish, Steve Smith, Sam Mitchell, Isiah Thomas, Carlos Boozer, Quentin Richardson, Dennis Scott, Kyle Korver Brendan Haywood; 5/21/2021-7/21/2021 ESPN/ABC’s Playoff Coverage from First-Round to The Finals with Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Ryan Ruocco, Richard Jefferson, Dave Pasch, Hubie Brown, Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Rachel Nichols, Malika Andrews, Cassidy Hubbarth, and Israel Gutierrez; 5/22/2021-7/8/2021 TNT and NBATV’s coverage of NBA Playoffs on TNT With Spero Dedes and Greg Anthony; Marv Albert, Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Grant Hill, Reggie Miller, Joel Meyers, Brendan Haywood, Allie LaForce, and Stephanie Ready.

6/17/2021 7 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Nicole Briscoe and Randy Scott; “Sportscenter” With Michael Eaves and Nabil Karim; ESPN’s “Sportscenter With Scott Van Pelt” from Washington, D.C. NBA Tip-Off” on TNT, presented by Carmax With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal.

NBA 2020-21 Season NBA on TNT Tuesday Pregame Show, presented by Carmax and “NBA On TNT Tuesday Postgame Show,” presented by Kia Wit Adam Lefkoe, Candace Parker, Dwyane Wade, and Shaquille O’Neal.

NBA 2020-21 Season 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump” on ESPN/ESPN 2 With Rachel Nichols, Jorge Sedano, Ramona Shelburne, Jackie MacMullan, Kendrick Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike, Malika Andrews, Monica McNutt, Tim Bontemps, Bobby Marks, Matt Barnes, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Rasheed Wallace Nick Friedell.

NBA 2020-21 Season “NBA Countdown” on ESPN/ABC and Toyota Halftime Report With Maria Taylor, Jalen Rose, Jay Williams, and Adrian Wojnarowski.

List of All 30 Teams Seasons history at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshae_Brissett; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blake_Griffin; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Jackson_(basketball_born_1990); https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2017-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-hawks-vs.-wizards.html; https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/trp_dbl_career.html; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Rookie_of_the_Year_Award; www.landofbasketball.com/all_time_leaders/wizards/points_pg_single_rs.html; www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/leaders_career.html.

https://fieldhousefiles.substack.com story, “Pacers Streak Of Having A Winning Record At Home Ends After 31 Seasons,” By Scott Agnes.

3/19/2021 www.espn.com story, “Minnesota Timberwolves Rookie Anthony Edwards Third Youngest Player In NBA History With 40-Point Game.”

3/23/2021 www.nba.com story, “Bell Game of the Week: All-Female Broadcast Team To Make NBA History For Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets,” By Kyle Irving; 4/10/2021 www.nba.com story, “Bulls Come Up Shot As Hawks Spoil LaVine’s 50-Point Outing,” By Sam Smith; 8/9/2021 www.nba.com story, “Charlotte Hornets Signe Head Coach James Borrego To Multi-Year Contract Extension,” By Quinton Wash;

5/2/2021 www.therookiewire.usatoday.com story, “Saddiq Bey Set NBA Rookie Record For Games With At Least 5 3-Pointers,” By Cody Taylor.

5/2/2021 www.cbssports.com story, “Heat’s Duncan Robinson Becomes Fastest Player To Reach 500 3-Pointers In NBA History,” By Jack Maloney.

5/12/2021 www.nypost.com story, “Knicks Are Going Back To The Playoffs: ‘Not Close To Done,’” By Marc Berman.

8/5/2021 www.si.com story, “Masai Ujiri Agrees To New Deal With Raptors As Vice President,” By Ben Pickman.

8/10/2021 www.nbcsports.com story, “Porter, Jr. ‘Absolutely,’ Has Something To Prove With Warriors.”

8/26/2021 www.hooprumors.com story “Longest-Tenured NBA Head Coaches,” By Luke Adams.

