J-Speaks: 2022-23 NBA Offseason Review/Season Preview

 

Injuries and Health and Safety Protocols were the two definers of 2021-22 NBA Season, the 75^th Anniversary Season of the National Basketball Association. In the end, it was the boys from the Bay Area that were holding the Larry O’Brien trophy for the fourth time in the last eight seasons taking down the boys from “Beantown.” The 2022 Offseason saw plenty of player movement via trades and free agency, where teams like the boys from the “Valley of the Suns;” New York’s other NBA squad; the boys from South Beach, “Beantown;” “City of Brotherly Love,” and the NBA champs from the cheese state just two seasons  and  the boys from the “Colorado Rockies” and “City of Blues” are looking to unseat the reigning defending champs We have a few teams looking to be position for postseason success like the boys from the “Twin Cities;” the “Windy City;” the “ATL;” and “Rip City.” Then we have a few teams hoping to be competitive and finish above .500 like the NY’s main basketball squad; the boys from California’s capital city and the boys from “Nation’s Capital.” Those are just a few of the things that well dissected and looked into the 2022-23 J-Speak’s 20221-23 NBA Offseason Review/Season Preview.  

Abbreviation Key-statistics from the 2022-23 season: 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: 43-39 record (2^nd Southeast Division; No. 8 Seed In East; 27-14 at home; 16-20 won the road) Defeated the Hornets (132-103) in the 2022 Play-In Tournament; Defeated the Cavaliers (107-101) in the second game of the Play-In Tournament; Lost to No. 1 Seeded Heat 4-1 in East Quarterfinals.    

-113.9 ppg-6^th; opp. ppg: 112.4-; 44.0 rpg-20^th  

For the last two seasons, the Atlanta Hawks overcame a slow start with a furious finished to the regular season. They used that momentum to carry them to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals where they fell two games short of reaching the championship round against the eventual NBA champions. Last season, the Hawks could not ride that momentum as they fell to the eventual East runners-up from South Beach in the opening-round. With the addition of one of the emerging guards in the league pairing with a fellow All-Star floor general as well as some veteran additions and sharp shooting wing via Draft, the Hawks goal make it back to the Playoffs, and make a major run towards a title.

Head Coach Nate McMillan’s squad began their 2021-22 season at 17-20, just about where they began the previous season at 14-20.

As they did in 2020-21 compiling a 27-11 to close out that regular season, the Hawks closed 2021-22 regular season at 26-19.

To bring the Hawks up and down season in 2021-22 into full focus, they went 4-9 their first 15 games and then proceeded to go 8-1 their next nine games. That was followed by a horrific 5-15 mark their next 20 games then a 26-14 mark to close out 2021-22.

The Hawks strong finish at home to 2021-22 was good deodorant to their 9-16 road finish to the season, going 9-16 down the stretch away from home.

A lot of that success at the end of last regular season came behind a 19-3 mark their final 22 games at State Farm Arena, including a 11-1 marking their final 12 home games of 2-2021-22. This was on the heels of a 19-2 mark their final 21 home games in 2020-21, winning their final 11 home games.

The Hawks strong closes the last two regular season has been led by now two-time All-Star guard Trae Young (28.4 ppg-4^th NBA, 9.7 apg-3^rd, NBA), who for the third consecutive season averaged 25-plus points and nine-plus assists on career-highs of 46 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three-point range, earning his second career All-Star selection and earned his first All-NBA honor making the 2021-22 Third team.  

Young, who in August 2021 signed a five-year, $172 million rookie max extension, which was raised to $207 million because he was named All-NBA because of a 30 percent escalator clause because he makes any of the three All-NBA teams.

He joined Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only two players in NBA history to average per game 25 points and nine assists their first four NBA seasons. Young was the only player last season to rank in the top 5 in both scoring and assists.

             Trae Young’s Stats By Season So Far In His Career                  
                                    Games           PPG      APG
2018-19 (Rookie)          81                 19.1        8.1
2019-20                         60                 29.6        9.3
2020-21                         63                 25.3        9.4
2021-22                         76                 28.4        9.7

How great was Young in 2021-22, his 233 total made three-pointers were a career-high and surpassed former Hawks guard Mookie Blaylock single-season mark for most total made threes by a Hawks’ player of 231, which Blaylock hit in 1995-96 season.

                       Hawks All-Time Leaders In Made Three-Pointers                                   
Mookie Blaylock 1,050                                 Kent Bazemore 453
Joe Johnson 908                                            Jeff Teague 430
Kyle Korver 818                                            Taurean Prince 332
Trae Young (730) and counting                   Bogdan Bogdanovic 315 and counting
Jason Terry 648                                            Dennis Schroder 315
Kevin Huerter 563                                        Paul Millsap 302
Steve Smith 549                                             Jamal Crawford 282
Dominique Wilkins 500                                John Collins 277 and counting
Mike Bibby 475

Young led the NBA in 2021-22 in total points (2,155) and total assists (737). He registered a career-best 42 double-doubles, that included 20 games with at least 30 points and 10 assists in 20.

Young totaled 35 30-plus point games in 2021-22, including the second most 40-plus point games in 2021-22 with 10.

Most Games With 30 Points and 10 Assists Since 2018-19 Season
Trae Young (ATL) 51           Russell Westbrook (LAL) 16
James Harden (PHI) 40        Nikola Jokic (DEN) 13
Luka Doncic (DAL) 35         Devin Booker (PHX) 11
Damian Lillard (POR) 35    De’Aaron Fox (SAC) 11
LeBron James (LAL) 22      Kyrie Irving (BKN) 10

In the Hawks’ 136-131 loss at the Portland Trail Blazers Jan. 3, Young had a career-high 56 points on 17/26 shooting, including 7/12 from three-point range and 15/15 at the foul line in 37 minutes. Those 56 points tied the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James for the second-highest scoring night in NBA in 2021-22. Young became the first player since James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 31, 2016, with Houston Rockets) to register 50-plus points and 14-plus assists in same game. It was Young’s 16^th consecutive game scoring 29 points or more, which tied Hall of Famer and current Hawks television color analyst Dominque Wilkins, which he did twice (Dec. 1985 and Jan. 1986). Young’s 14 assists that game were most assists in a 55-plus point game in Hawks history.

Most Points In A Game In St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks’ History
                                                                  Result
1986 Dominique Wilkins 57 points        Win
1986 Dominque Wilkins  57 points        Win
1969 Lou Hudson             57 points        Win
1961 Bob Pettit                 57 points        Win
2022 Trae Young              56 points         Loss 

Most 30-Plus Point Games In A Season In St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks History
Bob Pettit 47 times 1961-62 w/St. Louis
Dominque Wilkins 44 times in 1985-86 and 1987-88
Dominque Wilkins 39 times 1992-93
Pete “Pistol” Maravich 38 times 1973-74
Bob Pettit 37 times 1962-63 w/St. Louis
Trae Young 35 times 2021-22

Most 30-Plus Point Games By A Player Since 2019
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 99
Trae Young (ATL) 90
Damian Lillard (POR) 72
Bradley Beal (WAS) 72
James Harden (PHI) 66

In the Hawks 117-111 victory on Mar. 22 at the New York Knicks on TNT, Young had 45 points with eight assists on 13/25 shooting, making 7/15 from three-point range and 12/14 at the charity stripe. Young’s 45-point night was his 4^th consecutive 30-plus point game dating back to the 2021 First-Round of the Playoffs against the Knicks, tied for the second longest such streak by a visiting player at current Madison Square Garden (MSG) since 1968, trailing only the five such games by Hall of Famer and former New Yorker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

This also marked Young’s third 45-plus point game over a 5-game stretch in March and his fourth 40-plus point performance in March.

Most 40-Plus Point Games By A Player At Age 23 or Younger Since 1976
Michael Jordan 31                                        Trae Young (ATL) 26
LeBron James (LAL) 23 w/Cavaliers         Tracy McGrady 22

Six Players NBA History With 25 Or More Games Scoring 40-Plus Points Before Age 24
Rick Barry 35                        Michael Jordan 31
Wilt Chamberlin 32              LeBron James (LAL) 27 w/Cavaliers
Bob McAdoo 32                     Trae Young (ATL) 26

Players In NBA History With 6,000 Career Points and 2,000 Career Assists Before Age 24
Trae Young (ATL)                                        Stephon Marbury
Russell Westbrook (LAL) w/Thunder        Isiah Thomas (Hall of Famer)
LeBron James (LAL) w/Cavaliers

Hawks Players To Reach 5,000 Career Points In Least Amount Of Games Played
Tray Young 208
Bob Pettit 212
Pete “Pistol” Maravich 218
Joe Johnson 227
Dominique Wilkins 230

Young was the headliner of a Hawks offensive attack that finished 2021-22 No. 6 in the league in scoring average at 113.9 points on the 47 percent from the field (No. 7 NBA) and the second best three-point percentage in the league at 37.4 percent in 2021-22. The Hawks also finished No. 1 in the NBA in turnovers at 11.3 a season ago.

That making the most of their offensive possessions in 2021-22, the Hawks registered 30 games scoring 120 points or more, going 26-4 when they scored 120 or more. That also included 11 games with 130 points or more, registering a mark of 10-1 when that occurred last season.

As great as Young was a season ago, the rest of his teammates had decent but not spectacular seasons.

John Collins, who re-signed last summer on a five-year, $125 million deal, with the fifth year being a player option registered his lowest scoring average since his rookie season (2017-18) with 16.2 points in 2021-22 with 7.8 rebounds on 52.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range (64/176 3-Pt.), registering 16 double-doubles for a second straight season (32 double-doubles: career-high 2018-19; 22 double-double in 2019-20).

Collins was slowed by injury last season missing 19 straight games and 23 out of final 27 games (counting 2022 Play-In Tournament) with a right finger sprain and right foot sprain).

That left only Clint Capela (11.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg-4^th NBA, 61.3 FG%-7^th NBA), who at start of September 2021 signed a two-year, $46 million contract extension, that will keep him in Atlanta through the 2024-25 season to man the paint for the Hawks a number of times a season ago. Capela did his best to be that interior presence in the paint for the Hawks on both ends registering 35 double-doubles in 2021-22.

Capela’s Double-Doubles The Previous Four Seasons
2017-18 w/Rockets 42 double-doubles
2018-19 w/Rockets 45 double-doubles
2019-20 w/Rockets 27 double-doubles
2020-21 w/Hawks 48 double-doubles: career-high

Guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (15.1 ppg, 36.8 3-Pt.%-169/459 3-Pt.), whose totaled 164, 146, and 169 made threes in each of the past three seasons, has dealt with injury issues of his own playing just 61, 44, and 63 games total in each of the past three seasons.

One change that Coach McMillan made to spark the Hawks out of their doldrums early last season moved Bogdanovic to the bench, where in 36 games averaged 17.0 points (2^nd NBA in that span) and 3.3 assists on 13.9 field goal attempts (averaged 17.5 points on 13.9 FG attempts (as a starter averaged 17.5 points and 2.7 assists on 10.9 FG attempts).

Forward De’Andre Hunter (13.4 ppg, 44.2 FG%, 37.9 3-Pt.%-74/195 3-Pt.), who the Hawks have been really high on since being chosen No. 4 overall in 2019 out of University of Virginia too has missed games due to injury totaling 62, 23, and 53 games each of the past three seasons. Hunter his first two NBA seasons shot 35.5 percent on his triple tries (108/304 3-Pt.) in 2019-20 as a rookie. He went just 31/95 on his threes (32.6 percent).

The Hawks showed the faith they still have that Hunter is a big part of their future is they traded forward/guard Cam Reddish Jan. 13 to the New York Knicks, along with little used forward Solomon Hill and a 2025 Second-Round pick in exchange for guard Kevin Knox II and a protected First-Round pick.

The Hawks hoped Onyeka Okongwu (8.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 69.0 FG%) would be that tag team partner alongside Capela patrolling the paint but like Collins, Hunter, and Bogdanovic has been slowed his first two NBA seasons by injury. When he was healthy, he showed signs of being that interior presence on both ends with three double-doubles in his sophomore season, including 17 points and 12 rebounds (6/6 FGs, 5/6 FTS) in 25 minutes 131-107 win versus Cavaliers Mar. 31. 

With Capela being the long interior presence in the paint, the Hawks finished No. 20 in paint points per game at 45.7; 23^rd in block shots at 4.2; and a rebound differential at +0.1, 15^th NBA in 2021-22.

That lack of heft in the paint is how opponents on average 48.0 points in the paint (19^th) and 12.2 fastbreak points. That lack of interior defense also was shown by the Hawks ability to guard on the perimeter, which resulted in Hawks finishing 22^nd in steals per game at 7.2; 23^rd in opponent’s field goal percentage (47.1 percent); 25^th in opponent’s three-point percentage (36.4 percent), giving up on average 12.8 made threes in 2021-22.

The Hawks in 2021-22 went just 21-27 when they allowed 110 points or more, including 5-16 when they gave up 120 points or more, including 0-7 when they allowed 130 points or more.

The Hawks ability to take care of the ball a season ago is why they only gave up on average 15.1 points off turnovers (6^th NBA) and 12.2 fastbreak points per game (17^th NBA).  

In the 2022 Play-In Tournament, the Hawks registered a 132-103 win versus the Charlotte Hornets Apr. 13 on ESPN, registering their fifth largest margin of victory (32 points) in a Playoff/Play-In game in franchise history.

Young led the way with 24 points and 11 assists, while Hunter had 22 points and seven boards. Capela had 15 points and 17 rebounds. Hunter and Bogdanovic registered 13 points each, each hitting three triples.

Hawks, who led 60-52 at half, blew the game open outscoring the Hornets 42-24 in third quarter, using a 27-8 run the final 5:15 of the period to lead by as many as 33 points in third quarter. Hawks outscored Hornets 26-12 in paint, with those 26 paint points, season-high for a quarter. 

Third Quarter           CHA                  ATL
Summary                     24      Points      42
                                     8/21     FGs       16/24
                                      12   Paint Pts    26
                                       5     Assists       10
                                       3   Turnovers   0

Young overcame a rough first half (8 points, six assists, 3/13 FGs: 0/3 3-Pt. with four points, two assists, 1/9 FGs: 0/3 3-Pt. in 1^st Quarter) had 14 points on 4/8 shooting and 5/6 at foul line in third quarter. Hunter added 16 points on 7/8 shooting in the third period as well.

Hawks shot 52.1 percent from the field (49.4 FGs), including 16/32 on their threes in the win versus Hornets. They registered 31 assists on 49 made shots. Outscored the Hornets 54-40 in paint; 40-24 in bench points; 19-7 in second chance points; outrebounded Hornets 54-41 (12-11 offensive rebounds); scored 22 points off 14 Hornets turnovers.

The Hawks clinched the No. 8 and final Playoff spot in East with a 107-101 comeback win Apr. 15 at Cleveland Cavaliers Apr. 15 on ESPN, improving dating back to the regular season 9-2 their last 11 games.

Young led the way scoring 32 of his 38 points in second half with nine assists on 13/25 shooting, including making 4 threes and going 8/9 at foul line. Bogdanovic added 19 points, five assists and three steals. Hunter had 10 points and five assists.

Hawks, who trailed 36-25 after first quarter, where they had seven turnovers (4 turnovers by Young) and 61-51 at half, outscored the Cavaliers 56-40 in the second half, including 33-23 in third quarter, closing the period on a 17-8 run to tie it 84-84 after three quarters.

Young, who had six points on 3/11 shooting, including 0/4 on his threes in first half, had 32 points, 10/14 shooting, including 4/7 on his triple tries in second half, including 16 points and five assists (4/6 FGs, 3/5 3-Pt., 5/5 Fts) in third quarter.

Young 32 second half points, career-high for a second half, scoring or assisting on 43 of Hawks 56 second half points, including 27 of Hawks 33 third quarter points

First Half       ATL                CLE      Second Half   ATL                    CLE   
Summary       3/17   3-Pt.      10/21      Summary       6/14   3-Pt.          3/15
                         8     Assists       15                                   7    Assists           8
                         8   Turnovers   3                                    5    Turnovers     9
                         5  Pts off TOs  13                                  13  Pts off TOs    1

Hawks lost Capela, who had seven points and eight boards to a hyperextended left knee in the second quarter and did not return.

The Hawks good vibes ended in Game 1 of their First-Round Playoff tilt in a 115-91 loss at the No. 1 Seeded Miami Heat Apr. 17 on TNT. With 24-point loss tying their second largest margin of defeat of season (also lost 115-91 Jan. 12 versus Heat).

The Hawks began Game 1 1/11 shooting and were down by their second largest margin of this season (19 points) 59-40 at half (were down 74-53 at intermission in a 131-117 loss Dec. 29, 2021 at Bulls). Hawks shot just 38.7 percent from the field (29/75 FGs), 10/36 from three-point range (27.8 3-Pt.%)

Young struggled with season-low eight points, six rebounds and four assists going a career matching a career-worst 1/12 from the field (1/12 shooting: 1/7 3-Pt. with five points, 12 assists, seven rebounds Jan. 23, 2019 at Bulls), including 0/7 from three-point range. It was just Young’s second game on the season being held under 10 points.

Collins had 10 points in his return from 19-game absence and missed 23 out of past 27 games dating back to the regular season.

Hawks also lost Game 2 115-105 at the Heat two days later on TNT, to go down 0-2 in the series.

Bogdanovic scored 19 of his playoff career-high 29 points in the fourth quarter, 12/18 shooting, including 5/10 on his threes. Young 25 points, seven assists, six rebounds going 10/20 shooting, but just 2/10 on his threes. Hunter 16 points and Collins had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

After a close first half where they Hawks were down 56-54 at intermission, were outscored 31-22 in the third quarter and were down by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Hawks in Game 2 outscored Heat 46-38 in the paint; 40-35 in bench points; outrebounded Heat 40-34; and 18-7 in second chance points. But the Hawks had 19 turnovers that led to 21 Heat points, with Young registering a career-high 10 of the Hawks 19 miscues.

Hawks got back in the series with registering a 111-110 victory on Apr. 22 on ESPN, thanks to a floater in the lane by Young with 04.4 seconds left in regulation that wound up being the game-winner that cut their series deficit 2-1.

Young led the way with 24 points and eight assists (6/14 FGS: 2/6 3-Pt.) on 10/12 at foul line. Bogdanovic had 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists, 4/9 from three-point range. Hunter 17 points.

Hawks, who were down 84-68 in the third quarter, getting outscored 31-16 in the period, used a 9-1 run to close the third quarter to pull within 85-77 after three quarters. Hawks outscored Heat 34-25 in the final period.

Young had his fifth career go-ahead field goal in final 10 seconds of game in regular season/postseason. He scored 10 of Hawks final 13 points final 3:33 of Game 3, going 3/5 shooting and 3/3 at foul line (14 points 3/9 shooting, 7/9 at foul line first three quarters).

Most Go-Ahead Field Goals Final 10 Seconds Last Five Postseasons
Trae Young (ATL) 2
LeBron James (LAL) 2 w/Cavaliers 2018 Playoffs 

Hawks had just 11 turnovers in Game 3

Young Turnovers      Game 1: Six turnovers
First Three Games    Game 2: 10 Turnovers: career-worst
                                    Game 3: Three turnovers

Bogdanovic had nine points on 4/10 from the floor, including 1/3 on his triples first three quarters. Had nine points of 3/6 from three-point range in the fourth quarter.

Hawks dating back to the regular season won six in a row at home, improving to 21-3 at home since Jan. 17 (Best NBA).

A poor second quarter put the Hawks behind the eight ball in Game 4 and were taken down 110-86 to fall behind in the series 3-1 and had their six-game home winning streak dating back to the regular season snapped.

Hunter had 24 points (9/13 FGs) going 4/6 three-pointers in the defeat. Collins had 11 points. Young had just nine points, five assists, and five turnovers, going 3/11 shooting: 3/10 from three-point range.

Young scored in single-digits for the second time in the series and for the third time overall this season. He was attempted just one shot from two-point range, making the first time in his four-year NBA career without a made two-point field goal.

The Hawks starters were outscored by the Heat’s starting quintet 87-50. The Hawks starting five managed to go just 18/43 shooting with 12 turnovers of the team’s 15 turnovers in Game 4 that led to 25 Heat points.

The Hawks made a valiant last stand but were on the wrong end of scoreboard falling 97-94 in Game 5 to fall in the series as Young’s potential game-tying three-pointer bounced off the side of the backboards.

Hunter had career-high 35 points with 11 rebounds and three steals on 11/21 shooting, including 3/7 from three-point range, scoring 18 of his 24 second half points in the fourth quarter, going 8/12 shooting, making two triples total in second half.

Young had just 11 points with eight assists and six rebounds on 2/12 shooting: 0/5 on his threes and seven turnovers. For the series, Young had 22 made field goals, 30 assists and 31 turnovers in total.

                            Trae Young’s Worst Career Shooting Games                                      
Apr. 24, 2022 at Heat: 3/11 Field Goals      Jan. 15, 2021 at Jazz: 1/11 Field Goals
Apr. 26, 2022 at Heat: 2/12 Field Goals      Jan. 23, 2019 at Bulls: 1/12 Field Goals
Apr. 17, 2022 at Heat: 1/12 Field Goals      Mar. 10, 2019 at Pelicans: 2/14 Field Goals

Hawks, who were outscored 33-20 in the second quarter and were down 54-42 at half outscored the Heat 52-44 in the second half overcoming a 15-point deficit.

Capela, who had two points and seven rebounds in his return from a three-game absence in Game 4, left in third quarter of Game 5 with a left knee issue. Bogdanovic (right knee soreness) was out. Hawks (including Playoffs) went 40-36 with Capela (4-7 without Capela) in lineup.

Hawks, who shot just 41.9 shooting in Game 5 (31/74 FGs), including 8/25 on their threes, gave themselves a chance to win as they shot 24/28 at the foul line (compared to Heat’s 16/21) and outrebounded Heat 42-33 (12-7 offensive boards).  

Hawks finished counting this series 2-7 against the Heat, including 0-5 mark at Heat (0-3 in postseason; 1-3 mark in regular season).

                                  Hawks In Their Postseason History                                     
27-41 all-time in Game 1s: went 3-0 in 2021 Playoffs; 0-1 in 2022 Playoffs
0-26 all-time in best-of-seven series when down 0-2

Entering this offseason, the Hawks looked to improve the roster around Young to get them back to the level they played at the previous postseason.

The upgrading of the Hawks began with the front office where assistant General Manager Landry Field, who played five seasons in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors and Knicks (2010-15) to General Manager June 13, which became official July 1. Fields, the No. 39 overall pick in 2010 out of Stanford will continue to work alongside Travis Schlenk, Hawks’ President of Basketball Operations.  

Fields began his post NBA career working as a college scout for the San Antonio Spurs from 2016-19 and was promoted in Sept. 2019 to General Manager of the Spurs G League affiliate the Austin Spurs. Oct. 2, 2020, was named assistant GM of the Hawks.

In late July, the Hawks named Kyle Korver as their new Director of Player Affairs and Development.

Korver, who served as the player development coach with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021-22 played 17 NBA seasons after being drafted No. 51 overall in 2003 out of Creighton for 76ers, Jazz, Bulls, Hawks, Cavaliers, and Bucks, earning his lone All-Star selection in 2015 while with the Hawks.

Korver, who is No. 5 on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers made list, steps into the newly created position, where he will work with Coach McMillan and his coaching staff overseeing and coordinating the development plan for each Hawks’ player.

“We are excited to bring Kyle back to the Hawks,” GM Field said in a statement “He is a tremendous person and someone whose presence will benefit all of our players, both on and off the court, drawing from his unique experiences over his 17-year playing career, as a late Second Round pick who later became an All-Star in Atlanta and one of the league’s all-time best shooters.”  

In the 2022 Draft June, the Hawks selection of forward A.J. Griffin No. 16 overall out of Duke University. He is the son of current Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin, who played in NBA for 10 seasons with five different teams (Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, two stints with Dallas Mavericks, two stints with Bulls, and Seattle Supersonics: now Oklahoma City Thunder)

The 6-foot-6 forward, who averaged 10.4 points, making 45 threes with the Blue Devils in 2021-22, making the second highest threes in a season in Duke’s history.

Griffin, who shot 44.7 3-Pt.% at Duke brings length defensively to the Hawks and the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter on pullups.

“It’s really just hard work and being able to put your best foot forward,” Griffin said on draft night on his journey to being drafted in the NBA to ESPN’s Monica McNutt. “I’m ready…I’m just really excited to be at home in Atlanta right now.”

In a draft night trade, the Hawks traded the draft rights of guard Ryan Rollins (No. 44 overall) out of the University of Toledo to Golden State Warriors for draft rights to guard Tyrese Martin (No. 51 overall) out of University of Connecticut and cash considerations.

Fields used those Spurs connections to help the Hawks acquire first-time All-Star lead guard Dejounte Murray (21.1 ppg, 9.2 apg-4^th NBA, 8.3 rpg, 46.2 FG%-tied career-best 2021-22 w/Spurs) as well as center Jock Landale and sent veteran forward Danilo Gallinari; three First-Round picks (2023 via Hornets from Knicks and protected picks in 2025 and 2027) and 2026 pick swap. The Hawks trade Landale July 6 to the Phoenix Suns for cash considerations.  

At Media Day on Sept. 26, Murray said to NBATV/TNT’s Kristen Ledlow that when the Spurs played at the Hawks a season ago right before the All-Star break, Murray called the “atmosphere” of State Farm Arena crazy.

“Any team that has a culture not just with the team but with the fans. I just love the energy and atmosphere,” Murray added. “And then you see the roster they have. All the young guys they have, starting with Trae and the swagger they have from the basketball side to the city to the entertainment. The rapping and all that stuff like. Like you can just see the uprising for the city.”

The addition of Murray, 26 provides not just another ball handler and offensive threat to go alongside Young, he brings a defensive presence that should drastically improve the Hawks defense, which ranked 23^rd in opponent’s shooting percentage (47.1%); 25^th in opponent’s three-point percentage (36.4%); 22^nd in steals (7.2).

A season ago, the Hawks went 21-27 when they allowed 110 points or more, including 5-16 when they allowed 120 points or more, and 0-7 when they allowed 130 points or more.

Murray led the NBA in steals in 2021-22 at 2.0. He was the youngest player to be named to NBA All-Defensive Team at age 21 in 2018 with Spurs.  

“I mean, defense wins championships. If you watch basketball, you see obviously the talented team. But the ones who do it consistent and play defense and let that lead to their offense,” Murray said when asked by Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on how he will help the Hawks become better defensively.

“So, I’m going to come here and right away from practice, I’m going to compete, starting at the defensive end, and fitting in on the offensive end. Just putting these guys that defense wins championships All egos out the window. Let’s do it together. Let’s build together and make something special.”

In a breakout season, which resulted in his first All-Star selection, Murray set career-highs with 39 double-doubles, including a Spurs single-season record with 13 triple-doubles.

To put into context the kind of season Murray, who missed the entire 2018-19 seasons with a torn ACL had in 2021-22 with Spurs, he had 26 total double-doubles his first four NBA seasons, included four career triple-doubles in that span. When Murray was in the lineup for the Spurs, they went 30-38 compared to 4-10 without Murray in lineup.

            Most Career Triple-Doubles In Spurs History                 
Dejounte Murray 17    Tim Duncan 4
David Robinson 14       Larry Kenon 3
Alvin Robertson 8        DeMar DeRozan, Paul Gasol,
Johnny Moore 6           Tony Parker, Willie Anderson
                                       David Greenwood, John Lucas
                                       Artis Gilmore, Mike Mitchell:
                                       1 each

                Most Triple-Doubles In A Season In Spurs History     
Dejounte Murray 2021-22: 13   David Robinson 1989-90: 3
David Robinson 1993-94: 5       Alvin Robertson 1985-86: 3
Johnny Moore 1984-85: 5          David Robinson 1991-92: 2
Dejounte Murray 2020-21: 4     Alvin Robertson 1988-89: 2
David Robinson 1990-91: 3        Alvin Robertson 1987-88: 2

On paper, the combination of Young and Murray is intriguing, especially offensively. You have a sharp-shooter in Young who can score from long range, mid-range and in the paint and in Murray, you have a guy who can score against anyone off the dribble. Is exceptional in the open floor and has excellent court vision. That all-around game by Murray has made up for his inability to consistently to strike a match from the perimeter, even though he made a career-best 96 triples in 2021-22, but hit just 32.7 percent on his triple tries (96/204 3-Pt.) a season ago

The main thing for both players is their ability to sacrifice some of their game for the betterment of the team success as well as their individual success.

The dynamic got off to a good start when in his interview with NBATV/NBA on TNT’s Jarden Greenberg on July 1 that the facetime conversation that he and Young had was “all similes.” That the excitement was felt on both sides throughout that phone call. 

“It didn’t take a whole lot of convincing…,” Field said to Greenberg about selling Young about the team acquiring Murray. “He [Young] was excited about the whole thing. We wanted to make sure that he felt a part of it as we’re continuing to build up this roster and trying to take it to championship contention. He [Young] is going to be a huge part of it. He’s [Murray] has always been on our board.”

With the objective of improving their defense in mind, the Hawks in early July signed guard Aaron Holiday to a one-year, $1.8 million deal.

In a deal with the Sacramento Kings also in early July acquired Holiday’s brother, forward/guard Justin Holiday (10.1 ppg, 36.7 3-Pt.% in 74 games in 2021-22 w/Pacers & Kings), veteran forward Maurice Harkless and 2024 protected First-Round pick.

“It’s a blessing,” Holiday said at Media Day on Sept 26 about being able to play with his brother Justin like he did a couple of seasons back with the Pacers. “You just can’t pass up these moments. They don’t come around that often and its obviously not normal to happen. So, I’m just blessed and happy to be here with him.”

Holiday added when on what he brings to the Hawks is a guard who “plays hard,” especially on defense and is “a team player.”

The Hawks in late September dealt Harkless along with a Second Round pick to Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for forward Vit Krejci.

In bolstering the front court, the Hawks signed in free agency forward/center Frank Kaminsky (10.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 54.5 FG% w/Suns) to a one-year, $1.8 million deal. Kaminsky played just nine games 2021-22 with a right knee stress reaction that required season-ending surgery. 

As important as the new additions to the Hawks will be to their success this upcoming season, the dynamic of how Young and Murray goes will be a major factor in how far the Hawks go this upcoming season.

This summer, Young like a lot of NBA players was competing in some Pro-Am games in Seattle, WA. He also became a first-time father in early June and also spent a lot of time in Los Angeles, CA getting ready for this upcoming season, playing in Drew League. One of the things that Young said he did this summer is workout with the reigning Finals MVP and two-time league MVP Stephen Curry of the defending Golden State Warriors.

“This year, I’m so locked in on winning a championship and nothing else. That’s pretty much it.” Young said at Media Day. “I always want to get better in all my areas of my game. So, I’m always trying to get better offensively. I mean, no matter what I do, leading in points and assists, I still feel like I can get better offensively in certain areas. And then defensively, I feel like I’m always going to try to get better and I need to continue to get better on that end.”  

When asked about playing with Murray, Young said that “it’s hard to really point out” what he is great at. But he’s “good at everything” from scoring, rebounding, defending, passing.

“Just having somebody—just as competitive as I am in the backcourt with you is going to be fun. I can’t wait to start playing,” Young said about being able to play with Murray.

Another key for the Hawks is what will happen with Collins. Will he remain with the Hawks or will be dealt at some point either before or at the February trade deadline.

“I just do,” Collins asked by Williams on how he has dealt with all the trade rumors. “There’s nothing that really forces me or drives me to besides staying true to myself. I’m not a person that comes in and let’s what’s happening in my world affect somebody else’s world. Especially when we all have to come in together right? If I want to be looked at as leader and all that good stuff, I can’t let what’s going on in my life affect everybody.”   

Two years ago, the Atlanta Hawks were right on the cusp of representing the Eastern Conference in The Finals for the first time since 1961 as the St. Louis Hawks. The last time the Hawks were that close to competing for a spot in the championship round was 2015, when the then LeBron James led Cavaliers swept them 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

With the additions that Hawks made this offseason, especially the addition of Dejounte Murray. Their recommitment to being better defensively and the focused offseason for Trae Young, the Hawks see this season as an opportunity to put themselves in the conversation of one of the elite teams not just in the Eastern Conference but the entire NBA.

“I feel if we get that commitment and we’re better conditioned to play both ends of the floor and play the style that I feel we need to, we’re going to be in good shape,” Coach McMillan said at Media Day. “When we’re focusing on playing the game the right way. Playing the game together. Playing the game to win. And I think we take that approach and we win games, guys will be happy.” 

Best Case Scenario: The Hawks win 45-plus games and are competing for homecourt advantage in the East. Young and Murray make the All-Star team. The Hawks are a Top 10 defense. Collins remains with the Hawks or they find the right trade to upgrade the roster even more. They reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Hawks are fighting to make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament again. They continue to struggle defensively. The Young and Murray backcourt struggles.

Grade: B+

Boston Celtics: 51-31 (1^st Atlantic Division; No. 2 Seed in East; 28-13 at home, 23-18 on the road) Defeated the No. 7 Seeded Brooklyn Nets 4-2 in East Quarterfinals; Defeated No. 3 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks 4-3 in East Semifinals; Defeated No. 1 Seeded Miami Heat 4-3 in Eastern Conference Finals; Lost to No. 3 Seeded Golden State Warriors 4-2 in 2022 NBA Finals.  

-111.8 ppg-11^th; opp. ppg: 1045-1^st; 46.1 rpg-5^th

The sudden change to the head of the front office as well as head coach came a shock to those outside the Boston Celtics after their First-Round exit to their Atlantic Division rivals from New York in 2021. While they struggled in the early part of 2021-22, finding a connectivity at the defensive end and sharing the sugar at the offensive end took down the Top 3 squads in the East and led the boys from the “Bay Area” 2-1 in The Finals before they found their footing and wrestled ended the C’s championships aspirations. The first part of the offseason for the boys from “Beantown” was a good one with some key additions to bolster their supporting cast around their two All-Star pillars and their defensive stalworth floor general. The close to this offseason though saw them lose one of those key additions for possibly the entire season as well as their starting center until possibly January 2023 due to respective knee surgeries. And then just before the start of training camp, their head coach who helped guide them to their first title round appearance since 2010 was suspended for the entire 2022-23 season because of serious team violations and was replaced on an interim basis by one of his assistants. Despite all that, the goal for the Celtics entering 2022-23 is simple, win title No. 18.  

In the summer of 2021, then Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge, who is now working in the front office of the Utah Jazz suddenly stepped down after nearly two decades of leading the Celtics front office. Taking his place was head coach Brad Stevens, the team’s head coach the past eight seasons.

What made the move shocking at the time is that Stevens had never held served in a front office capacity. He was always a head coach first with Celtics and before that at the University of Butler.

Every move that Stevens made though in his first offseason on the job should he knew what he was going.

His first moves was bringing back via trade Al Horford (10.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 46.7 FG%, 33.6 3-Pt.%) whose career was on life support at the time having not fit with the 76ers in 2019-20 after signing with them on a four-year deal and then basically in NBA Siberia last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In his second stint with the Celtics, Horford was a pleasant surprise with not just his production but his leadership from start to finish in 2021-22. His 15 double-doubles in 2021-22 were the most since he had 15 and 10 double-doubles in 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons respectably with the Celtics.

Stevens then hired longtime assistant coach Ime Udoka, who had spent 2020-21 as an assistant coach on Steve Nash’s staff with the Brooklyn Nets after being an assistant for 76ers and was and assistant for seven seasons on head coach Gregg Popovich’s staff with the Spurs. He was a part of the Spurs staff that won their fifth NBA title eight seasons back.

Before his NBA journey an assistant coach, Udoka played in NBA for five seasons (2006-11) for the Portland Trail Blazers, two stints with the Spurs, Sacramento Kings, and New York Knicks. Before that he played in what is now the NBA’s G League as well as many other teams across the globe.

The Celtics at the start did not take well to Coach Udoka’s no nonsense, straight forward, challenging, we will win together approach, which led to a 2-5 start to 2021-22. They were 17-19 entering the new year after a 123-108 win on Dec. 31, 2021 versus the Phoenix Suns. Following a 108-105 loss at the Knicks on Jan. 6 on TNT, where they surrendered a 25-point lead, the Celtics were 18-21 and after 47 games were 23-24 and searching for answers.

The Celtics eventually found those answers and would go 2022 34-12 since Jan. 1, including going 31-10 since Jan. 10. That also included a 28-7 mark since Jan. 22 mark since they were one-game under .500 as mentioned at 23-24 following a 109-105 loss Jan. 12 versus the Trail Blazers. That 28-7 mark included an NBA-best 26-6 close to 2021-22.

Best Win Percentage In A Season After A Losing Record Halfway Through A Season In NBA History
Celtics 2021-22 .622 (51-31 record)
Lakers 2002-03 .610 (50-32 record)
Jazz 2018-19 .610 (50-32 record)

At the forefront of this turnaround for the Celtics was their tandem of three-time All-Star Jayson Tatum (26.9 ppg-7^th NBA, 8.0 rpg, 4.4 apg, 45.3 FG%, 35.3 3-Pt.%), who earned his first All-NBA First Team selection and the 2^nd All-NBA selection of his career (Third Team selection in 2020) and Jaylen Brown (23.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.5 apg, 47.3 FG%, 35.8 3-Pt.%).

Tatum and Brown had career seasons raising their scoring rose prowess as well as risen their playmaking abilities.  

Tatum in 2021-22 made a career-high 230 triples in total, while registering career-bests with 4.4 assists and 22 double-doubles. His 62 games where he scored 20 or more was tied for third with Hawks’ All-Star lead guard Trae Young. His 29 games scoring 30 or more a season ago was fourth in NBA, which also included five games scoring 40 more, and two games registering 50 points or more.

20-Point Games By Season By     2017-18: 12 Games       2020-21: 51 Games
Jayson Tatum                                2018-19: 23 Games        2021-22: 62 Games
                                                        2019-20: 42 Games

Tatum registered just one 30-point his first two NBA seasons (2017-19). In 2019-20, Tatum had 15 games scoring 40 or more, followed by 20 such games in 2020-21 and third most such games last season with 29 games scoring 30-plus points.

In the prior two seasons (2019-21), Tatum totaled six games with 40 points or more. He had five such games in 2021-22, including a performance of 51 points with 10 boards and seven assists in the Celtics 116-87 win at the Washington Wizards, where he shot 18/28 from the field, including 9/14 from three-point range.

Tatum and Hall of Famer and three-time champion in 1980s with the Celtics Larry Bird are the only two players in Celtics history with multiple 50-point and 10 rebound games.

In the Celtics 126-120 win versus the Nets Mar. 6 on ABC, Tatum scored 34 of his 54 points in the second half, with 18 of those 34 second half points coming in the fourth quarter, making Tatum the first Celtics player with multiple 50-point games in a single-season in their storied NBA history. This came in the middle of a stretch where Tatum scored 20-plus points in 22 consecutive games and in 23 out of last 26 games.

Most 50-Point Games In Celtics History (Including Playoffs/Play-In)
Jayson Tatum: 6     Sam Jones: 2
Larry Bird: 4          Isaiah Thomas:2

Single Game-High Scoring Games By A Player In Celtics History                   
Jayson Tatum: 60 points 4/30/2021   Larry Bird: 53 points 3/20/1983
Larry Bird: 60 points 3/12/1985        Isaiah Thomas: 52 points 12/30/2016
Kevin McHale: 54 points 4/1/1973    Sam Jones: 51 points 10/29/1965
John Havlicek: 54 points 4/1/1973    Jayson Tatum: 51 points 1/23/2022
Jayson Tatum: 53 points 4/9/2021     Paul Pierce: 50 points 2/15/2006
Isaiah Thomas: 5/2/2017                     Larry Bird: 50 points 11/10/1989
                                                              Larry Bird: 50 points 3/10/1986

With 30 points, six rebounds, seven assists on 11/17 shooting, including 6/10 on his triple tries, Tatum moved passed Hall of Famer Ray Allen into No. 3 on the Celtics all-time three-pointers made in Celtics history.

Most Made Threes By A Player In Celtics History
Paul Pierce: 1,823         Jayson Tatum: 827
Antoine Walker: 937    Ray Allen: 798

Most 50-Point Games Before Age 25 Since 1976-77 NBA/ABA Merger (Including Playoffs and Play-In Tournament)
Michael Jordan: 10               Jayson Tatum: 6
LeBron James (LAL): 8       Kobe Bryant: 5

When the Celtics were going through their struggles in the early part of last season, a lot of people on the outside were saying that it was time to break the duo of Tatum and Brown up, with everyone setting their sights on Brown as the one the team needed to trade.

Stevens and the Celtics front office paid no attention to that noise and Brown proved them right as he registered career-highs of 166 made triples in 2021-22, the fourth time in his first six NBA seasons Brown made over 120 triples in total. He also registered a career-high of 11 double-doubles, topping the 10 double-doubles he had in 2020-21 and the eight double-doubles registered in 2019-20).

Brown scored over 1,000 total points also for the fourth time in his six-year NBA career. His 45 games scoring 20 or more was not only a career-best but was tied for 11^th NBA with the Raptors Pascal Siakam. That also included 17 games scoring 30 or more as well as three games scoring 40 or more (had two such games in his first five NBA seasons: all in 2020-21) .  

20-Point Games By Season  2016-17: One Game     2019-20: 34 Games
By Jaylen Brown                  2017-18: 16 Games        2020-21: 43 Games
                                               2018-19: 14 Games        2021-22: 45 Games

30-Point Games By Season 2017-18: One Game   2020-21: 11 Games
By Jaylen Brown                  2018-19: One Game   2021-22: 17 Games
                                               2019-20: Six Games  

Brown scored a career-high 50 points with 11 rebounds on 19/29 shooting, including 5/10 on his triples in the Celtics 116-111 overtime win versus the Orlando Magic Jan. 2.

When both Tatum and Brown each scored 30 or more in a game during their time together as teammates, the Celtics have been a perfect 12-0, including 8-0 in 2021-22.

Through the first 50 games of 2021-22, the Celtics were 25-25 and Tatum and Brown combined in that span to average 50.1 points and 6.9 assists on 44.2 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range.

When the Celtics went an NBA-best 26-6 the final 32 games of 2021-22, Tatum and Brown combined to average 51.6 points and eight assists on 50 percent shooting and 37.3 percent from the three-point line.

Another part to the Celtics turnaround was their commitment to the defensive end, where led the NBA in opponent’s field goal percentage (43.4 percent) and opponent’s three-point percentage (33.9 percent). They were No. 2 in “The Association” in block shots per game at 5.8 as well as No. 7 in the league in rebounding differential at +2.3 per contest. Teams were only able to get on average 20.6 shots off from three-point range and managed to connect on an average of 13.0 against the Celtics in 2021-22, both ranked No. 9 in the NBA in 2021-22. That stellar defense by the Celtics resulted in registering a league-leading 30 games holding their opponent under 100 points.

In the Celtics first 39 games, they were allowing on average 106.9 points, ranking No. 12 in the league. The next six games that followed, they allowed just a league-leading then average of 98.0 points.

To bring into clearer focus how special the Celtics were defensively a season ago, they were 40-5 in 2021-22 when they led in a game by as many as 13 points. They were 33-2 when they led by 10-plus points after three quarters and 35-5 when they held their opponents to 105 points or under, including 25-5 when they held their opponent under 100 points. They won 11 times on the road by 20 points or more, the most in a single-season in Celtics history.