1/16/2021 6 p.m. “Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets” on Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (YES) With Ian Eagle, Sarah Kustok, and Michael Grady; 1/17/2021 10 p.m. “Indiana Pacers vs. Los Angeles Clippers,” FOX Sports Prime Ticket/NBATV With Brian Sieman, Mike Fratello, and Jaime Maggio; 1/22/2021 8:30 p.m. “Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs” FOX Sports Southwest With Mark Followill, Derek Harper, and Jeff “Skin” Wade; 1/19/2021 9 p.m. “Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets” on Altitude With Chris Harlowe, Scott Hastings, and Vice Lombardi; 1/22/2021 8:30 p.m. “Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs” FOX Sports Southwest With Mark Followill, Derek Harper, and Jeff “Skin” Wade; 1/23/2021 8 p.m. “New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves” FOX Sports New Orleans With Joel Meyers, Antonio Daniels, and Jennifer Hale; 1/23/2021 9 p.m. “Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns” on Altitude With Chris Harlowe, Scott Hastings, and Vic Lombardi; 1/24/2021 4 p.m. “Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers” FOX Sports Prime Ticket With Brian Sieman, Mike Fratello, and Kristina Pink; 1/29/2021 7 p.m. “Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards” NBC Sports Washington With Justin Kutcher and Drew Gooden; 1/29/2021 8:30 p.m. “Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns” on Altitude With Chris Harlowe and Katy Winge; 1/30/2021 8 p.m. “Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers” NBC Sports Northwest With Jordan Kent, Lamar Hurd, and Brooke Olzendam; 2/3/2021 8 p.m. “Los Angeles Clippers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers” on FOX Sports Prime Tickets With Brian Sieman, Jim Jackson, and Jaime Maggio; 2/4/2021 7:30 p.m. “Utah Jazz vs. Atlanta Hawks” AT&T Sportsnet Rocky Mountain With Craig Bolerjack, Matt Harpring, and Kristen Kenney; 2/4/2021 8 p.m. “Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies” AT&T Sportsnet Southwest With Craig Ackerman, Matt Bullard, and Cayleigh Griffin; 2/5/2021 8 p.m. “Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat” NBC Sports Washington With Justin Kutcher and Drew Gooden; 2/5/2021 10 p.m. “Pelicans Live,” presented by Toyota With Erin Hartigan and David Wesley; 2/7/2021 3 p.m. “Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers” on FOX Sports Prime Ticket With Brian Sieman, Mike Fratello, and Kristina Pink; 2/10/2021 8 p.m. “New Orleans Pelicans vs. Chicago Bulls” FOX Sports New Orleans With Joel Meyers, Antonio Daniels, and Jennifer Hale; 2/9/2021 10 p.m. “Orlando Magic vs. Portland Trail Blazers” NBC Sports Northwest With Jordan Kent, Lamar Hurd, and Brooke Olzendam; 2/12/2021 7 p.m. “New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards” on MSG, presented by Chase With Kenny Albert, Walt “Clyde” Frazier; 2/14/2021 6:30 p.m. “Hornets Live” on FOX Sports Southeast, presented by The Fresh Market With Ashley Shahahamadi, Gerald Henderson, Eric Collins, and Dell Curry; 2/14/2021 7 p.m. “San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Hornets” FOX Sports Southeast With Eric Collins, Dell Curry, and Ashley Shahahamadi; 2/14/2021 7 p.m. “New Orleans Pelicans vs. Detroit Pistons” FOX Sports Detroit With George Blaha, Greg Kelser, and Johnny Kane; 2/15/2021 7 p.m. “Houston Rockets vs. Washington Wizards on NBATV’s “Center Court” With Brian Anderson and Grant Hill; 2/16/2021 8 .m. “Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves” FOX Sports North With Dave Benz, Jim Petersen, and Marney Gellner; 2/19/2021 8 p.m. “Detroit Pistons vs. Memphis Grizzlies” on FOX Sports Detroit With George Blaha, Greg Kelser, and Johnny Kane; 2/23/2021 7:30 p.m. “Sacramento Kings vs. Brooklyn Nets” on YES With Ryan Ruocco, Sarah Kustok, and Michael Grady; 2/27/2021 8 p.m. “New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs” FOX Sports New Orleans With Joel