The backbones of the Celtics impenetrable defense a season ago was starting guard Marcus Smart (12.1 ppg, 5.9 apg, 1.7 spg), who also provided the necessary stability at the lead guard spot that has been missing from the Celtics in recent years on both ends of the floor.

Smart’s defensive versatility where he could guard every position or any player on the court is what made the Celtics such a hard team to score against and as a result led him to being named Kia Defensive Player of the Year, the first guard to win the honor since Hall of Famer Gary Payton in 1995-96 and just the sixth guard in NBA history to win this prestigious honor, joining Alvin Robertson (1985-86), Michael Cooper (1986-87), Hall of Famer Michael Jordan (1987-88), and Payton (1995-96).

Smart also made the 2022 All-Defensive First Team for the third time in his career (2019 and 2020).

In the C’s 125-97 win versus the Utah Jazz, Smart had a career-high 13 assists. His continued evolution as a player maker along with the improved play making of Tatum and Brow is how the Celtics ranked No. 13 in the league in assists at 24.8 in 2021-22.

To bring into focus the improved playmaking of Tatum and Brown last season, in the Celtics 128-123 win versus the Indiana Pacers on Apr. 1, Brown had 32 points and seven assists on 12/18 from the field, while Tatum had 31 points with six boards and six assists on 10/24 shooting. This was the first pair of Celtics teammates since Bird and Ainge did it in 1987.

                     Celtics Assists Average By Month In 2021-22          
        Month            Assists      Record         NBA Rank
Oct./Nov. 2021        21.9            9-6                 24^th
Dec. 2021                 22.7            6-9                 24^th
Jan. 2022                 23.8           10-6                 21^st
Feb. 2022                 27.4            8-3                   5^th  
Mar. 2022               26.8           12-3                  9^th
Apr. 2022                32.2            4-1                   2^nd

The other key cog of the Celtics defense last season was Robert Williams III (10.0 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.2 bpg: 2^nd NBA, 73.6 FG%-career-high), who registered a career-high 25 double-doubles a season ago, quadrupling the number he had his first four NBA seasons (four all I 2020-21) and made the All-Defensive Second Team for the first time in his career.

Under Coach Udoka, Williams III basically played the opposing team’s weakest part of their offensive chain and simply protected the paint as a rebounder and shot blocker.

That resulted in Williams III joining the Jazz’s All-Star pivot Rudy Gobert as the only players last season to average 10-plus points and nine-plus rebounds on 70 percent from the field.

Unfortunately for the Celtics, they lost Williams III for the final seven games of this season after he hurt the meniscus in his left knee in the Celtics 134-112 victory on Mar. 7 versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Celtics went in 2021-22:     43-23 with Brown (8-8 without Brown)
                                              40-21 with Williams III (11-10 without Williams III)
                                              47-24 with Smart (4-7 without Smart).

The other key in the Celtics turnaround was having the right pieces around their star three of Tatum, Brown, and Smart. In the early part of this season that was not the case. So, Stevens and the Celtics front office made three key moves to change that.

The first moves came in a three-team deal with the Spurs and Nuggets acquiring forward/center Juancho Hernangomez and cash considerations in exchange for guard P.J. Dozier and center Bol Bol from the Nuggets.

They made three more moves at the Feb. 10 trade deadline flipping Dozier, Bol, and those cash considerations in a deal with the Magic for a 2023 Second Round pick. In a deal with the Houston Rockets, they dealt reserve guard Dennis Schroder and centers Enes Freedom and Bruno Fernando for center Daniel Theis. Then they acquired guard Derrick White (13.2 ppg, 4.9 apg in 75 games w/Spurs and Celtics) from the Spurs in exchange for swingmen Josh Richardson and Romeo Langford; a 2022 First Round pick and 2028 First Round pick swap rights.  

The additions of White, who averaged 11.0 points and 3.5 assists in 26 games with the Celtics had his struggles shooting wise but settled in to being a key role player along with Williams III, Grant Williams (7.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 47.5 FG%) and reserve guard Peyton Pritchard (6.2 ppg, 41.2 3-Pt.%).

The Celtics went 21-5 to close 2021-22 since the acquisition of White.  

In his first three NBA seasons, Williams raised his three-point percentage from 25 percent (24/96 3-Pt.) to 37.2 percent (48/129 3-Pt.) to 41.2 percent (106/258 3-Pt.) in 2021-22.

In the final 13 games of 2021-22, Pritchard scored in double-figures in 10 out those final 13 games. 

When the dust settled on the Celtics 2021-22 regular season, they went 14-3 their final 17 road games after a 9-15 start away from TD Garden. They closed 2021-22 with a 20-7 mark their final 27 home games, including a 13-3 mark their final 16 games at home.

The Celtics kept the good times of their momentum into their First-Round tilt versus the Brooklyn Nets, who they swept 4-0.

They won Game 1 115-114 Apr. 17 on ABC thanks to the last second buzzer-beater by Tatum who, capped his 31-point performance with a driving layup off exceptional ball movement that led Tatum catching the ball in stride and spinning for the score.

Tatum also had eight boards on 3/7 from three-point range and 10/12 at the foul line. Brown added 23 points, five boards, four steals and two blocks. Horford had 20 points and 15 rebounds and Smart also scored 20 with six assists, seven rebounds and two steals on 4/9 from three-point range.

Tatum game-winner was the first buzzer beater in a home playoff game in Celtics rich playoff history as well as Tatum’s first game-winner of his career overall.

Horford became the 13^th player in franchise history to register 20 points and 15 rebounds in a playoff game at age 35. Horford played a major role in the Celtics outrebounding the Nets 43-29 (14-5 offensive glass).

The Celtics dominated the Nets in the paint outscoring them 56-32 as well as 21-17 in fastbreak points and 18-11 in second chance points.

The Celtics had to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit to overtake the Nets in Game 2 114-107.

Down by as many as 17 points; trailing 65-55 at the half and 90-85 after three quarters, the Celtics used a 17-2 run to start the fourth quarter to take their first lead of the evening at 94-92 on a jumper by Pritchard and used a 11-0 run later on the final period to create some distance between them and the visiting Nets.

Celtics Largest Comeback Wins The Last 25 Postseasons            
26 Points: Game 3 2002 East Finals versus then New Jersey Nets
24 Points: Game 4 2008 NBA Finals at Lakers
22 Points: Game 2 2018 East Semis versus 76ers
21 Points: Game 3 East Finals versus Cavaliers
17 Points: Game 1 East Semifinals versus Wizards
17 Points: Game 2 East First-Round versus Brooklyn Nets

Brown led the way with 22 points and six boards while Tatum had 19 points and 10 assists with six boards. Williams had 17 points and six rebounds going a perfect 4/4 shooting, including 3/3 on his threes and 6/6 at the foul line. Horford added 16 points and six boards on 3/6 from three-point range. Smart had 12 points and five assists, while Pritchard scored 10.

Celtics outscored Nets 59-42 in second half going 21/28 from the field, including 11/17 on their threes.

After combining for just 14 points on 5/14 shooting (1/4 3-Pt.) in the opening half, Tatum and Brown combined for 27 points on 9/20 shooting (3/7 3-Pt.) in the second half. Brown (10 points 4/6 FGs: 2/3 3-Pt.) and Pritchard (10 points, 4/5 FGs) combined for 18 points on 8/11 shooting in the fourth period.

The Celtics took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series with a 109-103 victory in Game 3 Apr. 23 at Nets, leading from late in the first on leading by as many as 15 points.

Tatum led the way with 39 points, five boards, six assists and a playoff career-high six steals on 13/29 shooting, making four threes and 9/10 free throws. Brown had 23 points, five boards and two steals, while Smart chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds and two steals.

Celtics sealed the win with an 8-0 scoring run, capped by a three from Tatum that put the Celtics back in front by double-digits at 96-84 with 6:25 left in the final period. It finished a 27-point second half by Tatum, that included 14 points on 5/8 shooting in the fourth quarter (had 12 points in the opening period).

Celtics outscored the Nets 50-42 in the paint; 25-9 in fastbreak points and scored 37 points off 21 Nets turnovers.

The Celtics shot 50 percent from the field (42/84 FGs), making 12/39 of their threes. Had 26 assists on 42 made field goals and outrebounded Nets 34-33 (31-12 offensive rebounds).

They became just the third team over the last 25 postseasons to register 50 points in the paint and 35 points off turnovers.

Tatum in Game 3 became at age 24 the youngest player in franchise history with 25 points and five steals in a playoff game as well as the fourth player in NBA all-time with 25 points and five steals in a playoff game, joining Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, and Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George.

Tatum also became the first player in Celtics playoff history to register 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals in a game.

Williams III had two points and two boards in 16 minutes in his return from a nine-game absence dating back to regular season (torn meniscus left knee) after getting injured Mar. 27 versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Celtics closed the door on the Nets season with a 116-112 close win in Game 4 to win series 4-0 Apr. 25 TNT, to win their first postseason series ever against the Nets.

Celtics, who led by as many as 15 points took a 90-78 lead into the fourth quarter and held off a furious Nets rally in the final period thanks to a late score on a follow by Horford off a missed Smart layup that put the Celtics up 113-109 with 13 seconds left

Tatum, who fouled out with 2:48 left in the final period had 29 points and five assists (9/16 FGs) going 4/6 on his threes, scoring 12 of those 29 points in the third quarter.

Most Total Points In Four-Game Series Sweep In Celtics Playoff History
                                             Total Points       Opponent
2022 Jayson Tatum                  118                    Nets
2020 Jayson Tatum                  108                   76ers
1986 Larry Bird                       101                   Bucks
2020 Kemba Walker                 97                     Nets
1959 Tom Heinsohn                  97          Minneapolis Lakers

Brown had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Smart had 20 points and 11 assists hitting three of his four triple tries. Williams had 14 points and three blocks going 4/6 from three-point range. Horford had 13 points, six boards, hitting 3/5 from three-point range.  

Celtics swept their opening-round series for the third time in the last four postseasons and  (swept Pacers in 2019 4-0; swept the 76ers in the restart in Orlando, FL 4-0 in 2020; lost to Nets in 2021 4-1; swept Nets 4-0 in 2022). It was their eighth best-of-seven series sweep in franchise history.

The Celtics registered the third smallest margin of victory in a four-game series sweep in NBA Playoff history, winning by a total margin of +18 (4.5 points).

Things changed rather quickly at the start of the East Semis as the Bucks took Game 1 at the Celtics 101-89 May 1 on ABC.

While the Celtics went 18/50 on their threes, they were just 10/35 from inside the three-point arc. The 32 times the Celtics missed on their triple tries are the most in a playoff game in franchise history.

Tatum had 21 points with six rebounds and six assists and shot 4/9 on his threes but was just 6/18 overall from the field. Brown had 12 points and nine boards but was just 3/9 from three-point range and 4/13 overall from the field.

Celtics managed just 20 points in the paint, their fewest in a game all season.

The Celtics bounced back taking Game 2 109-86 May 3 on TNT to square the series 1-1 behind an 18-3 scoring run to start the game led wire-to-wire up by as many as 26 points.

Brown had a stellar Game 2 scoring 20 of his 30 points in the first half, six rebounds, six assists, two steals on 11/18 from the floor, including 6/10 from three-point range. Tatum had 29 points and eight assists with three steals on 10/20 shooting, including 5/10 from three. Williams had 21 points, hitting 6/9 from three, while Horford had 11 points and 11 rebounds with four steals and Williams III had 10 points and two block shots.

Brown scored 17 of his 30 points in the first quarter going 6/7 from the floor, making all three of his triples and had 25 points on 9/10 shooting, including 5/5 from three-point range in the opening half.

Brown, Tatum, and Williams combined for 80 points on 17/29 from three-point range in Game 2. Williams’ 21 points in Game 2 set a new playoff career-high.

Celtics outrebounded Bucks 40-37 and scored 24 points off their 17 turnovers. Shot 47.5 percent from the field and registered 28 assists on their 38 made shots and made a single-game franchise playoff record 20 threes going 20/43 on their triple tries, while also shooting 18/37 on their two point tries.

The Celtics went 13/20 on their triple tries in the opening half, setting a franchise record for made threes in any half of a playoff game.

Smart, who got injured in Game 1 loss sat out Game 2 with a bruised right thigh.

The Celtics go Smart back for Game 3 and he put the Celtics in position to get into overtime. After an intentional miss on a second free throw in the final seconds by Smart, the Celtics had three chances on the offensive glass to tie but came up dry I the 103-101 loss to go down in the series 2-1.

Brown led the way with 27 points and 12 rebounds going 10/11 from the foul line, while Horford also had a double-double of 22 points and 16 boards with five assists and two blocks on 4/7 from three. White scored 14, while Williams III had 10 points, five boards, two steals, and three blocks.

Tatum struggled in Game 3 with 10 points on 4/19 shooting including 0/6 from three-point range.

Smart in his return from one-game absence had nine points on 1/8 shooting (6/8 FTs).

Celtics evened things up at 2-2 with a 116-108 win in Game 4 May 9 TNT outscoring the Bucks 43-28 in the fourth quarter, using a 14-2 run to go up 106-96 and sealing the victory.

The Celtics after a second straight poor start shooting just 8/22 in the first quarter scoring 18 points (19 points 8/25 FGs in First Quarter Game 3) shot 84.2 percent (16/19 FGs) in the final period after shooting 40 percent (26/65 FGs) the first three quarters.

While Tatum led the way with 30 points, 13 rebounds and five assists on 11/24 shooting making three triples, Horford was X-Factor with 30 points and eight rebounds on 11/14 from the field and 5/7 from three-point range.

Horford scored 16 of his 30 points in the final period of Game 4, going a perfect 6/6 shooting, including making both of his threes as he registered at age 35 his first 30-point game in his 131^st career playoff game. He surpassed the late Clifford Robinson, who played in his NBA career with the Trail Blazers, Suns, Warriors, Detroit Pistons, and Nets at 91 career playoff games before his first 30-point performance, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Horford became the third oldest player in Celtics Playoff history at 35 years, 340 days to score 30 points in a playoff game.

Williams III (left knee soreness) did not play. Williams started in his place and had just nine points on 3/9 from the floor.

For Tatum, he had his third career 30/10/5 (points/rebounds/assists) game of his postseason career.

With a chance to close the series, the Celtics collapsed in the fourth quarter and fell at home versus the Bucks 110-107 in Game 5 May 11 on TNT, to fall behind 3-2 in the series.

Celtics led by as many as 14 points and were up 86-77 after three quarters. Led 95-82 with 9:28 left in the final period and were up 105-99 with 2:12 left in regulation when the Bucks closed the game on an 11-2 run.

The Celtics with a chance to tie it with a three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation turned the ball over in their backcourt, which put the capper of them getting outscored 33-21 in the fourth quarter of Game 5.

The Celtics blown nine-point lead after three quarters their largest blown lead in the final period at home in franchise playoff history.

Final Two Minutes    BOS                MIL
Game 5                       11     Points       2
                                    3/6      FGs       0/2
                                    3/4      FTs        2/2
                                    2/2     3-Pt.       0/0

Tatum in defeat led the way scoring 12 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter with six rebounds connecting on just 12/29 from the field, including just 2/11 from.

Brown had 26 points, eight boards, and six assists on 3/7 on his triples, scoring 12 of those 26 points in the third quarter on 6/10 shooting. Smart had 15 points and two steals on 3/5 from three.

The Celtics staved off elimination by winning Game 6 108-95 May 13 on ESPN to tie the series 3-3 and improve to 4-1 on the road in 2022 Playoffs.

Tatum was magnificent with 46 points and nine rebounds on 17/32 from the field and going 7/15 from three-point range. Brown chipped in with 22 points and five boards, hitting four of his seven triples. Smart had 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds on 5/9 from three.

Smart got things started with 14 points in the opening period on 4/6 from three-point range, and had 16 points on 6/9 shooting, including 4/7 from three in the opening half.

Tatum after 18 points in the first half on 7/16 shooting and 4/7 from three-point range, had 28 points on 10/16 shooting in the second half, including 16 of his 46 points in the final period, becoming just the second Celtic with multiple 45-point games in the Playoffs.

It was Tatum’s third straight game scoring at least 30 points.

Most Points When Facing Elimination In Celtics Playoff History
1963 Sam Jones 47 points
2002 Paul Pierce 46 points
2008 Paul Pierce 46 Points
2022 Jayson Tatum 46 points
1977 Jo Jo White 40 points

The Celtics rode the momentum from Game 6 and finished off the Bucks in Game 7 with a 109-81 dominant win, closing out the series in grand fashion 4-3 May 15 on ABC, punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth time in the last six seasons and their 21^st  appearance in franchise history, second only to the 23 appearances by their arch-rivals the Lakers.

After trailing 26-20 after the first quarter, the Celtics outscored the Bucks 89-55 the final three quarters, including 61-38 in the second half, where they led by as many as 28 points.

The Celtics had 29 assists on their 37 made field goals and shot 22/55 from three-point range. Those 22 made triples by the C’s was most made in a playoff game in franchise history and the most made in Game 7 in NBA Playoff history.

While Tatum was solid with 23 points, six boards and eight assists on 5/9 from three-point range and Brown had 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals, it was Williams who stole the show with  27 points, six boards and two blocks making 10/22 from the field, including 7/18 from three-point range.

After struggling from the three-point line at 2/7 to start Game 7, Williams found his stroke making 6/11 from there on his way to a career-high seven made triples while also scoring a career-high 27 points and leading the Celtics in scoring outright for the first time in his career (regular season or playoffs).

Williams joined Luguentz Dort of the Thunder as the only players to lead both teams outright in scoring for first time in one’s career in Game 7.

Celtics won a series for the first time since 1988 East Semis versus the Hawks where they trailed 3-2.

The Celtics were a +54 points (66-12) from three-point range, finishing the series a +18 in made triples against the Bucks, tied NBA record and were a +53 in made threes in the series, a new Playoff record. Celtics shot 37 percent from three on 14.7 makes and holding the Bucks to 31 percent from three on 8.8 makes.

The Celtics played a solid first half and an awful second half in dropping Game 1 of East Finals 118-107 at the Heat May 17 on ESPN.

Tatum had 29 points, eight boards, six assists, four steals on 10/21 shooting; Brown had 24 points and 10 rebounds, going 4/8 on his threes. Williams in his return from a four-game absence (left knee) had 18 points and nine rebounds and Pritchard also had 18 points on 4/11 from three. 

In the first half the Celtics, who led by as many as 13 points had 42 points in the paint with 17 assists on route to 62 points on 26/44 shooting (59.1 percent), including going 21/28 in the paint. Tatum tied a playoff career in a first half with 21 points on 9/14 shooting and just one turnover.

In the second half, the Celtics managed just 45 points on 10/35 from the field (28.6 percent), including 3/14 shooting in the paint, and Tatum managed just eight points on 1/7 from the field with six turnovers in the second half.

The Celtics were outscored by the Heat 39-14 in the third quarter, with their -25 point-differential marking the second worst on season (outscored 39-11 in the fourth quarter of 128-114 loss Nov. 1, 2021 versus the Bulls.

The Celtics bounced back once again in the 2022 Playoffs thumping the Hat 127-102 May 19 ESPN, shooting 51.2 percent from the floor (43-84 FGs), registering 28 assists on their 43 made shots with just 10 turnovers. They also went 20/40 on their triple tries and 21/23 at the foul line, while scoring 20 points off 15 Heat turnovers.

Tatum had 27 points, five rebounds, and five assists going 4/6 on his threes, while Brown had 24 points and eight rebounds on 4/7 from three. Smart, who missed Game 1 with a right midfoot sprain returned with 24 points, a playoff career-high 12 assists and nine rebounds, going 5/12 on his triples. Williams III had 19 points and three blocks and Horford and Pritchard each scored 10 points. 

Celtics used a 17-0 run to close the first period and overcoming an early 10-point deficit in the opening period to lead 35-24 after the first quarter to lead from that point on outscoring the Heat 60-21 over the next 18 minutes and they led by as many as 34 points.

The Celtics 25-point lead at the half (70-45) in Game 2 was their largest in a true road Playoff game in their history (led by 22 points at intermission at Bulls in their 2009 First-Round tilt).

After going just 11/34 from three in Game 1, went 9/11 on their triples in the opening quarter of Game 2 while also registering 10 assists in the period.

It was the Celtics fifth road win by 25 points in their storied postseason history.

Celtics Largest Margin Of Victory On Road In Their Postseason History
2010 at Cavaliers +32
1991 at Pistons +32
2005 at Pacers +31
2022 at Heat +25
1968 at Pistons +2 

Tatum had his 6^th consecutive game scoring with 20 points or more in the Playoffs. Behind his 8/13 performance from the field (61.5 percent), 4/6 on his triples (66.7 percent) and a perfect 7/7 at the foul line joined Hall of Famer Larry Bird (1987 First-Round against Bulls) as the only players in Celtics Postseason history to shoot at least 50 percent from the floor, 50 percent from three, and 100 percent at the foul line.

Smart became the first player in Celtics history with 20 points, 10 assists and five made threes in a Playoff game, registering 20 points and 10 assists for the third time in his postseason career. 

Horford (health and safety protocols) returned from one-game absence. 

The Celtics moment was short lived as they dropped Game 3 at home 109-103 May 21 ESPN be down 2-1.

The Celtics fell behind by as many as 26 points, trailing 39-18 after the opening period and while they cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter, they never got the lead.

Brown led the way with 40 points and nine rebounds on 14/20 shooting making three triples and going 9/12 from the charity stripe but had seven turnovers. Horford had 20 points and 14 rebounds with three blocks shot, going 3/5 from three. Smart added 16 points and seven assists, while Williams had 10 points and five boards. Tatum had just 10 points on just 3/14 shooting with six turnovers.

Brown became the first Celtic to score 40 points on 70 percent from the field in a playoff game in their history.

Celtics tied the series 2-2 with a dominant 102-82 win versus the Heat in Game 4 May 23 ESPN. While they struggled to score from the field at just 39.7 percent (31/78 FGs) including just 8/34 on their triples, outscored the Heat 38-28 in the paint. Went 32/38 at the foul line. Block 11 shots and held the Heat to 33.3 percent from the field.

Tatum, despite bounced back with 31 points, eight rebounds, five assists going 14/16 at the foul line. Pritchard had 14 points on 3/6 from three. White had 13 points, six assists, and eight rebounds. Brown had 12 points and seven rebounds despite going jus 5/20 shooting and Williams III had 12 points, nine boards and two blocks.

Tatum sparked the Celtics in the opening half with 24 points and eight boards on 6/11 shooting and 12/14 at the line, registering his third 20-point half of this postseason and registered his 10^th 30/5/5 (points/rebounds/assists) game of his postseason career.

White had his best game of the series after scoring just three points in 40 minutes played the first three games of the series.

Smart (right ankle sprain), who was injured was out, while Williams III (left knee soreness) returned from one-game absence.

The Celtics put a serious grip on the series winning Game 5 at the Heat 93-80 May 25 ESPN to go up 3-2 in the series outscoring the Celtics 56-38 in the second half  after trailing 42-37 at half using a 24-2 run over a 6:30 period in the second half go from up 59-58 to up 83-60, which included a 14-2 run to open the fourth quarter.

 Brown led the way with 25 points on 10/19 from the field, including 5/9 from three. Tatum had a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Horford had 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two block shots. White had his second straight strong game with 14 points and five assists with two steals. Williams added nine points, 10 boards and three blocks.

Smart (right ankle sprain) returned from a one game absence with five points, five rebounds, four assists.

After combining for 10 points on 3/16 shooting in first half of Game 5, Tatum and Brown totaled 37 points on 14/23 from the field in the second half.

Tatum at age 24 became the youngest player in NBA Playoff history with 1,500 total points in his postseason career, surpassing the late Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, who did it at age  23.

3^rd Quarter Summary           BOS                     MIA
                                                  32       Points       16
                                                11/18     FGs         4/23
                                                61.1%   FG%      17.4%

There would be no celebration in “Beantown” as the Heat defeated the Celtics in Game 6 111-103 May 27 ESPN to tie the series 3-3 and force a decisive Game 7 at the Heat.

The Celtics in Game 6 had 18 turnovers that led to 22 Heat points.

Tatum who had 30 points and nine rebounds on 4/7 from three-point range had just six points taking only one shot and going 4/4 at the foul line in the fourth quarter. Brown who had 22 points, five assists and three steals, had just two points on 2/4 at the foul line, going 0/3 from the field in the second half, including just one field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. Smart, who had 14 points, shot just 4/15 from the field, including 1/9 from three-point range in Game 6.

While Tatum and Brown combined to score or assist on all 24 of the Celtics point in the second quarter, they managed to score a combined eight points on 1/4 shooting in the final period, doing most of their damage at the foul line going a combined 6/8.

Horford (three points, six boards, four fouls) and Williams III (two points and five fouls) had more points than fouls each in Game 6.

The Celtics stayed within striking distance in the final period thanks to White, who had 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, while also registering three steals and 4/7 from three-point range in Game 6.

With their season hanging in the balance, the Celtics won Game 7 at the Heat 100-96 to earn their 22^nd appearance in The Finals, including their first Finals berth since 2010. They joined the 1981 Rockets (who were 22-28 after 50 games in 1980-81 season) as the only two teams to reach The Finals after being at or under .500 after 50 games.

The Celtics led wire-to-wire up by as many as 17 points and using a 17-9 run to lead 98-87 with under two minutes left in the final period and had to hold off a furious Heat rally where they closed the gap to two points late in regulation.

It was the Celtics first Game 7 victory in a true road game since winning at the Bucks to win the 1974 title. They won Game 7 in the East Semis in the 2020 restart versus the Raptors. The Celtics also authored the third wire-to-wire victory in Game 7 over the last 25 seasons.

They improved to 7-2 on the road (5-4 at home) in 2022 NBA Playoffs.

Tatum, who won the inaugural Larry Bird East Finals MVP trophy for averaging 25 points, 8.3 boards and 5.6 assists for the series on 47.6 percent from the floor and 36.7 percent from three led the way with 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocks, going 4/7 from three-point range.

Brown, who averaged 24.1 points and 7.1 boards on 48.7 percent from the floor and 38 percent from three in the series had 24 points, six boards, and six assists, while Smart had 24 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, making three triples.

Williams III had 11 points and six boards, while Horford contributed 14 rebounds.

The Celtics dating back to Jan. 23 are now 12-1 (6-0 this postseason) following a loss, winning by an average of 16 points and holding the opposition to 99.1 points.

Entering Game 7, Tatum and Brown had totaled 31 and 19 turnovers respectably in the series. While Brown had four turnovers in Game 7, Tatum had just two miscues.

Tatum, Brown, and Smart all registered at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in Game 7, first trio to do that since Lakers Hall of Famers Earvin “Magic” Johnson and James Worthy, and Byron Scott did it in 1988.

The Celtics road magic continued as they stole Game 1 of The Finals 120-108 June 2 on ABC at the Western Conference Champion Warriors, outscoring them 40-16 in the fourth quarter to overcoming a 12-point deficit after three quarters.

Fourth Quarter Summary   BOS                GS
Game 1                                     40    Points    16
                                                15/22   FGs    7/17
                                                 9/12    3-Pt.    2/8
                                                   1       TOs      4
The Celtics point differential of +24 in the fourth quarter of Game 1 was the largest in Finals history and tied the largest point differential in any quarter in Finals history.

Largest Deficit At Start Of Fourth Quarter Overcome In NBA Finals History
                                               Deficit            Opponent          
Bulls         Game 6    1992       15              Trail Blazers
Celtics      Game 1     2022      12                Warriors
Warriors  Game 5    1967      12                   76ers

Horford was brilliant with 26 points and six rebounds going 6/8 from three-point range. Brown had 24 points, seven boards and five assists on 10/23 shooting. White had 21 points, making 5/8 from three-point range. Smart had 18 points, five assists, two steals going 4/7 from three-point range. While Tatum shot just 3/17 from the floor, he had 12 points, a Finals debut record 13 assists and five boards.

In his NBA Finals debut after playing an NBA record 141 Playoff games played before his first Finals appearance, Horford scored 11 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter on a perfect 4/4 from the field, including making both of his threes. His six made threes on the night set a career-high (regular season or playoffs).

Most Points By Celtic In Their Finals Debut: Elias Sports Bureau
1957 Bill Sharman: 26 points
2022 Al Horford: 26 points
1957 Bob Cousy: 26 points
1957 Tom Heinsohn: 26 points

Brown also had an impact in the final period scoring 10 of his 24 points and registering all five of his Game 1 assists in period.   

The Celtics became the first team Finals history to win by 10-plus points after entering the fourth quarter trailing by 10-plus points.

Celtics used a 17-0 run for a 4:30-plus period in the final period to get in front to stay. They made nine triples in the final period, where they began 7/7 from three and made nine triples in the final quarter.

The Celtics just did not have it in Game 2 falling at the Warriors 107-88 June 5 ABC to square the series 1-1, as they were outscored 55-38 in the second half and had 19 turnovers that led to 33 Warriors points, with 11 of those miscues coming in the opening half that led to 18 Warriors points.

Tatum led the way with 28 points and six boards, going 6/9 from three. He had 21 of those 28 points in the opening half with five boards and three assists on 7/16 shooting, including 5/7 from three-point range. But has just seven points, one rebound and zero assists in the second half on just 1/3 shooting.

Smart, Horford, and Williams III combined for six points on 3/11 shooting in Game 2 after totaling 52 points on 20/27 shooting in Game 1.

Brown who had 17 points and six rebounds in the defeat had 13 of those points in the first quarter on 4/6 from the floor, including making three of his four triples. But he managed just four points on 1/11 from the floor, including 0/5 from three-point range the final three quarters.

Celtics bounced back to win Game 3 116-100 June 8 ABC to go up in the series 2-1 as they outscored the Warriors 23-11 in the fourth quarter and closed the game outscoring the Warriors 34-17 after trailing 83-82 in the third quarter to improve to 7-0 following a loss in the 2022 Playoffs.

Brown led the way with 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists, going 4/8 from three-point range. He had 17 of those 27 points in the opening period and scored or assisted on 24 of the Celtics 33 points in the first quarter.

Tatum had 26 points, six boards and nine assists making three triples, as he scored and assisted on 24 of the Celtics 28 third quarter points.

Smart had 24 points, seven assists, and five rebounds making three triples of his own. Horford had 11 points, eight boards and six assists. Williams had 10 points and five rebounds, while Williams III had eight points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.

Celtics outscored the Warriors 52-26 in the paint. Had 28 assists to just 12 turnovers, including just one turnover in the fourth quarter. Outrebounded Warriors 47-31, including 15-6 on the offensive glass as well as outscored them 22-11 in second chance points.

Tatum and Brown became the first pair of Celtics to each make 50 total threes in a single postseason and became the second duo age 25 or younger to combine for 1,000 total points in a single postseason.

The Celtics had their chance to put a strangle hold on 2022 NBA Finals. But a poor fourth quarter had them on the losing end versus the Warriors 107-97 June 10 on ABC to have the Finals squared at 2-2.

The Celtics were outscored 28-19 in the final period going just 7/21 from the field, including 4/13 from three. Got outrebounded 16-6, including 6-3 on the offensive glass in the final period. Got outscored 17-3 the final 5:15 of the fourth, making just 1/7 from three-point range. In clutch time (score within five points the final five minutes), the Celtics were outscored 15-0, going 0/6 from the floor, including 0/5 from three.

Tatum who had 23 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks on 4/8 from three had just seven of those 23 points in the second half on 2/9 from the floor, including 1/4 from three. Tatum also had six turnovers.

Brown had  21 points and six boards. Smart had 18 points, five assists and four steals, while White had 16 points on 3/5 from three. Williams III had seven points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, wi th just five of those points and two boards in the second half.

The Celtics had 10 of their 16 turnovers in Game 4 in the second half. While they shot 15/38 from three in Game 4, they were just 7/24 from three in the second half and connected on just 16/46 from the field overall in the second half for 34.8 percent after going 18/39 from the floor, 46.2 percent, including 8/14 from three in the first half.

The second half blues continued for the Celtics dropping Game 5 104-94 June 13 ABC at the Warriors to fall behind in the series 3-2.

They overcame a 51-38 deficit at the half outscoring the Warriors 35-24 in the third quarter going 11/19 from the field, including 6/9 from three-point range and 7/8 at the charity stripe. They opened the quarter on a 19-4 run and outrebounded the Warriors 12-7 in the period and had seven assists on their 11 made baskets. But they also had five turnovers.

Tatum had his second straight double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds on 10/20 shooting, including 5/9 from three. But was subpar in the fourth quarter with just five points on 1/5 from the floor and is now 5/21 from the field in the fourth quarter so far in the series.

Smart had 20 points making 3/6 from three. Brown had 18 points and nine boards but began Game 5 2/11 from the field and finished 5/18 shooting, including 0/5 from three.

Tatum (nine points, 3/4 3-Pt.), Brown nine points, 5/5 FTs), and Smart (nine points, 3/6 FGs: 2/3 3-Pt.) combined for 27 points on 8/16 shooting, 5/8 from three and 6/7 at the free throw line in the period.

In game where they outrebounded the Warriors 47-39, outscoring them 16-7 in second chance points and recovered from an 0/12 start from three-point range making their next eight triples, the Celtics were just 21-31 at the foul line in Game 5 and had 18 turnovers that led to 22 Warriors points.

The Celtics after pulling to within 75-74 after three quarters, were outscored 29-20 in the fourth quarter falling to a minus 18 in the final period the last two games after being a +40 in the fourth quarter the first three games of this series.

The Celtics title dreams ended on their home floor with a 103-90 loss in Game 6 June 16 on ABC as the Celtics turnover issues continued with 23 miscues that led to 27 Warriors points.

It was the Celtics first three game losing streak since Dec. 25-29, 2021 as they suffered their first three-game losing streak in their Finals history and sustained their first Finals series loss when leading 2-1. They were 12-0 in such a scenario.  

Brown had 34 points on 12/23 shooting, including 5/11 from three with seven rebounds. Horford had 19 points and 14 rebounds, going 4/5 from three, scoring 12 of his 19 points in the third quarter.

Tatum though struggled with just 13 points going 6/18 from the field and just 1/4 from three and had zero free throws with seven assists. That included just two points in second half. Smart also struggled with just nine points on just 4/12 shooting with nine assists and six boards.

Entering the 2022 Offseason, the Celtics looked to upgrade the supporting cast to go alongside Tatum and Brown.

In a trade with the Pacers on July 9, the Celtics acquired guard Malcolm Brogdon (19.1 points, 5.9 apg, 5.1 rpg, 44.8 FG%, 31.2 3-Pt.% w/Pacers) in exchange center Daniel Theis, forwards Aaron Nesmith, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, guard Nik Stauskas and a 2023 First-Round pick.

In free agency, they added veteran forward sharp-shooter Danilo Gallinari (11.7 points, 4.7 rpg, 38.1 3-Pt.% w/Hawks) on a two-year, $13.2 million deal, with the second year of the deal being a player option.

Brogdon, 29 said at his introductory presser as a Celtics on July 12 that he experienced “winning at a high level” with the Bucks his first three seasons with the Bucks as a Second-Round pick out of the University of Virginia. That was not the case in his time with the Pacers, especially the last couple of years, especially on the injury front.

“So, this is everything I’ve ever wanted. To be able to get back to this level. To be able to compete with guys that want to win a championship. And that are all in. That want to sacrifice to win,” Brogdon, the 2016 Kia Rookie of the Year  said. “It’s very fortuitous for me to be here. I think it’s the perfect time for me.”  

Adding Brogdon provides the Celtics not only another ball handler and playmaker to take the playmaking pressure of Tatum, Brown, and Smart but he along with Gallinari will provide floor spacing with their ability to strike a match from the perimeter, especially from three-point range.

This should allow Tatum and Brown to be more on the receiving end on offense instead being the primary initiators, which worked to the Celtics disadvantage at time in the 2022 East Finals and in the 2022 Finals.

To put that into context, when the Celtics committed under 16 turnovers during the 2022 Playoffs, they were 13-2 and just 1-8 when they had 16-plus miscues.

Brogdon though must stay healthy. Outside of his rookie season with the Bucks, he has played in 48, 64, 54, 56, and 36 games the last five seasons, with the latter three with the Pacers.

Unfortunately, the Celtics will not have Gallinari for possibly this entire season coming up because he tore his left ACL while competing for the Italian national team at FIBA World Cup qualifying game against Georgia at the start of September.  

“This has been a tough week for me as I have learned the extent of my injury,” Gallinari said on social media post. “This game means everything to me and not being able to be on the court with my Celtics teammates hurts. I plan to give everything I can to the Celtics organization and my teammates as we hunt for a title. I will work tirelessly with the Celtics staff to return to the court as soon as possible.”

The news did not get any better for the Celtics in the lead up to training camp as Williams III had arthroscopic surgery remove loose bodies and address swelling in his left knee that will keep him out as between 8-12 weeks. This led the Celtics on Sept. 30 to sign veteran power forward Blake Griffin (6.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg w/Nets) to a one-year fully guaranteed deal.

While injuries have slowed the once future face of the league while with the Clippers and in the early part of his time with Pistons and the past season plus with the Nets, the six-time All-Star at least gives the Celtics a front court player, who can at least be a presence on the floor. How much of a presence remains to be seen.

“I think there’s an opportunity here. The biggest thing for me is playing meaningful basketball and playing basketball in the Playoffs. And also, being a part of a good group” Griffin said to the Boston media on why he chose to join the Celtics. “I think this place checks those list.”

Griffin also said that he’ll be ready for whatever role that they ask for him to play.  

Perhaps the biggest issue the Celtics have to tackle now is getting adjust to their new head coach in interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, who took over for the suspended Coach Udoka on Sept. 23 after an investigation by an independent law firm uncovered multiple violations of team policies.

“It’s an unfortunate situation for everyone involved. And you have to give people the time and space to feel and the time and space to heel,” Coach Mazzulla said about the aftermath of what Udoka did. 

A source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Udoka had an intimate relationship with a female member of the Celtics staff.

Celtics’ Governor Wyc Grousbeck and Stevens provided very little specifics of the case in a press conference on Sept. 23 when they publicly announced Udoka’s suspension for the entire season.

The decision even confused the players, especially Tatum, Brown, and Smart. But as Brown said at Media Day to NBC Sports Celtics sideline reporter Abby Chin that is “not the greatest way to start off a winning season” he is “optimistic that the team can pull it together.

“I don’t want to waist a year and I don’t want to look back,” Brown, who averaged 23.1 points and 6.9 rebounds on 47.0 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three in 2022 Playoffs said of his focus for this season. “Now, all my focus and my energy is on like how we can figure out a way to make things right.”

Tatum, who averaged 25.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in the 2022 Playoffs echoed those same feelings saying to Chin said that “tough times” and “uncomfortable times” make you stronger and that this moment they are in right now must make him and the Celtics stronger once the regular season get under way on Oct. 18.  

Whether Udoka does return to coach the Celtics once his suspension concludes on June 30, 2023 is up in the air. Until then, this team is in the hands of 34-year-old Mazzulla, who has been with the Celtics since 2019 and while he has very little coaching experience, he has coached the Celtics during summer league and has the respect of the players, especially Tatum, Brown and Smart.   

The Boston Celtics began a new last season with a new leadership in the front office and on their sidelines. While the leadership remains in the front office, they will have new leadership on the bench with interim head coach Joe Mazzulla.

The good thing for Mazzulla, he is in charge of a team that has been in the East Final in four out of the last six seasons. While that roster will not be at full strength without Robert Williams and Danilo Gallinari, they still have their “Core Three” of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart in the fold along with Al Horford, Grant Williams, Payton Prichard and new additions in Malcolm Brogdon and Blake Griffin.

How quickly Coach Mazzulla and the Celtics can get on the same page will go a long way in how the Celtics will do this season in an even more loaded Eastern Conference.

“Regardless of what has happened, we have a great roster and we have a great opportunity. And that’s what I have to focus on and get this team where it needs to go,” Mazzulla said.

Best Case Scenario: The Celtics are Top 3 Seed in East. Tatum and Brown are both named All-Stars for the first time as well as make All-NBA. Tatum is in the running for Kia MVP. The Celtics are Top 3 defense once again. Have a Top 10 scoring bench.  Coach Mazzulla becomes the permanent head coach. The Celtics are back in The Finals. 

Worst Case Scenario: The Celtics are lower seed in the East. Brogdon deals with injuries again. The supporting cast around Tatum and Brown under performs. They fall short of making The Finals.

Grade: B+

Brooklyn Nets: 44-38 (4^th Atlantic Division; No. 7 Seed in East; 20-21 at home, 24-17 on the road) Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Play-In Tournament Apr. 12 to clinch No. 7 Seeded in East; Lost to No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics 4-0 in East Quarterfinals.  

-112.9 ppg-9^th; opp. ppg: 112.1-18^th; 44.4 rpg-13^th   

The 2021-22 Brooklyn Nets despite having a few shining moments as well as producing the most regular season road wins in their history, their disconnection as well as injuries, did them in. That drama continued into the summer where both star players wanted out but remain still. In fact, the best player of the two demanded that their Governor fire the head coach and General Manager. With the core of the team back along with some key additions, the goal for the Nets is to build a unbreakable comradery, with all eyes on them as a new season begins  that will be their compass towards winning their first NBA title. 

Last season, the Nets began behind the eight ball as perennial All-Star guard Kyrie Irving refused to apply with the New York City COVID-19 vaccination mandate, which resulted in being sidelined.

Along without having their second star player, the Nets lost their best shooter in Joe Harris (11.3 ppg, 45.2 FG%, 46.6 4-Pt.%) to a left ankle injury on Nov. 14, 2021 at the Thunder, which required surgery, twice and ultimately was that shelved the final 68 games of 2021-22

That put the offensive load on the shoulder of Kevin Durant (29.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 6.4 apg, 51.8 FG%, 38.3 3-Pt.%) and the 2014 Kia MVP, and 12-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion with Golden State Warriors and two-time Finals MVP rose to the moment.

The now 10-time All-NBA selection (First Team 2010-14 & 2018; Second Team (2016, 2017, 2019, & 2022) registered 18 double-doubles and shot over 50 percent from the field for the ninth straight season. Registered the third highest scoring average of his career (32.0 ppg in 2013-14 led the NBA and 30.1 ppg in 2009-10, both w/Thunder).

Durant got out of the gates quickly scoring wise a season ago scoring 20-plus points in Nets first 10 games of 2021-22, first player to do that in Nets history and the first he has done that in his career.  

Last season, Durant had 25 30-plus point games, which was No. 9 in the NBA and included four 40-plus point performances. He also registered four triple-doubles a season ago and three of his nine 50-plus point games in 2021-22. Scored 20 points or more in 50 out of the 55 games he played. 

The first of those 50-point games came on Dec. 12, 2021, where Durant had a then season-high of 51 points on 16/31 shooting, including 5/10 from three with nine assists and seven rebounds in the Nets 116-104 win at the Detroit Pistons.

He followed that up with 34 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the Nets 131-129 overtime win versus the Raptors on Dec. 14, 2021. Durant became the first Net with a 50-point game and a triple-double in back-to-back games in their history and became the first Net to lead them in points, rebounds, and assists in three straight games from Dec. 12-16, 2021. He also in this span scored 30-plus points, with five-plus rebounds, and five-plus assists in four straight games from Dec. 10-16, 2021.

In the Nets 110-107 victory Mar. 13 on ABC versus the Knicks, Durant had a new season-high of 53 points with nine assists, and six boards on 19/37 from the floor with four made threes. 