Meyers, Antonio Daniels, and Jennifer Hale; 3/2/2021 7:30 p.m. “Los Angeles Clippers vs. Boston Celtics” on TNT, presented by State Farm With Ian Eagle and Grant Hill; 3/10/2021 8 p.m. “Washington Wizards vs. Memphis Grizzlies” NBC Sports Washington With Justin Kutcher and Drew Gooden; 3/11/2021 7 p.m. “Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte Hornets” on FOX Sports Southeast With Eric Collins, Dell Curry, Ashley Shahahamadi and Gerald Henderson; 3/12/2021 9:30 p.m. “Houston Rockets Pregame” on AT&T Sportsnet Southwest With Kevin Eschenfelder and Calvin Murphy; 3/12/2021 10 p.m. “Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz,” AT&T Sportsnet Rocky Mountain With Craig Bolerjack, Matt Harpring, and Kristen Kenney; 3/13/2021 2 p.m. “New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder” on Madison Square Garden Network (MSG), presented by Chase With Mike Breen and Walt “Clyde” Frazier; 3/13/2021 6:30 p.m. “Bucks Live” FOX Sports Wisconsin, presented by Froedtert & The Medical College Of Wisconsin With Dario Melendez, Jim Paschke, and Steve Novak; 3/13/2021 7 p.m. “Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets” on FOX Sports Southeast With Eric Collins, Dell Curry, and Ashley Shahahamadi; 3/13/2021 10 p.m. “Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns” FOX Sports Arizona With Kevin Ray and Eddie Johnson; 3/14/2021 8 p.m. “Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets” on AT&T Sportsnet Southwest With Bill Worrell, Matt Bullard, and Cayleigh Griffin; 3/14/2021 8 p.m. “Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves” on NBC Sports Washington With Jordan Kent, Lamar Hurd, and Brooke Olzendam; 3/18/2021 7 p.m. “Utah Jazz vs. Washington Wizards” NBC Sports Washington/NBATV With Justin Kutcher and Drew Gooden; 3/19/2021 8 p.m. “Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors” on AT&T Sportsnet Rocky Mountain With Craig Bolerjack, Matt Harpring, and Kristen Kenney; 3/18/2021 and 3/19/2021 10 p.m. “Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns” on FOX Sports North With Dave Benz, Jim Petersen, and Marney Gellner; 3/21/2021 10 p.m. “Dallas Mavericks vs. Portland Trail Blazers” NBC Sports Washington With Jordan Kent, Lamar Hurd, and Brooke Olzendam; 3/22/2021 8:30 p.m. “Charlotte Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs,” FOX Sports Southwest With David Wise and Sean Elliott; 3/29/2021 7:30 p.m. “Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets” on YES With Michael Grady, and Sarah Kustok; 3/29/2021 9 p.m. “Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Utah Jazz” FOX Sports Ohio With John Michael, Austin Carr and Angel Gray; 3/30/2021 “Charlotte Hornets vs. Washington Wizards” FOX Sports Southeast With Eric Collins, Dell Curry, and Ashley Shahahamadi; 4/2/2021 7:30 p.m. “Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics” on NBC Sports Boston With Brian Scalabrine, Chris Forsberg, and Abby Chin; 4/2/2021 8 p.m. “Charlotte Hornets versus Indiana Pacers” Bally Sports Southeast With Eric Collins, Dell Curry, and Ashley Shahahamadi; 4/6/2021 10 p.m. “Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers” Bally Sports SO Cal With Brian Sieman, Mike Fratello, and Kristina Pink; 4/13/2021 7:30 p.m. “Los Angeles Clippers vs. Indiana Pacers” on TNT, presented by State Farm With Ian Eagle and Grant Hill; 4/15/2021 8 p.m. “Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers” NBC Sports Bay Area With Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike; 4/16/2021 3 p.m. “Indiana Pacers vs. Utah Jazz” AT&T Sportsnet Rocky Mountain/NBATV With Craig Bolerjack, Matt Harpring, and Kristen Kenney; 4/16/2021 7:30 p.m. “Wolves Live” on Bally Sports North With Marney Gellner and Kevin Lynch; 4/18/2021 1 p.m. “Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks” on Bally Sports Southeast With Bob Rathbun, Dominique Wilkins, and Mike “The Stinger” Glenn; 4/18/2021 7:30 