Irving’s absence also meant James Harden needed to do more and he to happily rose to the moment following a slow start to this season because of all the rule changes of how fouls were going to be called or not called in terms of being able to get to the free throw line.

Harden the first 12 games of 2021-22 averaged 18.2 points and 8.2 assists but was shooting just 41 percent from the floor and attempting just 4.7 free throws. The next 15 games, Harden production was what we were used to seeing with 23.1 points and 10.4 assists on an average of 9.7 free throws. But the shooting percentage from the field was still subpar at 40 percent.

The Nets also got major offensive contributions from veteran guard Patty Mills (11.4 ppg, 40.8 3-Pt.%), who produced four different sets of back-to-back 20-plus point games for the first time in his career, bring that total to seven times he has accomplished that feet in his NBA career.

Mills also had five games in 2021-22 where he made seven or more threes. He accomplished that  in three of his first 739 career games. He made 33 triples in a six-game span (Nov. 14, 2021-Nov. 24, 2021), the most in a six-game span not just in the career of Mills, it was the most in a six-game span in Nets history.

The problem with Mills contributions is that it came with him having to play heavy minutes, that totaled 2,346 in 2021-22, a career-high and started a career-high 48 games in 2021-22.

Patty Mills’ Minute Totals In Recent Seasons
2016-17 with Spurs: 1,754
2018-19 with Spurs: 1,908
2017-18 with Spurs: 2,107
2021-22 with Nets:   2,346

I did not get any easier for the Nets when in Dec. 2021 they had a COVID-19 outbreak as the result of a new variant strain of the virus Omnicrom made its presence felt not just with them but across the entire league, which to a plethora of player absence and in three games getting postponed and rescheduled.

Those Nets games that were cancelled led them having to make those up in January, play three back-to-backs to go along with playing eight of their 15 games that month on the road. The Nets went 6-10 in January, including splitting two of three back-to-backs they had and going 0-2 in the other, and went 3-5 on the road in January.

This led to the Nets to play their rookies in Cam Thomas (8.5 ppg), Kessler Edwards (5.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 35.3 3-Pt.%), and Day’Ron Sharpe (6.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 57.7 FG%) significant minutes.

Thomas stood out scoring in double-figures 28 times, including registering 10 games with 20 points or more.

He had a season-high of 30 points on 11/19 shooting making three triples in the Nets 125-102 loss at the Jazz on Feb. 4.

Thomas introduced himself to the NBA scoring 16 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter on 7/10 from the field, including the game-clinching three pointer with 07.7 seconds left in the Nets 111-106 victory Feb. 16 at the Knicks on ESPN, where they overcame a 28-point deficit.

Youngest  Players To Score 20-Plus Points In A Game For Nets All-Time
Cliff T. Robinson 22 points 11/25/1979 at Cavaliers at 19 years, 257 days
Cam Thomas 21 points 1/10/2022 at Trail Blazers at 20 years, 89 days
Jarrett Allen 20 points 2/2/2018 versus Lakers at 19 years 287 days
Day’Ron Sharpe 20 points 1/12/2022 at Bulls 20 years, 67 days

20-Plus Point Games By 2022 NBA Rookie Class Since Jan. 1
Cade Cunningham (DET) 18
Cam Thomas (BKN) 10
Franz Wagner (ORL) 8

This also led to the Nets bringing back Irving (27.4 ppg, 5.8 apg, 46.9 FG%, 41.8 3-Pt.%) for road games only because as mentioned he was unvaccinated and the seven-time All-Star and 2016 NBA champion with Cavaliers made his season debut Jan. 5 at the Pacers.

Irving, who missed the first 35 games of last season scored 10 of his 22 points on 9/17 shooting in 32 minutes in helping the Nets to a 129-121 victory.

The Nets win at the Pacers was the first time the trio of Durant, Harden, and Irving suited up in the same game since Game 1 of the 2021 East Semis against the Bucks. In their prior 14 games together, they guided the Nets to a 11-3 mark behind averages of 121.8 points on 49.4 percent from the floor, 40.4 percent from three-point range and 26.9 assists. 

That reunion would be short lived as the Nets lost Durant to an MCL sprain in his left knee sustained in their 120-105 win versus the New Orleans Pelicans Jan. 15.

Durant missed 16 games, with the Nets going 5-16 without him. That also included an 11-game losing streak from Jan. 23-Feb. 14, their longest losing streak since dropping 16 straight from Jan-Feb. 2017. The Nets lost by an average of 14.4 points in the first nine games of that 11-game skid and by 12.3 points in all during the slide.

They went from being a top the Eastern Conference at 29-16 to just hanging around .500 mark the remainder of the season.

Longest Losing Streaks After Being 10 Games Over .500 In A Season In NBA History
2021-22 Nets were 29-16 before losing 11 straight games
1979-80 Trail Blazers were 16-6 before losing 10 straight games
1982-83 Seattle Supersonics were 23-7 before losing eight straight games.

The drama got to the point that Harden had enough and wanted out and the Nets eventually honored his request dealing him to the 76ers along with veteran Paul Millsap in exchange for three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, Seth Curry (15.0 ppg, 48.7 FG%, 42.2 3-Pt.% w/76ers and Nets) and Andre Drummond, and a 2027 First-Round pick.

In the end, the trio of Durant, Irving, and Harden counting the Playoffs played only 16 out of a possible 158 games together going 13-3. When two of the three were in the lineup, the Nets were 49-29. With one of the three in the lineup, the Nets were 15-12. When none of the three played, the Nets went 1-6, including 0-3 this season.  

                                             James Harden’s Career As A Net                             
Dec. 25, 2021 (121-115) Win at Lakers on ABC: 36 Pts, 10 Asts, 10 Rebs,
Dec. 27, 2021 (124-108) Win at Clippers: 39 Pts, 15 Asts, 8 Rebs: 4^th Game With 30-Plus Points and 15-Plus Asts As A Net, Most In Their History. His 75 Points and 25 Assists Total In These Two Games Made Him The First Net To Do That In A Two-Game Span.

Dec. 2021 Averaged 26.3 Points, 11.1 Assists, and 8.9 Rebounds

80 Career Games As a Net, 21 Triple-Doubles, Included Nine 30-Point Triple-Doubles, A Franchise Record: All Other Nets Players Totaled 12 Such Games.

Had Seven Games With 25-Plus Points and 15-Plus Assists, Most In Nets History And With Such Games is Kenny Anderson With Three.

Irving and Harden Both Scored 20-Plus Points In Same Game 18 Times As Nets Teammates.

While the Nets got major contributions from Curry (15.0 ppg, who averaged 14.9 points on 49.3 percent shooting, and 46.8 percent from three-point range as well as Drummond, Simmons ended up not playing a single minute due to unexpected back issues. 

When Irving was in the lineup on a part-time basis to begin, he played to the level that made him a seven-time All-Star.

In the 29 games he played, he registered 11 30-point game, which also included four 40-point games and two 50-point games.

The first of those 50 points games came in the Nets 132-121 victory Mar. 8 at the Hornets when he scored 50 right on the nose with six assists on 15/19 from the field, including 9/12 from three and 11/13 at the foul line.

Irving joined Michael Jordan as the only two players in NBA history with multiple 50-point games on 75 percent from the field. He also joined Hall of Famers in the late Wilt Chamberlin, Karl Malone, and Adrian Dantley with five career 50-point games.

The Nets’ floor leader put on a show for the ages in the Nets 150-108 win on Mar. l5 at the Magic scoring a career-high, tied an NBA season-high, and single-game franchise record 60 points on 20/31 shooting, going 8/13 from three and 12/13 at the foul line with six boards and four steals. He surpassed his previous career-high of 57 points with the Cavaliers Mar. 3, 2015 at the Spurs.

Irving had the sixth 50-Point game of his career and registered the 16 of 19 50-Point Games in 2021-22. Became the first player in NBA history to score 60 after missing the previous game.  

Irving, who scored 41 of his 60 points in the first half were the most in the first two quarters of an NBA game since the late Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant scored 42 points in the opening half on Mar. 28, 2003 versus the Washington Wizards.

                        Inside The Nets 150-Point Performance At The Magic                           
-150 Points: Most In A Regulation Game In Their History.

-48 1^st Quarter Points: Set A New Franchise Record For First Quarter, Surpassing The Previous  Record of 46 First Quarter Points Feb. 2000 Against The Celtics.

-86 First Half Points: Most In Any Half In Franchise History.

-Irving’s 41 1^st Half Points: Career-High In Any Half Of His 11-Year Career And The Most By A Nets Player In Their History.

When Durant returned on Mar. 3 from his 21-game absence, the Nets closed the season 12-7, including going on a four-game winning streak following a three-game losing streak. It took a 134-126 home win in the regular-season finale versus the Pacers to earn home court advantage in the East Play-In Tournament.

That included a 10-5 mark with Durant and Irving in the lineup where Durant averaged 28.9 points and 7.9 rebounds on 51 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. Irving averaged 30.3 points and 6.6 assists on 57 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range.

The Nets up and down 2021-22 is the result of having no continuity during the season thanks to a league-high 43 different starting lineups in 2021-21, a new single-season record, surpassing the previous record of 38 different starting lineups. In total, 19 different players started a game for the Nets in 2021-22.

With Durant in the lineup as season ago, the Nets 36-19 and just 8-19 without him in the lineup. The Nets are in Durant’s career as a Net, they have gone 59-31. 

With Irving in the lineup, the Nets were just 14-15 and 30-23 without him. That 14-15 mark also included the 10-13 mark in road games with Irving in the lineup. They were on the road 14-4 overall before Irving's return.

Durant and Irving have been in the lineup together for just 58 out of a possible 243 games the last three seasons. That included 17 games in 2021-22, were the Nets went 11-6 with Durant and Irving in the lineup.

After starting the season 10-5 their first 15 games at home, the Nets closed with a 20-21 mark at Barclays Center, which included a 7-8 home mark their final 15 home games.

The Nets 20 home wins in 2021-22 fewest in a +.500 season in franchise history. Previous mark for fewest home wins in a single season for the Nets was 24 in 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons. They finished under .500 at home for the 28^th time in their 46 NBA seasons.

The Nets began 2021-22 17-5 their first 22 road games, which included a 18-6 mark with Durant in the lineup. But were 6-11 without Durant in the lineup.  In total, the Nets authored a franchise single-season record with 24 road wins.

Most Road Wins In Single Season In Nets Franchise History 
2021-22: 24                2020-21: 20
2012-13: 23                2005-06: 20 (As New Jersey Nets)

Nets Road Stats 2021-22: 115.4 points, 48.4 percent from the field, 39 percent from three-point range.

The one constant for the Nets in 2021-22 regardless of who was in the lineup was at the offensive end, where they shot 47.5 percent from the field (4^th NBA) and 36.1 percent from three-point range (10^th NBA). They were No. 8 in “The Association” in fastbreak points (13.7) and No. 10 in second chance points (13.7). While they ranked in the middle of the pack in free throw attempts in 2021-22 at 21.7 (14^th NBA), they were No. 6 in free throw percentage at 80.5 percent.

Last season, the Nets were 38-12 when they scored 110 points or more, including 18-3 when they scored 120 or more, and were 7-0 when they scored 130 or more. The Nets had 14 different players score 20-plus points in 2021-22, with only the Pacers having more with 18 players scoring 20 or more in a game.

In the Nets 122-115 loss Apr. 2 at the Hawks, Durant scored a career-high 55 points with seven rebounds on 19/28 from the field, including 8/10 from three and 9/11 at the foul line.  Those eight made threes set a new career-high for Durant. His 44 points the first three quarters was a career-high in the regular season. Irving also played well in that game with 31 points but was just 12/32 shooting and 6/11 on his threes.

Kevin Durant’s Highest Field Goal Percentage In 50-Point Game In His Career
55 Points, 19/28 FGs: 67.9 FG% Apr. 2, 2022 At Hawks.

54 Points: Previous Career-High, 19/28 FGs Jan. 17, 2014 versus Warriors
w/Oklahoma City Thunder.

51 Points 19/28 FGs: 67.9 FG% Feb. 19, 2012 vs. Nuggets w/Oklahoma City Thunder.

Multiple 50_Point Games By A Player With Three Different Teams NBA History
                Wilt Chamberlin                                  LeBron James   
SF/PHI Warriors: 105 Games                       Cavaliers: 9 Games
                    76ers: 11 Games                                  Heat: 2 Games
                 Lakers: 2 Games

       Kevin Durant    
Thunder:  4 Games
Warriors: 2 Games
        Nets: 3 Games

In the history of the Nets, only Durant (4) and Irving (3) have registered multiple 50 points games. The only other Nets to score 50 or in a game in their history, now Cavaliers swingman Caris LeVert; Deron Williams, Vince Carter, Stephon Marbury, Ray Williams, Mike Newlin, and John Williamson.

Teammates With Fewest Span Of Games With 50 Points NBA All-Time
Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving Of Nets: Three Games Mar. 2022
Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson of Warriors: 4 Games Oct. 2018
Larry Bird & Kevin McHale of Celtics: 5 Games Mar. 1985

Teammates With Multiple 50-Point Games In Single-Season NBA History
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving With Nets 2021-22
Jerry West and Elgin Baylor With Lakers 1961-62

Highest Scoring Average In A Month In Nets History
Kevin Durant         Dec. 2021  33.1 Points
Vince Carter          Apr. 2005   32.3 Points
John Williamson   Apr. 1978   31.0 Points
John Williamson   Feb. 1978   30.7 Points
Kevin Durant        Mar. 2022  30.6 Points
Vince Carter         Feb. 2005   30.2 Points

Durant also last March averaged 7.3 assists, his highest for a month in his career, surpassing his 7.2 assists average February 2014 with the Thunder.  

The Nets as great as they were offensively a season ago, they were not always cohesive at the defensive end. While they were ranked No. 7 in opponent’s field goal percentage (45.2%); No. 8 in opponent's three-point (34.5%); and No. 5 in block shots (5.5), they were ranked No. 15 in opponent’s paint points (47.3); No. 22 in opponent’s second chance points (13.7) and No. 25 in opponent’s fastbreak points (14.0). Their rebound differential was +0.2 (14^th NBA) and averaged 7.1 steals (24^th NBA).

The Nets in 2021-22 were only 11-30 when they allowed 110 points or more, including 6-15 when they allowed 120 points or more and 0-4 when they allowed 130 points or more.

They punched their ticket to the 2022 Playoffs with a 115-108 win versus the Cavaliers in their Play-In Tournament Apr. 12 on TNT to earn the No. 7 in the East and a date with the Celtics in the First Round, who they defeated 4-1 in the 2021 East Quarterfinals.

Nets led wire-to-wire leading 40-20 after the first quarter and led by as many as 22 points. They had 33 assists on their 45 made field goals, shooting 53.6 percent from the field on the evening (45/84 FGs). They shot 17/24 from the field (71%) with 11 assists and just one turnover on their way to a 40-point opening period.

They were sharp defensively registering nine block shots and nine steals and scored 24 points off 15 Cavaliers turnovers. 

Irving led the way with 34 points and 12 assists on 12/15 from the field and 3/6 from three. Durant had 25 points and 11 assists with five boards, two steals and three blocks. Claxton had 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.

Durant and Irving combined for 19 points and 10 assists in the first period on a perfect 8/8 shooting and just one turnover. They combined at one point to score 15 consecutive points.

Irving had 20 points on 9/9 shooting in the opening half with those nine made field goals his since a 10/10 shooting effort Jan. 31, 2020 versus the Bulls.

                  Nets Other Superlatives Against Cavaliers In Play-In Game                                               
Durant and Irving scored or assisted on 80 percent of the Nets field goals.

Durant and Irving had their first game as teammates where both registered double-digit assists.

Durant had 10-plus assists in consecutive games for the first time since 2018 with the Warriors (Durant had 20 Points, 10 Rebounds, 16 Assists versus Pacers Apr. 10) 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 respectably.

The Nets had a chance to put a scare into the Celtics in Game 1 of their First-Round tilt. Instead, the Celtics broke the Nets hearts with a game-winning layup off excellent ball movement and All-Star Jayson Tatum scored at the buzzer for a 115-114 Celtics Apr. 17 on ABC.

It waisted an incredible effort by Irving, who scored 18 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter to go along with six assists, five rebounds, and four steals. He went 12/20 from the field and 6/10 from three-point range (9/9 (FTs). Durant had 23 points but was just 9/24 shooting and 1/5 from three. Claxton had 13 points, eight boards and three blocks.

Durant had just seven points on 2/10 from the field in the first half and finished Game 1 with six turnovers. Irving scored 15 points with three steals in the opening half.

Curry had nine points on 3/3 shooting in the first quarter but did not score on 0/4 shooting the final three quarters.

The Nets efforts to steal Game 2 failed as they lost 114-107 Apr. 20 on TNT to trail the series 2-0. They were done in by a poor second half, especially by their two stars.

Durant led the way with 27 points and five assists. Curry had 16 points (6/11 FGs) shot 4/6 on his threes. Irving had just 10 points with eight rebounds.

Nets shot 53.8 percent from the field in Game 1 (42/78 FGs) and 11/24 on their threes. In Game 2, they shot 46.1 percent (35/76 FGs) and were 10/21 on their triple tries.

They were done by the Celtics defensive pressure in the second half of Game 2 getting outscored 59-42 the second 24 minutes.

Nets Game 2              1^st Half: 24/40 FGs (60%): 6/12 3-Pt.
                                    2^nd Half: 11/36 FGs (30.6%): 4/9 3-Pt. and 16/21 FTs

Durant and Irving combined for 16 points, 1/17 shooting, including 0/2 from three-point range and 14/16 at the foul line.

Durant had 12 points, all from the foul line on 12/14 at the charity stripe but was 0/10 shooting from the field in the second half, his worst field goal percentage (0% in regular season or Playoffs) in his career. He had more fouls (5) and turnovers (6) than field goals made (4) in Game 2

Durant First     Game 1: 9/24 FGs: 1/5 3-Pt., 4/5 FTs, 6 Turnovers
Two Games      Game 2: 4/17 FGs: 1/2 3-Pt.; 18/20 FTs, 6 Turnovers

The change of scenery did not change the outcome as the Nets fell at home to the Celtics 109-103 Apr. 23 on ESPN to trail the series 3-0 and seeing their four-game home winning streak dating back to the regular season snapped.

The fourth quarter was their undoing in Game 3 getting outscored 29-17 in the final period, going just 5/19 from the field for 26.3 percent shooting.

Durant struggled again with scoring just 16 points on 6/11 shooting (2/3 3-Pt.; 2/2 FTs) with eight rebounds, eight assists, and five turnovers.

In the opening half of Game 3, Durant had jus seven points on 3/5 from the floor, tying his second fewest shot attempts in a first half in all of 2021-22.

First Three     Durant 12 Points, 5/10 FGs       4^th Quarter of  Durant 4 Points, 1/4 FGs
Quarters of    Irving  14 Points, 5/13 FGs       Game 3             Irving   2 Points, 1/4 FGs
Game 3

4^th Quarter Total    Durant 10 Points, 1/6 FGs   Irving: 4 Points, 2/8 FGs        
Games 2 & 3

Durant with only one field goal attempt playing all 12 minutes the fourth quarter of Game 3, the second time in his career playing the entire final period and attempting only one shot.

Irving also had 16 points with nine assists and three steals on just 6/17 shooting, including 0/7 from three. Claxton had 13 points and seven boards, while Mills had 12 points on 4/5 from three. Curry chipped in with 10 points.

Nets in the third period of Game 3, were outscored by the Celtics 28-22, going 8/17 from the field and 2/5 from three-point range but had eight turnovers that led to 16 Celtics points.

                                    Nets At Home Entering Game 3 (Includes Play-In)                                 
                        First 15 Games          Next 13 Games          Last 11 Games
Record                  10-5                               3-13                           8-3
PPG                      109.0                            106.3                          118.0
FG%                    46.3%                          44.2%                        51.2%

The Nets season concluded with a close 116-112 loss in Game 4 Apr. 25 on TNT to be swept in the First Round 4-0. The 4^th time in franchise history getting swept out of the Playoffs.

Durant had a series-high of 39 points with seven rebounds and nine assists on 10/11 at the charity stripe. But shot just 13/31 from the field, including 3/11 from three-point range. Irving had 20 points, five assists and five boards (6/13 FGs: 2/3 3-Pt.; 6/6 FTs). Curry had 23 points (9/13 FGs) going 5/9 from three. Claxton 13 points, six rebounds, two steals and three blocks.

Nets finally made some hay in the Celtics stingy defense as they shot 50.6 percent from the field (41/81 FGs) and 13/35 from three-point range. They had 28 assists on their 41 made field goals. Scored 18 points off 13 Celtics turnovers, while only committing 10 turnovers themselves. But they were just 17/29 (58.6%) at the foul line with Claxton being the main culprit going 1/11 at the charity stripe. Claxton entered the Game 4 0/10 at the foul line in the series.  

Durant for the series shot 32/83 from the field with 21 turnovers total in the four games. The 17 total turnovers the first three games tied the most  over a three-game span of his postseason career.

The drama the Nets had all of 2021-22 continued into the offseason. On June 27, the Nets front office led by GM Sean Marks says they are not going to offer Irving a max contract extension. Just 24 hours prior to the start of free agency, Durant in speaking with Governor Joe Tsai requests to be traded after signing a four-year, $194.2 million deal in August 2021.

Durant along with asking to be traded made a them-or-me ultimatum of Marks and Coach Nash fired.

The Nets ultimately did not trade Durant because the price was too step of young players and a plethora of draft picks for one of the basketball players on Earth. Marks and Nash also kept their jobs.

All parties from Durant, Coach Nash, Governor Tsai, and Marks all met with Durant’s business partner Rich Kleiman in late August in L.A. and “agreed to move forward” with their partnership.

“Steve Nash and I together with Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai [Joe’s wife] met with Kevein Durant and Rich Kleiman in Los Angeles yesterday,” Marks said in a statement that was put on the Nets Twitter page @BrooklynNets on Aug. 23. “We have agreed to move forward with our partnership. We are focusing on basketball, with one collective goal in mind: building a lasting franchise to bring a championship to Brooklyn.”

When asked at Media Day on Sept. 26 by ESPN’s Nick Friedell if he is surprised that he is still with the Nets, Durant said, “No.”

“I know that I’m that good that you’re not going to give me away,” Durant added. “That’s one thing I did appreciate about Sean and Joe. It’s like, ‘You’re too great for us to give you away.’ Just that easy. That simple. So, I get that. I know who I am.”

When asked about Durant and what transpired this summer by ESPN’s Malika Andrews, host of “NBA Today,” Nash said that the two just needed to talk. That the two heard each other out and that the air was clear. That the conversation was not very long and that both of them were able to address how they were feeling.

“I think the bottom line is we were all hurt,” Coach Nash, whose 92-62 in the regular season his first two seasons as Nets head coach said. “We’ve gone through so much adversity and we had high expectations and then we continually having players getting taken off the table and always sub optimal about our Playoff chances and I think it wore us down. And I think everyone in the organization felt it and it manifested itself the way it did and we’ve gotten over it.” 

Irving had mulled over not opting into his $36.5 million extension but decided right before the start of free agency with no other real options to opt into the final year of his four-year, $137 million deal in late June.

At Media Day, Irving said of him opting into the last year of his deal and Durant wanting to be traded, “acquired.”

“I don’t know what to think about it. But because there’s a trust that we have within each other, I just ultimately want to see him do well and be happy.”

When asked about how close he was to opting out and being with possibly the Los Angeles Lakers and reuniting with four-time Kia MVP LeBron James, Irving hesitated for a moment and said with a smile, “yeah.” That there we’re options, which there were but very few because he said there is a “stigma” about whether or not is will be available consistently and be committed to the team completely, which Irving thought was at times “unfair.”  

Even with all the drama, the Nets found a way to make some real solid additions to their roster in the offseason.

They acquired forward Royce O’Neale (7.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 45. 7 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.%) from the Jazz in late June in exchange for a 2023 First Round pick.

In July they re-signed Edwards on a two-year deal, that includes a player option for 2023-24. They also in early July agreed on a one-year, $1.8 million deal on forward T.J. Warren as well as his former Pacers teammate Edmund Sumner. In early September, the Nets signed veteran forward Markieff Morris to a one-year, $2.9 million deal. 

The Nets also in July retained Mills, who declined his $6.2 million player option in late June and signed a new two-year, $14.5 million deal. They re-signed Claxton 8.7 ppg, 5. 6 rpg, 67.4 FG% on two-year, $20 million deal.

O’Neale is a solid role player who brings a decent shooting stroke from three-point range having made 107 and 119 total triples the past two seasons with the Jazz.

Before two stress fractures in his left foot that limited him to a total of four games the past two seasons with the Pacers, Warren (15.5 ppg, 52.9 FG% 4 games in 2020-21 w/Pacers) was a top scoring option for the Pacers in the 2020 restart with the Pacers averaging 19.8 points on 53.6 percent from the floor and 40.3 percent from three-point range (91/226 3-Pt.) in 2019-20.

These two along with a Mills, Claxton, Curry, Harris, and Thomas give the Nets the pieces to hopefully compliment, Durant, Irving, and Simmons.

As important as Durant and Irving coming into this season with an undeterred focus, that is what the Nets hope for Simmons (14.3 ppg, 6.9 apg, 7.2 rpg, 1.6 spg, 55.7 FG% in 2020-21 w/76ers), whose time with the 76ers came to an abysmal conclusion last February when they finally found the right trade to get him out of dodge.

The eventual end for Simmons began with his poor play in the 2021 Playoffs, especially in the East Semis when he passed up on a wide-open dunk because he did not want to go to the foul line.

In August 2021, the Two-time All-Defensive selection (2020 & 2021) asked to be trade, nothing happened. He reported to 76ers training camp in middle of October 2021. He did not take part in practice because of back problems. In November 2021, he was fined over $350,000 for missing the season opener versus the Pistons. He eventually agreed to a meeting with 76ers mental health experts. He was fined again for skipping out on the 76ers six-game West Coast road trip. He then as mentioned earlier was dealt to the Nets at Feb. 10 trade deadline for Harden. He never played a game because of mental health issues and back surgery.  

Before what has transpired this past year-plus, Simmons, a 2020 All-NBA Third Team selection was one of the bright stars in the NBA coming in as the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 NBA Draft. He made up for missing his initial rookie season because of injury and would go on to win Kia Rookie of the Year in 2017-18  and earn three All-Star selections.

Simmons, whose averaged 15.9 points 7.7 assists and 8.1 boards in four years with 76ers said at Media Day after having back surgery in April, “I’m ready to go.”  

He has a reputation of being a great ball handler with exceptional court vision and being able to guard all five positions on the hardwood. His struggles and unwillingness to shoot have been well documented as well as his poor foul shooting.

Ben Simmons’ Remaining Contract
2022-23: $35.4 million
2023-24: $37.8 million
2024-25: $40.3 million

That said, Simmons, who registered 32 career triple-doubles in his first four NBA seasons bring a lot of intangibles to the table that can be very valuable to the Nets if he is engaged and healthy both mentally and physically. The Nets are going to need that if they want to get anywhere close to being a contender to represent the Eastern Conference in The Finals this spring.

“I think he’s the point guard. But he can be the center defensively for as well,” Coach Nash said to Andrews about Simmons’ role with the Nets. “He can all be a great screener. Can play out of the short role.”

So, Ben’s so versatile, you know He’s going to have the ball in hi hands a lot. He’s going to make plays for his teammates. But there’s definitely lineups where he’s at the 5 [spot] defensively.  

The Brooklyn Nets experienced a season of self-destruction unlike any seen the NBA in recent memory. Their star floor general refused to apply to New York City’s vaccine mandate. Their supernova scorer had a knee injury that shelved him and the team struggled in his absence. He also asked to be traded and even demanded that his coach and GM get axed. The player that came over in the deal for the member of their “Core 3” did not even play a season ago.

The Nets enter this season with a starting lineup that could consists of three perennial All-Star in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons. Two of those stars in Durant and Irving have championship hardware as well. That quintet could include one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history in Seth Curry and a solid center Nic Claxton.

They have a group of role players in Royce O’Neale, T.J. Warren, Markieff Morris, Patty Mills, Joe Harris, and Cam Thomas that can be one of the top scoring reserve units in the NBA.   

If this team is right both physically and mentally, they could win the whole thing. They can also fall apart and struggle just to make in the East Playoffs.

The Nets have a lot to prove and hopefully they remain healthy and consistent enough to display it.

“So, for us it’s perseverance. We’ve had two seasons full of adversity. We have to accept that,” Coach Nash said to Andrews about how things have gone the last two years.

“We can’t let that make us scared or afraid. We have to stay together and stick with it and show that we have the resolve to weather that.”

“It’s going to be difficult. So, we just have to continue to have the confidence and perseverance and do that together.”

Best Case Scenario: The Nets remain healthy and a Top 3 Seed in the Eastern Conference. Durant returns to being a leading candidate for Kia MVP. Kyrie Irving has more headlines about his play on the court. The Nets are a top three-point shooting team with the return of Harris alongside Curry, O’Neale, Mills, and Warren. The Nets reach at least the Eastern Conference Finals and possibly The Finals. Harden leads the NBA in assists per game and is in the Top 5 in triple-doubles.

Worst Case Scenario: The Nets battled injuries again, particularly Durant. Irving misses time either because of injury or his mental state is not with the Nets. The Nets have to make the Playoffs through the Play-In again.   

Grade: A

Charlotte Hornets: 43-39 (3^rd Southeast Division; missed the playoffs; 22-19 at home, 21-20 on the road); Lost in the Play-In Tournament (132-103) Apr. 13 at the Atlanta Hawks.

-115.3 ppg-4^th; opp. ppg: 114.9-25^th; 44.6 rpg-12^th     

Behind their high-octane offense, the Charlotte Hornets in 2021-22 were positioned to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016, currently the owners of the longest Playoff drought in Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, their inability to consistently defend got in the way of their playoff dreams as they went down in flames for the second straight season in the Play-In Tournament. In the offseason, their head coach got handed his walking paper. Their top scorer is dealing with domestic issues. They brought back a familiar face to be their new sideline leader. Also, their All-Star will miss the start of the season due to injury. As the Hornets enter 2022-232, the goal is to be a balance team both offensively and defensively and make the Playoffs outright.

When you saw the Hornets in 2021-22, you tuned in to see an exciting, high-octane brand of basketball at the offensive end that had you jumping out of your seat if you saw them person or if watch them on television or mobile device.

They were No. 5 in the NBA in three-point percentage (36.5 percent) and three-pointers made (13.9) on the sixth most threes (38.2).  No. 2 in fastbreak points (16.3); No. 3 in the league in 2021-22 in paint points (51.4); and points off turnovers (18.6).

When the Hornets scored 110 points or more, they went 30-17. That included a 23-9 mark when they scored 120 or more; 9-1 when they scored 130 or more; 5-1 when they scored 140 or more.

When the Hornets outshot their opponent by three-point percentage, they were 31-7 in 2021-22 and just 12-31 when the opponent outshot the Hornets by 3-Pt.%.

The two pillars of the Hornets high-octane offense were Miles Bridges (20.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 49.1 FG%, 33.1 3-Pt.%),who established career-highs across the board and reigning Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball (20.1 ppg, 7.6 apg-9^th, 6.7 rpg, 1.6 spg) continued to show that his star is only getting brighter and brighter.

Bridges a season ago scored 20 points or more 44 times after scoring 20 or more 24 times total his first three seasons. That also included nine 30-plus point games, tripling what he had his first three seasons. He also had a career-high 15 double-doubles after registering 11 double-doubles the previous season.

Bridges scored a career-high 38 points with 12 rebounds and five assists on 11/20 from the field and 5/9 from three in the 97-87 win by the Hornets Jan. 17 at Knicks.

His minutes increased by a plus 6.2 (29.3-35.5), which led to an increase his scoring average by 7.5 points (12.7-20.2); and his assists average by 1.6 (2.2-3.8).

A big reason Bridges scoring average rose is he became a better three-point shooter making a total of 154, going 154/465 from three in 2021-22. He made 65 triples in 2018-19. Increased that to 99 made threes in 2019-20; and 116 made threes in 2020-21.

As a rookie in 2020-21, Ball showed a lot of flash and the ability to make the spectacular play, especially in the open floor whether it was pulling up for a three or making a spectacular pass to a team for a highlight dunk in the open court or in the half court off a great cut.

In his sophomore season in the league, Ball added some substance to go along with the spectacular and that led to 23 double-doubles and five triple-doubles, earning his first of many All-Star nods. He registered 60 games with five-plus assists and zero turnovers.

Most Triple-Doubles Before Age 21 NBA History
Luka Doncic (DAL) 21
Earvin “Magic” Johnson 7
LeBron James (LAL) 5 w/Cavaliers
LaMelo Ball (CHA) 6

Youngest Players To Earn Their First All-Star Selection NBA History
Kobe Bryant 19 years, 69 days
LeBron James (LAL) 20 years, 52 days w/Cavaliers
Earvin “Magic” Johnson 20 years 173 days
LaMelo Ball (CHA) 20 years 182 days

He had 25 games scoring 20 more, including in nine of the final 11 games of 2021-22. That also included nine games with 30-plus points.

In the Hornets 126-123 overtime loss at the Lakers, Ball, California native had 25 points, 11 assists, and a career-high 16 rebounds, becoming at age 20 the youngest player in NBA history to have a 25/15/10 (points/rebounds/assists) game.

On Dec. 1, 2021, a 127-125 loss by the Hornets at the Bucks, Ball had a career-high 36 points with nine assists and five boards on 12/22 shooting, including a career-high eight made threes, going 8/12 from three.

With Ball at the wheel of the Hornets offense, they registered 28 games with 30 more assists in 2021-22. Which included an NBA season-high tying 41 assists in the Hornets Mar. 11 142-120 win at the Pelicans.

Games Where A Team Registered 40 Or More Assists In 2021-22        
Grizzlies 41 assists 141-114 victory Apr. 9 versus Pelicans
Hornets 41 Assists 142-120 victory Mar. 11 at Pelicans
Grizzlies 41 Assists 152-79 victory Dec. 2, 2021 versus Thunder
Suns 40 Assists 132-105 victory Dec. 12, 2021 versus Magic

Two other key offensive cogs in the Hornets offensive attack, especially from three-point range a season ago were Terry Rozier (19.3 ppg, 4.5 apg-career-high, 44 FG%, 37.4 3-Pt.%) and Kelly Oubre, Jr. (15.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 44.0 FG%, 34.5 3-Pt.%).

Last season, Rozier made 222 total threes, tied his mark from 2020-21 and tied the fifth most made threes in a single-season in Hornets history. Ball was right behind him with 220 made threes in 2021-22, the seven most in franchise history. At the 10^th spot on this list was Oubre, Jr., who made 191 total threes in 2021-22.

The Hornets also got contributions off the bench from Cody Martin (7.7 ppg, 48.2 FG%, 38.4 3-Pt.%), who made a career-high 61 threes, going 61/159 from distance last season and Jaden McDaniels (6.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 48.4 FG%, 38.0 3-Pt.%), who missed 19 out of 20 games (Jan. 23-Mar. 14) with left ankle injury.

Martin and McDaniels contribution became even more important late in the season because for the second straight season All-Star Gordon Hayward (15.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, 45.9 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.%) missed significant time because of injury.

The Hornets prized free agent two seasons back has over the past two seasons missed a total of 28 and 33 games respectably.

When Hayward was in the lineup, the Hornets were 50-43 (.538 win%) and were 26-35 (.426 win%) without him.

Most Made Threes In A Season In Hornets History
Kemba Walker       260   2018-19
Jason Richardson  243   2007-08
Kemba Walker       240   2016-17
Kemba Walker       231   2017-18
Terry Rozier           222   2021-22
Terry Rozier           222   2020-21
LaMelo Ball            220   2019-20
Devonte Graham   218   2019-20
Glen Rice                207   1996-97
Kelly Oubre, Jr.     191    2021-22

In the Hornets 140-111 victory Jan. 5 versus the Pistons, Oubre, Jr. had 32 points and six boards on 10/16 from the field, including 9/14 from three-point range, scoring 24 of those 00032 points in the fourth quarter on 8/9 from three. He fell one made three shy of tying Warriors Klay Thompson’s record of nine made threes that he had in he third quarter in a game in 2015.

Oubre, Jr. brought his hot stroke towards the close of January when he scored a career-high 39 points on 12/18 shooting, including going 10/15 from three in the Hornets 158-126 victory at the Pacers. The 10 made threes by Oubre, Jr. were a new career-high and tied a single-game franchise record for points by a reserve.

Most Total Made Three-Pointers By Reserve Hornets History
Kelly Oubre, Jr. 191   2021-22
Dell Curry          154   1994-95
Dell Curry          152   1993-94

The Hornets rode their high-octane offense to a 22-19 mark, which was the first time they were three games over .500 since 2000-01 season. They registered in this early portion of the season five three-plus game winning streaks, including two separate five-game winning streaks (Nov. 10-20, 2021 and Mar. 11-23, 2022). In the previous two seasons, the Hornets had seven total three-plus game winning streaks.

Best Records NBA Dec. 26, 2021-Jan. 23, 2022
Grizzlies: 13-3      76ers: 11-3 Hornets: 10-4
Mavericks: 12-3    Suns: 10-3

Last season, the Hornets produced perhaps the four most productive offensive games in their history.

In their aforementioned 158-126 in Jan. 26 at the Pacers, Hornets scored a single-game franchise record with 158 points. They outscored the Pacers 69-64 in bench points and scored 30 points off 15 Pacers turnovers. They shot 58.1 percent from the floor (54/93 FGs) and tied a single-game franchise record with 24 made threes (24/45 3-Pt.: 53.3 3-Pt.%).  Scored 42 points in third on 14/21 shooting, going 5/11 from three with eight assists and five turnovers. They followed that up with 45 points in the fourth quarter on 16/28 shooting, including 10/15 from three with 13 assists and just two turnovers.

In the Hornets 141-119 victory at the Pistons Feb. 11, Hornets outscored them 43-26 in the second quarter to lead 79-55 at half and led by as many as 28. They shot 55.7 percent (54/97 FGs), including 18/42 from three (42.9 3-Pt.%); outscored them 70-52 in paint; scored 24 points off 18 Pistons turnovers, with 13 of them on steals and had 36 assists.

In the Hornets 142-120 win at the Pelicans Mar. 11, they blew the game open outscoring the home team 42-27 in third quarter. They shot 59.8 percent in the win (52/87 FGs) and 22/47 from three. Scored 24 points off 17 Pelicans miscues, with 11 coming on steals. Registered 26 fastbreak points and had 41 assists. Ball in that win had 17 points, nine assists and six boards as he reached 2,000 points, 700 assists and 700 rebounds for his career.

In the Hornets 133-117 victory Apr. 8 at the Bulls, they began the game making their first 11 shots, the most by a team to start a game in 2021-22, which included going 4/4 from three. They shot 60.5 percent for the game (52/86 FGs) and 19/40 from three with 34 assists; 23 fastbreak points and outscored the Bulls 62-48 in the paint.

As great as the Hornets were offensively, they really struggled defensively. While they were tied with the Utah Jazz for No. 11 in steals (4.9), they were ranking 20^th in opponent’s shooting (46.6 percent); 23^rd in opponent’s three-point percentage (36.2 percent); 20^th in opponent’s paint point (48.1); and 29^th in opponent’s second chance points (15.0).

Outside of Mason Plumlee (6.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 64.1 FG%) who had 25 games with 10 or more rebounds and totaled seven double-doubles, the Hornets lacked any kind of real size in the pivot. P.J. Washington (10.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 47.0 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%) while he has played center at times in his career so far with the Hornets is more of a stretch power forward who likes to shoot and use his quickness to take people off the dribble, especially from the top of key.

The Hornets tried to fix their issues in the pivot with the acquisition of Montrezl Harrell from the Wizards at the Feb. 10 trade deadline. But that did not really help matters either.

The Hornets defensive issues really exposed themselves in an early lost last season at the Rockets (146-143) on Nov. 27, 2021, where they allowed their young inexperienced opponent to shoot 53.7 percent from the field, including going 23/49 from three-point range, with 36 assists on 51 made shots and were outscored 54-48 in the paint.

In consecutive losses in the final days of the regular season, the Hornets lost 144-114 at the 76ers Apr. 2 and 144-115 at the Heat three days later.

The 76ers shot a season-high 60.9 percent (53/87 FGs) on their way to a season-high 144 points. Made a franchise record 21 triples going 21/43 from three-point range (48.8 3-Pt.%). Outscored the Hornets 47-27 in the second quarter and 41-34 in the fourth quarter.

In the loss at the Heat, Hornets were outscored 41-28 in the second quarter and 42-18 in the fourth quarter. Heat shot 57.1 percent (48/84) from the floor, including 23/42 from three. Outrebounded Hornets 41-31 and scored 22 points off 15 Hornets turnovers, with 15 of them being on steals. 

Due to that poorest defense, the Hornets after being six games above .500 at 28-22 suffered a five-game losing streak going 4-13 their next 17 games to fall to 32-35, including posting a 2-10 mark at home, which consisted of seven straight home losses from Jan. 20-Feb. 25).

Unlike last season when the Hornets went 8-16 down the stretch, that included a five-game losing streak, the Hornets closed 2021-22 with an 11-4 mark, that included a five-game winning streak from Mar. 11-23.    

The Hornets defense woes bore out again in the Play-In Tournament in their 132-103 loss at the Hawks Apr. 13 on ESPN, just like in their 144-117 loss in the Play-In Tournament at the Pacers May 18, 2021 on TNT.

Hornets were outscored 72-51 in second half, including 42-24 in the third quarter. They shot for the game 37.8 percent (34/90 FGs) and 13/41 from the three-point and were outrebounded 54-41 and outscored in the paint 54-40 and gave up 22 points off 14 Heat turnovers.

Ball led the way with 26 points, eight assists and five boards on 8/10 from the foul line but shot just 7/25 from the field and 4/14 from three.

The loss was not the only ugly part for the Hornets. Bridges who was ejected in the fourth quarter after two quick technical fouls for being adamant about a goaltending call that was not made. As he left the court, Bridges threw his mouthpiece into the crowd and apparently struck a young woman.

In an unexpected move, the Hornets gave the axe to head coach James Borrego, who was hired on May 10, 2018 and agreed to a multi-year extension in August 2021.

The Hornets under Coach Borrego increased their win total over the last three seasons from 23, 33, to 43.

Coach Borrego, according to the Elias Sports Bureau became the first coach in NBA history to be fired after increasing his team’s win total by double-digits in consecutive seasons.

In this June’s draft, the Hornets traded the No. 13 pick in center Jalen Duran out of Memphis University in a three-team deal to the Pistons and acquired from the Knicks a 2023 First-Round pick (via Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Knicks); 2023 Second-Round picks (via Knicks; Jazz; and most favorable of Mavericks; and 2024 Second Round pick.

With the No. 15 pick, the Hornets selected center Mark Williams out of Duke University (11.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.8 bpg).

Williams, 20 is very raw offensively, he brings two major skills that the Hornets really need: interior defense and rebounding. The 2021-22 Naismith Finalists for Defensive Player of the Year brings great ability to protect the rim. Is an excellent offensive rebounder. Can change shots at the rim with his long reach

Offensively, Williams is an underrated passer and an excellent rim runner, who can make free throws at a 70-plus percent clip.

“My greatest skill is attacking the rim and just being that rock for the team,” Williams said of his main strengths as a basketball player.