p.m. “Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat” on Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (YES) with Ian Eagle, Sarah Kustok, and Michael Grady; 4/20/2021 7:30 p.m. “Charlotte Hornets vs. New York Knicks,” on MSG, presented by Chase Bank With Mike Breen, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and Rebecca Haarlow; 4/21/2021 8:30 p.m. “Detroit Pistons vs. Dallas Mavericks” Bally Sports Southwest With Mark Followill, Derek Harper, and Jeff “Skin” Wade; 4/24/2021 10 p.m. “Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets” AT&T Sportsnet Southwest With Craig Ackerman, Matt Bullard, and Cayleigh Griffin; 4/27/2021 7 p.m. “Portland Trail Blazers vs. Indiana Pacers” Bally Sports Indiana With Chris Denari, Quinn Buckner, and Jeremiah Johnson; 4/29/2021 9 p.m. “Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets” on Altitude With Chris Harlowe, Scotting Hastings, and Chris Dempsey; 5/1/2021 9 p.m. “Washington Wizards vs. Dallas Mavericks” NBC Sports Washington With Justin Kutcher and Drew Gooden; 5/3/2021 9 p.m. “New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies,” on MS, presented by Chase With Mike Breen and Walt “Clyde” Frazier; 5/6/2021 7:30 p.m. “Brooklyn Nets vs. Dallas Mavericks” on YES With Ian Eagle, Sarah Kustok, and Richard Jefferson, and Michael Grady; 5/7/2021 “New York Knicks vs. Phoenix Suns” on MSG, presented by Chase With Kenny Albert, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and Rebecca Haarlow; 5/9/2021 7 p.m. “Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Orlando Magic” Bally Sports North With Dave Benz, Jim Petersen, and Lea B. Olsen; 5/9/2021 8 p.m. “Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons” on Bally Sports Detroit With George Blaha, Greg Kelser, and Johnny Kane; 5/10/2021 7:30 p.m. “Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks” NBC Sports Washington/NBATV With Justin Kutcher and Drew Gooden; 5/11/2021 7 p.m. “Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Detroit Pistons” Bally Sports North With Dave Benz, Jim Petersen, and Lea B. Olsen; 5/12/2021 9 p.m. “New Orleans Pelicans vs. Dallas Mavericks” Bally Sports Southwest With Mark Followill, Derek Harper, and Jeff “Skin” Wade; 5/13/2021 6:30 p.m. “Hornets Live” on Bally Sports Southeast, presented by the Fresh Market with Ashley Shahahamadi, Gerald Henderson, Eric Collins, and Dell Curry; 5/13/2021 7 p.m. “Los Angeles Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets” on Bally Sports SO Cal With Brian Sieman, Jim Jackson, and Kristina Pink; 5/13/2021 7:30 p.m. “San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks” on MSG, presented by Chase With Kenny Albert, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and Rebecca Haarlow; 5/13/2021 8 p.m. “Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves,” Bally Sports North With Dave Benz, Jim Petersen, and Lea B. Olsen; 5/14/2021 7 p.m. “Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards” Ball Sports Ohio With John Michael, Austin Carr, and Angel Gray; 5/14/2021 8 p.m. “Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder” Bally Sports Oklahoma With Chris Fisher, Michael Cage, Nick Gallo, and Paris Lawson; 5/15/2021 8 p.m. “Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves” Bally Sports North With Dave Benz, Jim Petersen, and Lea B. Olsen; 5/15/2021 8 p.m. “Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks” Bally Sports Wisconsin With Jim Paschke, Steve Novak, and Zora Stephenson; 7 p.m. “Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks” AT&T Sportsnet Southwest With Craig Ackerman, Matt Bullard, and Cayleigh Griffin; 6/3/2021 12:30 a.m. “Inside the NBA,” presented by Kia on TNT With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green; 6/6/2021 www.nba.com “Tune-In Tidbits, ABC June 6, 2021,” By Brian Martin.

J-Speaks

Thursday, October 21, 2021

J-Speaks: 2021-22 NBA Offseason Review/Season Preview

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