The pro game should not be too big for him because of the basketball family ties he has in Washington Mystics center Elizabeth Williams, who was the No. 4 overall pick in 2015 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun, who was a four-time All-American at Duke.  

How he and Plumlee play will be the key factor in how improved the Hornets will be defensively or not.

“I think its most helpful to talk through each game, particular players, and matchups,” Plumlee said at Media Day about how he can help Williams pick up the NBA game quickly when guarding certain guys. “Just night to night giving kind giving him what a guy’s A or B move is and try to take him off that.”  

In free agency, the Hornets re-signed Cody Martin to a four-year, $32 million deal, which made him the first Second Round pick in team history to re-signed after his rookie deal.

In their search for a new head coach, the Hornets thought they found their man in Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson in the middle of June as they agreed to a four-year deal. But Atkinson got cold feet and decided to remain with the Warriors.

The Hornets then turned to a familiar face in Steve Clifford, to be their head coach for a second time. Only Allan Bristow, who coached the Hornets from 1991-96 has registered more head coaching victories at 207 (207-203 record) record than Clifford, who compiled a 196-214 record from 2013-18 with the Bobcats/Hornets making Playoffs in 2014 and 2016. He was fired after the 2017-18 season after the team finished 36-46 for a second straight season. He was the head coach of the Orlando Magic 2018-2021, compiling a 96-131 record, making the Playoffs in 2019 and 2020.

“I’m super excited to be here,” Coach Clifford said about being back with Hornets at Media Day on Sept. 26. “Excited about the possibilities of the group. Happy with what they’ve done over summer months into September. We’ve definitely made some progress…Just anxious to get started

Under Coach Clifford, the Hornets made the Playoffs twice (2014 and 2016) and led them to a 48-34 mark in 2015-16.

In Coach Clifford’s first stint with the Hornets, they were ranked in the Top 12 defensively. He also in his first stint with the Hornets built a solid connection with then starting guard in three-time All-Star Kemba Walker and hopes to do the same with Ball.

So far, Ball and Coach Clifford have built a great repour with one another, saying to NBATV’s Taylor Rooks on Media Day that he “already love to dude.”

“He’s straight to the point. Straight forward. Going to tell you how it is. So, you really can’t get mad at that or anything,” Ball added. “So, it’s all respect.”

Ball will miss at least the first couple of games of this season after spraining his ankle in a preseason contest on Oct. 10.  

The main issue for the Hornets entering the season is the status of Bridges who on the eve of free agency allegedly had a violent altercation with the mother of his two children that resulted in Bridges being charged with three felony domestic violence charges. One felony count of injuring a child’s parent and two other counts of child abuse, which were announced by L.A. County District Attorney George Gascon.

Bridges, who was arrested on June 24 by the Los Angeles Police Department and released on $130,000 bond.

The hopes of inking Bridges, a restricted free agent to a long-term deal expected in the nine figures went are in limbo and possibly out the window and all other potential suitors didn’t even bother extending an offer sheet to Bridges. Also, Bridges qualifying offer of one-year, which expires Oct. 1 but can be extended through Mar. 1 still allows the Hornets to match or negotiate their won deal pending the legal outcomes of Bridges case, which was delayed until Sept. 29.

“Just me knowing Miles, I know he’s handling the situation the best way he can. So, just send him my prayers,” Rozier said at Hornets Media Day on Sept. 27 about Bridges.

Coach Clifford said of Bridges being out is a moment to show the necessity to be “adaptable” in how you think. That you have a Plan B and Plan C when it comes to the lineups that can be used.

“I think it’s you just get used to these are the 11 guys who are good tonight and what gives us the best chance to win with these 11 guys,” Clifford added about what has to happen without Bridges on the court.

This also opens up an opportunity for Hayward to have a major role in hopefully the Hornets success this season if again he can stay healthy. 

Hayward did say at Media Day that he “feels great” and that the nice part about having an extended offseason is that you can train as much as you want.

“I feel like I was rehabbing for probable half of it and I then I was able to train the way I want to train,” Hayward said about his health. “Excited about Coach Cliff and our team this year.”  

“I think we should just focus on getting better as a team. Improving each day, each week and hopefully by the end of it we’re playing our best basketball and let the chips fall where they may.”

The Hornets in the early part of last season looked like a team on the rise led by LaMelo Ball, who was the only player in franchise history to average 20-plus points and 7.5-plus assists in a season and Miles Bridges as the lynchpins. With one half of that duo’s future in limbo pending his legal situation, the Hornets prospects of ending this six-year Playoff drought of six straight seasons is not looking good right now.

They got even tougher is out to start this season after he sprained his ankle in a preseason game on Apr. 10

The Hornets as mentioned have not made the Playoffs since 2016. They have not won a Playoff series winning their First Round series (a five-game tilt) 3-1 over the Orlando Magic. How long has that been, this blogger was in his final year at Nassau Community College in Garden City, NY. They have not had back-to-back winning seasons in a decade.

If the Hornets have any hopes of ending their six-year Playoff drought, the longest currently in the Eastern Conference, they have to give better effort at the defensive end, especially from P.J. Washington, Mason Plumlee, and Mark Williams.

With Coach Clifford back on their sidelines, the Hornets will have their full focus at the defensive end and hopefully will be more well-rounded offensively.

They still have Ball in the fold along with Terry Rozier, Kelly Oubre, Jr., and Gordon Hayward, if he remains healthy.

“I feel like I haven’t really proved anything for real,” Ball, 21 said to Rooks when asked what he has proven so far in the early part of his NBA career. “I’ve just been hooping, honestly.”

“Hopefully this year this is when we can start proving stuff. Getting to the Playoffs. That when it matters when teams get into the Playoffs and start winning and stuff. So, that’s really proving something. So, I feel like I really did nothing yet.”  

“We all got to step up as a team and individually. Everybody need to bring what they know they can bring and little more.”

Coach Clifford echoed those same feelings saying of his team entering this season, “It’s a young roster with a lot of potential. I think there’s the opportunity here to do something exceptional.”

Best Case Scenario: The Hornets are competing for the bottom three Playoff spots in East East. Ball makes the All-Star team again and is in the running for an All-NBA spot. The defense is much improved.  

Worst Case Scenario: The Hornets are in the Play-In Tournament again, and possibly get blown out again. Hayward again miss significant time because of injury. The defense remains a work in progress.

Grade: D.

Chicago Bulls: 46-36 (3^rd Central Division; missed the playoffs; 27-14 at home, 19-22 on the road); Lost No. 3 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 in East Quarterfinals.

-111.6 ppg-13^th; opp. ppg: 112.0-16^th; 42.3 rpg-28^th     

After four straight seasons with no postseason hoops, the Chicago Bulls front office was aggressive in getting the necessary personnel to bring playoff basketball back to the “Windy City.” It worked as the Bulls were in the top two in the East at the All-Star break. Injuries, especially to two key members of their backcourt put a halt on all that success and in the Playoffs were no match for the then defending champs. The Bulls will start 2022-23 dealing with injury issues as they will be without their starting lead guard. They still have their All-Star wings and they signed a veteran guard as a place holder until their starting lead guard returns. With the core intact, which included the re-signing of their two-time All-Star shooting guard, the goal for the Bulls in 2021-22 is to prove what they did the first half of last season was not fluke. 

The Bulls front office of General Manager Arturas Karnisovas and Vice President Marc Eversley last offseason were aggressive in free agency and trade market to bring in guys that were going to get the Bulls back to the playoffs, which they did.

Via a sign-and-trade, the first Bulls move was bringing in All-Star swingman DeMar DeRozan (27.9 ppg-5^th NBA, 5.2 rpg, 4.9 apg, 50.4 FG%, 35.2 3-Pt.%), who set career-highs in points per game, field goal percentage, three-point percentage and field goal attempts 20.2 season in earning All-NBA Second Team for the second time in his career (2018, 2022) and his third All-NBA selection overall (Third Team in 2017) and his fifth All-Star selection (2014, 2016-28 w/Raptors, and 2022).

How good was DeRozan for head coach Billy Donovan’s squad, he registered 64 20-plus point games a season ago, which included 28 games scoring 30 or more as well as five games with 40 points or more. 

One of those spectacular scoring nights consisted of a season-high of 50 points he registered in the Bulls 135-130 overtime win versus the Los Angeles Clippers on Mar. 31.

DeRozan joined Hall of Famer and six-time champion with the Bulls Michael Jordan (30 times), now Heat All-Star Jimmy Butler (twice), Chet Walker, Jamal Crawford, his teammate Zach LaVine as the players in team history to score 50 in a game.

DeRozan was really special in February when he averaged 34.7 points, 6.2 boards, and 5.2 assists on 55.3 percent from the floor and 87.7 percent from the charity stripe on 8.8 attempts.

In February, DeRozan registered 10 straight games with 30-plus points (Feb. 4-26), tying Jordan (Dec. 25, 1990-Jan.14, 1991). Jordan though remains the Bulls all-time leader in this department with 11 straight games scoring 30 or more (Feb. 13-Mar. 4, 1987).

Among DeRozan’s best games during that 10-game run was his performance of 45 points with nine rebounds, and seven assists on 18/30 shooting and 9/11 at the foul line in the Bulls 119-108 victory loss versus 76ers. In their 120-109 victory Feb. 14 versus Spurs, DeRozan had 40 points on 16/24 shooting with seven assists.

DeRozan 10-Game run of 30-plus points also included nine consecutive games with 35 points or more from Feb. 4-22.

Consecutive 35-Plus Point Games In Bulls History
Michael Jordan (1986)  10
DeMar DeRozan (2022)  9
Michael Jordan (1988)   7
Michael Jordan (1987)   5
Michael Jordan (1996)   5

Players With Eight Straight Games Scoring 35-Plus Points
Wilt Chamberlin: 8 times
James Harden (PHI): 3 times
Elgin Baylor, Michael Jordan, LeBron James (LAL),
and DeMar DeRozan: 1 each

DeRozan was really special in the fourth quarter in 2021-22 where he total a league-leading 612 points in the final period while also leading the league in points per game in the fourth period at 8.3.

Two fourth quarter in specific stand out in 2021-22 for DeRozan. How he ended 2021 by draining a one-legged 28-foot three at the final buzzer on New Year’s Eve 2021 as the Bulls took down the Pacers 108-106. Just a little over 24 hours later, DeRozan kicked off 2022 in style breaking the hearts of those in the nation’s capital draining a triple at the final horn again to help the Bulls sink the Wizards 120-1199 on Jan. 1.

DeRozan in 2021-22 led the league with 157 points in clutch situations, just one point behind the league leader in that department in 76er Joel Emind

The great play of DeRozan gave now two-time All-Star Zach LaVine (24.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 47.6 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.%) a legitimate top scorer that can take the pressure off him.

It worked as LaVine and DeRozan combined for a league-best 52.3 points.

LaVine in 2021-22 registered 56 20-plus point games in 2021-22, which ranked ninth in the NBA. This included 17 games with 30-plus points. 

Teammates To Score 25-Plus Points In A Game The Most 2021-22
Zach LaVine/DeMar DeRozan (CHI) 25 times
Karl-Anthony Towns/Anthony Edwards (MIN) 13 times
Kevin Durant/James Harden (BKN) seven times
Stephen Curry/Andrew Wiggins (GS) five times

Most Consecutive 20-Plus Point Games By A Bulls Duo In A Season
DeMar DeRozan/Zach LaVine 2021 seven times
Michael Jordan/Scottie Pippen 1992 seven times
Michael Jordan/Orland Woolridge 1984 six times
Chet Walker/Clem Haskins 1970 six times

The play of LaVine and DeRozan was a big reason why the Bulls were a top the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break at 38-21 right in lock step with the Miami Heat.

They were especially dominant at home during the early part of last season, producing winning at the United Center of nine straight (Nov. 29-2021-Jan. 12); five straight wins (Feb. 11-24); and a four straight wins (Jan. 19-Feb. 1).

During the Bulls nine-game home winning streak, they averaged 122.8 points per game on 52 percent from the field; averaged 40.3 boards; 24.8 assists and 31.3 bench points.

The Bulls began last season 23-6 when their reserves outscored the second unit of the opposition. But were just 5-6 after that.   

That was in large part to how productive they were at the offensive end ranking No. 3 in field goal percentage (48.0%), 58.3 percent in the paint (9^th NBA), and 43.6 percent from mid-range (4^th NBA).

While they ranked in the bottom part of the NBA in threes attempted at 30^th (28.8) and 29^th in makes from distance (10.6), the Bulls were No. 4 in three-point percentage (36.9%).

They also ranked No. 3 in “The Association” in foul shooting at 81.3 percent ranking in the middle of the pact at getting to the line at No. 17 at 21.5 attempts.

One player that has benefited from DeRozan and LaVine’s ability to score from the perimeter has been Nikola Vucevic (17.6 points, 11.0 rpg-8^th NBA, 47.3 FG%), whose ability to score inside and out has added another dimension to the Bulls offense since he was acquired from the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline the previous season.

What got the Bulls to a top of the East in the first half of last season was the play of the rest of the cast in Lonzo Ball (13.0 ppg, 5.1 apg, 5.4 rpg, 1.8 spg, 42.3 3-Pt.%), Alex Caruso (7.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.0 apg), and surprising and Illinois native rookie Ayo Dosunmu (8.8 ppg, 3.3 apg, 52.0 FG%, 37.6 3-Pt.%). 

Ball and Caruso when they were healthy a season ago gave the Bulls a defensive presence on the perimeter that made them respectable at that end of the hardwood. Unfortunately for the Bulls, both guards had their injury issues and that led to the Bulls slide in the second half of last season.

Ball missed the last 41 games of 2021-22 after having left knee surgery, which still has not heeled (more on that later) and missed 47 games in total. Bulll were 22-13 with Ball I the lineup and 14-23 without him.

Caruso also missed 41 games last season with a left foot sprain, broken wrist, and a bruised lower back.

Another key Bull that spent time on the shelf last season was former First-Round pick in 2020 Patrick Williams (9.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 52.9 FG%), who missed 65 games after dislocating his wrist in a game versus the Knicks.

The Bulls were also without guard Coby White (12.7 ppg, 38.5 3-Pt.%) the first 13 games of 2021-22 due to offseason shoulder surgery.  

Those injuries forced Coach Donovan to play the likes of Javonte Green, Derrick Jones, Jr. and Dosunmu and they more than held their own when on the hardwood.

Despite their efforts, the Bulls struggled post All-Star going 8-15, registering losing streaks of five in a row (Feb. 26-Mar. 9), three straight (Mar. 14-18) and four straight (Apr. 2-8).

After a strong to 2021-22 at home, the Bulls were just 3-6 at home their final nine home games, dropping their final four games at United Center.

The Bulls especially struggled in 2021-22 against the Top four teams in each conference, compiling a 1-14 mark against the Heat (0-4), Celtics (1-2), Bucks (0-4), and 76ers (0-4) in the East and a 1-7 mark against the Phoenix Suns (0-2), Memphis Grizzlies (0-2), Golden State Warriors (0-2), and Dallas Mavericks (1-1) for a 2-21 mark, that included a 1-16 record against the top three teams in both conferences.

The Bulls lock horns with one of those Top 3 squads in the East and it was the Bucks who took down their cross-state rivals 4-1 in their First-Round tilt.

They lost Game 1 93-86 Apr. 17 TNT, shooting a season-low 32.3 percent from the floor (32/96 FGs), including 7/37 from three, scoring just 15 points in the fourth quarter on 6/28 from the floor and 1/12 on their triple tries.

Vucevic led the way with 24 points and 17 rebounds but was just 9/27 from the floor. LaVine in his playoff debut had 18 points and 10 boards, but also struggled shooting at 6/19, including 2/10 from three. DeRozan had 18 points, eight boards and six assists but shot just 6/25 for a season-low 24 percent. 

Most Points By A Player Before Playing In Playoffs All-Time
Tom Van Arsdale 14,232
Geoff Petrie 9,732
Zach LaVine: 9,466 w/Timberwolves and Bulls
George Thompson 8,114
Nate Williams 7,709

The Bulls found their shooting touch in Game 2 taking down the Bucks 114-110 Apr. 20 TNT, to square the series at 1-1, outscoring the Bulls 15-4 the final 3:30 of second quarter to lead 63-49 at half, outscoring the Bucks 34-21 in the period. They led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter before the Bucks responded with a 13-0 to cut the Bulls lead to three but never gave up the lead and made the plays down the stretch to win the game.

This was the Bulls first win at the Bucks since a 115-106 triumph Dec. 26, 2017

After shooting just 32.3 percent from the field in Game 1, the third worst in their postseason history, shot 49.4 percent from the floor in Game 2 (44/84 FGs). They were especially sharp from the floor in the fourth quarter going 10/24 shooting, including 4/8 from three compared to Game 1.

DeRozan led the way with a playoff career-high 41 points with seven assists on 16/31 shooting and 9/9 on his free throws. Vucevic had 24 points and 13 rebounds on 10/18 shooting, including 4/8 from three. LaVine had 20 points on 7/13 from the floor and ¾ from three. Williams chipped in with 10 points and nine boards.

First Half Summary              CHI                    MIL   
Game 2                                     51     FG%        47      
                                                8/14    3-Pt.        7/14
                                                 9/9     FTs          8/12
                                                  4       TOs           10
                                                 13 Pts Off TOs    2

First Half   DeRozan 17 points 6/12 FGs
Game 2       LaVine 14 points 2/3 3-Pt.
                    Vucevic 12 points, five rebounds 5/7 FGs

DeRozan registered the first 40-point game in the postseason by a Bulls player since now Knick Derrick Rose 2011. He is the fifth player in franchise playoff history to score 40-plus, joining Jordan (38 times), Rose, Ben Gordon, and Flynn Robinson.

The Bulls were taken apart at home dropping Game 3 111-81 Apr. 22 on ABC as they registered their largest margin of defeat at home in their postseason history.

Vucevic scored 19 points and six rebounds on 8/17 from the field, 3/9 from three-point range. LaVine had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. DeRozan had his fewest point in a playoff game since 2018 with the Raptors with 11 points with five boards on just 4/9 shooting.

DeRozan’s nine field goal attempts are the fewest for him in a game in his career (regular season or playoffs).

It did not get better in Game 4 as the Bucks rolled the Bulls again on their home floor 119-95 Apr. 24 ABC as they dropped both home games by a combined 54 points dropping their sixth straight home game dating back to the regular season.

In the opening half of Game 4, the Bulls were just 5/17 on their triples and had zero free throw attempts.

Caruso (concussion) took an inadvertent elbow late in first half of Game 3 from the Bucks Jevon Carter in attempting to get over a screen by Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bulls season concluded in Game 5 with a 116-100 loss at the Bucks Apr. 27 TNT, trailing by as many as 29 points in the first half and never mounting any threat.

They shot 42.4 percent (39/92 FGs), including 15/52 from three and just 7/11 at the foul line in dropping to 2-20 their last 22 meetings against the Bucks, including 1-16 in the regular season, which includes the 2021-22 campaign. The Bulls have also gone, counting this series 2-18 their last 20 games at the Bucks. 

Williams led the way with 23 points on 9/13 shooting, including 4/7 from three. Vucevic had 19 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and two blocks on 8/15 shooting, including 3/9 from three. White had 17 points making four threes and DeRozan, who went scoreless the first 26 minutes of Game 5 with just one field goal attempt in the opening period had 11 points, seven assists and three steals on 5/10 shooting.

Caruso (concussion) missed his second straight game, while LaVine (health and safety protocols) was also out.

Green and Dosumnu started in place of LaVine and Caruso but combined for just 11 points on 4/19 from the floor and 1/9 from three.

LaVine had 24 points, 13 assists, five rebounds on 8/18 shooting, but made just 2/6 from three. DeRozan had 23 points but was just 8/20 from the field and 0/5 from three. Williams in defeat had 20 points and 10 boards on 7/13 shooting, including 3/6 from three. Vucevic had 11 points and 10 boards but was just 5/14 shooting and 1/6 from three.

The main objective on the Bulls to do list during the 2022 Offseason was to re-sign LaVine, which they did officially on July 7 to a five-year, $215.2 million deal, with the fifth year of the deal being a player option.

The other objective was to have a backup to Vucevic and they found it signing All-Star center Andre Drummond (7.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg 57.0 FG% in 73 games w/76ers & Nets).

While Drummond is not the best rim protector that many teams want in their big men, he is a space eater on defense as well as one of the best rebounders in the game.

One other big thing that the Bulls wanted to do is have some insurance in case Ball either went down because of injury or is unavailable to start this season.

In early July, the Bulls signed veteran All-Star guard Goran Dragic (7.5 ppg, 4.1 apg in 21 games w/Raptors & Nets).

In the draft they selected Dalen Terry with the No. 18 pick out of University of Arizona.

Those latter additions by the Bulls front office became even more paramount as Ball had arthroscopic surgery on Sept. 28 to remove debris from his left knee with the hope that he can be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks.

In a Zoom presser a day before his surgery, Ball said he had the surgery to see what the issue is that a recent MRI could not find.

“Literally I really can’t run or jump. So, it’s like a range from 30-60 degrees when my knee’s bent that I like to have no force and I can’t like catch myself,” Ball said of how bad his knee is. “So, until I can do those things, I can’t play.”

“This is definitely something that I’ve never dealt with. Even the doctors are a little surprised about it a little bit. But we’re all working together to figure this thing out.”

When the Bulls had Ball in the lineup, they were 27-13 in mid-January when he went down with what seemed like a minor knee issue but has turned to be very severe. Without Ball, the Bulls went 19-23 to close out 2021-22, going from No. 1 in the East to No. 6.

While the Bulls are better prepared to start this season without Ball, they are going to need him back and back playing at the level he was before getting hurt and being lost for the rest of the season.

“He wants to be out here more than anybody else,” LaVine said at Media Day about Ball. “No one wants to be injured and it’s tough to have people talk about it each and every day and when you’ll be back when not.”

“So, I just told him I said, ‘Make sure that you’re when you are because when you come back, we need you.’”

With the Eastern Conference so stacked, the Bulls understand entering this season if they want to make it back to the Playoffs, they are going to play their best game-in and game-out and they will need DeRozan and LaVine to lead them there.

“You put me in a room with the best, it’s going to bring out the best in me. And that’s the approach we’re going to have to take this whole season with” DeRozan said at Medi Day Sept. 26 about the season ahead for the Bulls in a stacked Eastern Conference.

“This is the toughest the Eastern Conference has been since I’ve been in the league. That makes it exciting…That’s what it’s all about. You want to compete at the highest level versus the best.”

Last season, the Chicago Bulls were the surprise of the league to many in how they were a top the Eastern Conference in the early portion. Injuries, poor defense in the second half of last season and their inability to win against the upper echelon squads of “The Association” did them in.

Improvement defensively, getting Lonzo Ball back healthy and having Patrick Williams take another step in being more consistent on both ends will really factor in if the Bulls will make it back to the postseason this spring.

The pressure is on and how DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine sounded at Media Day, Bulls are looking forward to the challenge.

“We’ve got to be able to crack through against those top teams,” DeRozan said about being able to win against the top squads in both Conference. “You have to be able to beat them because you’re going to face them in the postseason. We’re always very competitive and playing. But we’ve got to be able to beat those guys on a consistent basis.”

Best Case Scenario: The Bulls make the Playoffs in the middle part of East. LaVine and DeRozan in the running for All-NBA selections. Ball is able to come back and play to the level he did before getting hurt in 2021-22.

Worst Case Scenario: The Bulls have to make the Playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. Ball does not return to the level he did prior to knee surgery.  

Grade: B+

Cleveland Cavaliers: 44-38 (No. 3 Central Division; missed playoffs; 25-16at home, 19-22 on the road; Lost In Play-In Tournament (115-108) Apr. 13 at Brooklyn Nets on TNT; Lost In the Play-In Tournament (107-101) Apr. 15 versus Atlanta Hawks on ESPN.

-107.8 ppg-25^th; opp. ppg: 105.7-5^th; 44.2 rpg-15^th  

When the Cleveland Cavaliers had a certain four-time MVP on their roster, they not only made the Playoffs, but they were also in the mix of winning championship and did so seven seasons back. When he has not been on the roster over the close to last two decades, they were a lottery team. They took a major step of getting out of that shadow a season ago and the only reason they missed the Playoffs is because of injuries and their inexperience. Behind their first time All-Star floor general and staring big from a season ago, coupled with the addition of three-time All-Star to their young and growing nucleus, the goal for the Cavaliers is to end their four-year Playoff drought.

Last season, the Cavaliers won 44 games, their most victories without four-time Kia MVP, four-time NBA champion, and three-time Finals MVP LeBron James on the roster.

The Cavs last winning season without James on the roster was when then head coach Mike Fratello, now a color analyst for the Los Angeles Clippers of Bally Sports SO CAL and a roster that consisted of then perennial All-Star Shawn Kemp and rookies Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Derek Anderson, Cedric Henderson and now Grizzlies TV color analyst Brevin Knight for Bally Sports South led them to a 47-35 mark.

Cavaliers Seasons Without LeBron James On the Roster Prior to 2021-22
1998-2003 Five straight losing seasons
2010-2014 Four straight losing seasons
2018-2021 Three straight losing seasons

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s team entered December 2021 11-10 and were 20-16 to start 2022. An 11-4 mark in January, which included a five-game winning streak (Jan. 10-19) which occurred during their six-game West Coast trip where they went 5-1 signaled that something was brewing in “The Land.”

The signs of the Cavaliers progress came late November and early December 2021 when they produced a 3-0 mark on a three-game road trip (Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2021) where they won at the Mavericks (114-96); at the Heat (111-85) and at the Washington Wizards (116-101). It was just the second time in franchise history that the Cavs swept a three-game road trip where each opponent was .500 or better since they last did from Dec. 16-19, 1975.

The Cavs really got the attention of the league when they registered a season-high six-game winning streak (Dec. 8-21, 2021), which included 105-94 win versus the Heat and a 119-90 victory at the then defending NBA champion Bucks Dec. 18, 2021.

The Cavaliers the day after Christmas 2021 blew out the Toronto Raptors 144-99. The Cavaliers 45-point that night was their second largest margin of victory in franchise history in producing a season-best 144 points.

The Cavaliers at the All-Star break last season were 35-22, the No. 3 Seed in East, just below the No. 2 Seeded Bulls and top seeded Heat both at 38-21.

In total the Cavaliers produced six winning streaks of four-plus games a season ago.

The three players that were the headliners in the Cavaliers success last season, especially in the early going were first-time All-Stars in lead guard Darius Garland (21.7 ppg, 8.6 apg, 46.2 FG%, 38.3 3-Pt.%) and center Jarrett Allen (16.1 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 67.7 FG%) and Rookie of the Year candidate Evan Mobley (15.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg-T-7^th NBA, 50.8 FG%).

Garland’s whose breakout season also consisted of a career-high 29 double-doubles really assumed the reigns of being the team’s floor general when they lost Collin Sexton and offseason addition Ricky Rubio to season-ending injuries.

Sexton missed the final 71 games of 2021-22 after tearing the meniscus in his left knee in the Cavs 126-109 victory on Nov. 7, 2021 at the Knicks that required season-ending surgery. Rubio was lost for the season due to a torn left ACL in the Cavaliers 108-104 loss on Dec. 28, 2021 at the New Orleans Pelicans.

That put the ball in Garland’s hands, and he took his moment and ran with it registering more 20-point games (42) and 30-point games (seven) than in his first two NBA seasons total. He joined LeBron James as the second Cavs player in their history to average 20 ppg and eight assists per game for a season.

The Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Jan. 10-16 finished third in Kia Most Improved Player voting and joined the Hawks Trae Young as the only players a season ago to average at least 20 points and eight assists per contest on 45 percent or better from the field and 85 percent at the foul line. He was fourth in the league in point/assists double-doubles as well as fourth in 2021-22 with 19 games with at least 20 points and 10 assists. 

Garland His First Three NBA Seasons
2019-20: 12.3 ppg, 3.9 apg
2020-21: 17.4 ppg, 6.1 apg
2021-22: 21.7 ppg 8.6 apg

He scored 20 of his career-high 41 points in the fourth quarter to go along with 13 assists on 14/26 from the field and 4/9 from three in the Cavs 127-124 win at the Indiana Pacers on Mar. 8.

Garland had 26 point and career-high 19 assists on 10/22 from the field, including 4/8 from three-point land in the Cavs 125-109 loss Mar. 4 at 76ers. 

Registered his first career triple-double of 11 points, 10 rebounds, and then a career-high 15 assists in the Cavs 111-91 victory at the Jazz Jan. 12, becoming the fourth youngest player in team history with a triple-double behind LeBron James, Brad Daugherty, and Kyrie Irving

Those performances, especially in the early part of 2021-22 led to Garland earning his first All-Star selection and joined James, Kyrie Irving, and Brad Daugherty as the four players in franchise history to be named an All-Star at age 22 or younger.

Allen who the Cavaliers acquired from the Nets in a three-team deal that centered around former Houston Rocket James Harden registered a career-best 32 double-doubles, with the Cavaliers going 26-6 in those games and were 26-7 when Allen registered 10-plus rebounds, including 9-1 when Allen had 15-plus rebounds.

In the Cavaliers 102-101 win at the Hornets on Feb. 4, Allen had career-high 29 points and 22 rebounds, his third career 20/20 (points/rebound) game. He joined Cliff Robinson (four times), Andre Drummond (three times), Carlos Boozer (twice), Anderson Varejao, Shawn Kemp, Michael Cage, and Daugherty as the eight players in Cavaliers history with at least one 20/20 game. 

Allen last season also joined Drummond (2021) and Rick Roberson (1972) as the three players in franchise history to total 44-plus points and 39-plyus rebounds over a three-game span. He also joined Drummond, Varejao, Roberson, and Elmore Smith as the only players in Cavs history to total 59-plus points and 53-plus boards in a three-game span.

Alongside Allen was No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 Draft out of USC in Mobley, who shined in his rookie season leading, making the 2021-22 All-Rookie First Team.

He led all first-year player in rebounds and block shots per game last season as well as in double-doubles with 21. He registered 50 games of 10-plus points, five-plus boards, and one-plus block shots.

Cavaliers To Score 1,000-Plus Points In Their Rookie Season All-Time
Ron Harper (1986-87) 1,874 points
LeBron James (2003-04) 1,654 points
Collin Sexton (2018-19) 1,371 points
Brad Daugherty (1986-87) 1,253 points
John “Hot Rod” Williams (1986-87) 1,168 points
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (1997-98) 1,139 points
John Johnson (1970-71) 1,110 points
Evan Mobley (2021-22) 1,034 points

Most Total Blocks In A Season By A Cavaliers Rookie
John “Hot Rod” Williams (1986-87): 167
Roy Hinson (1983-84): 145
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (1997-98): 135
Evan Mobley (2021-22): 115

With Mobley in the lineup, the Cavaliers were 40-29 and without him, they were just 4-9.

Last season, there was speculation that the last player remaining from the Cavs 2016 title team in Kevin Love (13.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 39.2 3-Pt.%) would likely be traded either before or at the Feb. 10 trade deadline. He was not deal and was big factor off the bench for the Cavaliers as well as providing leadership to the young group.

Love a season ago registered 15 double-doubles, the 13^th time out of his first 14 seasons registering double-digit double-doubles. He made 187 threes (187/477 3-Pt.), the seven time in the last nine seasons making over 135 total triples and made over 100 threes in total in his first 14 NBA seasons.

Kevin Love’s NBA Ranks Amongst Reserves 2021-22
11 double-doubles: Tied 1^st NBA
173 total made threes: 2^nd NBA and most by a Cavaliers
reserves in a single season in their history
13.6 points: 6^th NBA
7.3 rpg: 7^th NBA
83.8 FT%: 6^th NBA

In the Cavaliers regular-season finale 133-115 win versus the Bucks on Apr. 10, Love had 32 points and 10 rebounds on 10/16 shooting and 8/11 from three becoming the first player in the 24-Second shot clock era (1954-55) with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes or fewer, according to Elias Sports Bureau.   

The commitment that Coach Bickerstaff and his team made to playing a super-sized front court led by Allen and Mobley led to a marked improvement at the defensive end of the floor.

In 2020-21, the Cavaliers were at the bottom of the league in opponent’s field goal percentage (48%-26^th); opponent’s three-point percentage (38%-28^th); and opponent’s assists per game (25.4-21^st). They flipped the script in a big way last season finishing No. 8 in opponent’s shooting percentage (45.2%); opponent’s three-point percentage (35.3-16^th); and opponent’s assists per game (24.1-12^th ).

In 2020-21, the Cavaliers held opponents under 100 points only 10 times. They held their opponent under the century mark in 14 of their first 32 games in 2021-22 and 26 times in total last season, second only to Celtics 30 times.

The Cavaliers were 14-0 in 2021-22 when they held an opponent to under 40 percent shooting.

With the losses of Sexton and Rubio, the Cavaliers needed to replace them and in a three-team deal with Lakers and Knicks on Jan. 3 acquired veteran guard and two-time NBA champion Rajon Rondo. In a deal with the Pacers on Feb. 7 acquired guard Caris LeVert (17.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg in 58 games w/Pacers & Cavaliers).

LeVert coupled with Cedi Osman (10.2 ppg, 35.7 3-Pt.%) and Isaac Okoro (8.8 ppg, 48 FG%) provided offensive balance for the Cavaliers, despite some struggles at times.

While they ranked No. 9 in field goal percentage (46.9 percent), they were just in the middle of the pack in three-point percentage (35.5%) at 15^th and 20^th in made threes per game at 11.6. They also ranked 21^st in free throw percentage 76 percent in 2021-22.   

Last season the Cavaliers had a player score 20 or more the first 39 games of 2021-22, their longest such streak since doing so the first 56 games in 2014-15 season and doing so in 80 out of 82 games last season.  

In 2021-22, the Cavs registered six games with 30-plus assists and had seven players averaging 10-plus points. In 2021-22, the Cavaliers had 10 games with 30-plus assists and had nine players average 10-plus points.

For 17 straight games (Nov. 22-Dec. 30, 2021) scored 100-plus points in a season-best 17 consecutive games.

At the All-Star break last season, the Cavaliers were 35-23 No. 3 in East right behind Bulls and Heat at 38-21. Post All-Star break saw the Cavaliers go just 9-15 going from No. 3 in the East to being in the Play-In Tournament.

While they went 18-9 their final 27 home games of 2021-22, including 14-6 their final 20 home games, the Cavaliers lost six out of their last seven road games, going 9-14 their final 23 road games.

The biggest reason was injuries to key Cavaliers personnel. Along with the losses of the aforementioned Sexton and Rubio, the Cavaliers also lost forward Dean Wade to a meniscus tear in his left knee that shelved him the final 15 games of 2021-22.

Hamstring and ankle injuries had Rondo on the shelf a total of 22 games since his arrival to the Cavaliers. Reserve Lamar Stevens missed a total of 21 games due to injury, while Okoro and Osman totaled 16 and 15 games missed respectably in 2021-22. 

Mobley missed five straight games from Mar. 20-Apr. 5 due to a sprained left ankle sustained in the second quarter of the Cavs 107-101 victory Mar. 2 versus Magic and the Cavaliers went 1-4 without Mobley. His missed four straight games (Nov. 17-27, 2021) sprained right elbow sustained in the Cavaliers 98-92 loss Nov. 15, 2021 versus Celtics. He also missed four games (Dec. 15-26, 2021) due to health and safety protocols.

The one injury that had the Cavaliers reeling in the second half of last season was when Allen fractured his middle finger in the team’s 104-96 triumph versus Raptors Mar. 6 on ESPN. Allen was shelved the final 18 games of the regular season, and the Cavs went 7-11 without him and 9-17 overall in 2021-22 without Allen in the lineup (35-21 w/Allen).

To put into context the significance of Allen’s absence to close 2021-22, the Cavs allowed their opponent to shoot at least 47 percent from the field the first nine games Allen was out and in 14 out of those 18 games.

The Cavs did manage to hold their spot in the Play-In Tournament but their first crack in earning a spot in the 2022 Playoffs did not happen in losing 115-108 at the Nets Apr. 12 TNT falling behind 40-20 after the first quarter.

They did mount a comeback cutting a once 22-point deficit to six on three occasions in the fourth quarter but never got closer.

In defeat, Garland led the way with 34 points and five assists on 13/24 shooting, including 3/6 from three. Mobley had 19 points, seven boards and two blocks. Love had 14 points and 13 rebounds, making three of his four triple tries. LeVert against his former team had 12 points, seven rebounds, seven assists with three steals.

The Cavaliers got off to a better start in their Play-In game three nights later versus the Hawks, but a poor second half doomed as their playoff dreams went up in smoke with a 107-101 loss Apr. 15 on ESPN.

Cavaliers led 36-25 after the first quarter, going 6/9 on their threes compared to the 20 points registered in the opening period at the Nets, hitting just 1/8 from three-point range.

They led by as many as 14 points in the first half and were up 61-51 at the half going 10/21 from three-point range with 15 assists and just three turnovers, including just one turnover in the opening period and forced eight Hawk miscues that led to 13 Cavs points.

The Cavaliers inexperience showed in the second half though as they were outscored 56-40 the second 24 minutes hitting just 3/15 on their triple tries with eight assists and nine turnovers that led to 13 Hawks points.

Garland finished with 21 points, nine assists and three steals, but shot just 9/27 in the defeat, registering eight points and four assists on 4/13 shooting in the second half.

Mobley had 18 points, eight boards, five assists and two blocks in the loss, while LeVert had 16 points and five assists on 4/9 from three.

Allen in his return from a 19-game absence dating back to early March had 11 points but just three boards and one block showing a lot of rust after not playing for almost two months.

Cavaliers fell counting the Play-In Games 35-22 with Allen (9-18 w/o Allen) in the lineup.

This offseason made a commitment to their floor general. Brought in some veteran talent and also unexpectedly acquiring a three-time All-Star on the same timeline as most of their roster.

On July 8, the Cavs officially signed Garland to a five-year, $193 million extension, that could go up to as much as $231 million. 

In late September, they signed Wade, who shot 43 percent from three-point range (21-94  3-Pt.) in 12 starts a season ago to a three-year $18.5 million extension.

In early July, the Cavaliers added some key veterans in bringing back Rubio (13.1 ppg, 6.6 apg in 34 games w/Cavaliers). Signed veteran center Robin Lopez (7.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 55.3 FG% in 36 games w/Magic) on a one-year, $1.8 million deal, whose played for the Suns, then New Orleans Hornets, Trail Blazers, Knicks, Bulls, Bucks, Wizards, and Magic his first 14 NBA seasons. They also signed reserve veteran guard Raul Neto (7.5 ppg, 3.1 apg 46.3 FG% w/Wizards) also on a one-year, $1.8 million deal.

On September 3, the Cavs unexpectedly made the deal one of the major deals of the offseason acquiring three-time All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell (25.9 ppg: 9^th NBA, 5.3 apg: career-high, 44.8 FG%, 35.5 3-Pt.% w/Jazz) in exchange for Sexton; forward Lauri Markkanen; the draft right to Ochai Agbaji (No. 14 overall pick 2022 NBA Draft) out of University of Kansas; three unprotected First Round pick (2025, 2027, 2029) and two pick swaps (2026 and 2028).

Last season outside of maybe Garland, the Cavaliers really did not have a legitimate top scoring option to go to when they needed a score to either hold an opponent’s scoring run or to ignite their extinguishing offensive flame.

Guards To Average 20 Points In Each Of Their First 5 Seasons NBA History
Oscar Robertson       1960-65      w/Cincinnati Royals
Dave Bing                  1966-71      w/Pistons
Michael Jordan         1984-89      w/Bulls
Mitch Richmond       1988-93      w/Warriors & Kings
Allen Iverson             1996-01      w/76ers
Donovan Mitchell     2017-22      w/Jazz

They have that guy in Mitchell, who has the seventh highest scoring average in NBA Playoff history at 28.3 to go alongside Garland. The hope is that he can guide the Cavaliers to a place he has gone and where they have not been since 2018, the Playoffs when the aforementioned LeBron James led them to The Finals.

“I’m a competitor. I’m a winner. I’ve made it to the Playoffs. But ultimately, I haven’t gotten to the end goal and that’s what I’m looking to do here,” Mitchell, who has four years and $134.9 million left on the extension he signed in 2020 said in his Zoom interview on Media Day with NBATV’s Taylor Rooks. “I think my goals align with our team’s goals, which makes it easier. But for me, it’s no secret I haven’t won.”

The other big adjustment that the Cavs will have to make, specifically for Garland and Mitchell is who will be the initiator of the offense?

Garland said to Rooks on Media Day that will “pretty easy” because of how both are elite ball handlers as well as their ability to make plays off the ball.

“He’s an elite scorer,” Garland said about Mitchell. “He gets his teammates involved. He’s always trying to make the right play.”

What allowed the Cavaliers to have success last season was everything started for them at the defensive end, thanks in large part to ability of Allen and Mobley to protect the paint with their length and size at the basket or on the perimeter and they got their offense off dribble penetration from Garland, LeVert, and Cavs other wings.

With more offensive fire power now in the fold, Allen and Mobley should get more looks at the rim from the attention that Mitchell will attract, which will keep both big men engaged at the defensive end.

“Every time I have to guard him, it seems like he scores,” Allen said at Media Day about the continued improvement of Mobley. “His offensive game improving still from where it was last year.”

“I mean, we obviously know he’s an All-NBA Defense caliber type of defensive player. But on the offensive wise, he still amazes us with moves every time.”

Mobley when asked Media Day about what he hopes to accomplish in his second NBA season is to “win.”

He added about what he took away from his rookie season, Mobley said that you have to take each game one at a time and that you have to “stay solid” throughout the season and not get “too high or too low” with so many games to play.

“I feel like we didn’t go to our full capacity last year and feel like we got a lot to prove this year,” Mobley said.   

It has been a long road for the Cavaliers to get back to a level where making the playoffs was serious reachable goal instead of a pipe dream being in the postseason.

Their +22 wins from 2020-21 (22-50) to 44-38 in 2021-22 was the second largest win increase in franchise history, next to their 24-win improvement from 33-49 in 1990-91 to 57-25 in 1992 and run to the Eastern Conference Finals, falling 4-2 to the eventual six-time NBA champion Bulls led by Michael Jordan.

Largest Win Improvement From Previous Season In Cavaliers History
1991-92  +24 Wins: 33-49 In 1990-91 To 57-25 In 1991-92
2021-22  +22 Wins: 22-50 In 2020-21 To 44-38 In 2021-22
2008-09  +21 Wins: 45-37 In 2007-08 To 66-16 In 2008-09
2014-15  +20 Wins: 33-49 In 2013-14 To 53-29 In 2014-15

General Manager Kolby Altman and the Cavs front office got to this point by drafting well. Having the right coach in place to get the best and most of the team. Having a style of play that puts the team in the best position to succeed. And then being to make the right deals at the right times to bring in talent that connects with the roster already in place.

The Cavs have built that cohesive roster via draft and trades in Darius Garland (22), Jarrett Allen (24), Evan Mobley (21) and now Donovan Michell (25). They have supporting cast of Caris LeVert, Cedi Osman, Issac Okoro, Dean Wade, Lamar Stevens that are solid. They also have veterans in Kevin Love, Robin Lopez, Raul Neto, and Ricky Rubio that can echo the message Coach Bickerstaff is trying to get across.

For the Cavaliers, who will be one of just three and just three teams to have two All-Stars starting in the same backcourt (Warriors) and just one of three teams with three All-Star in the starting lineup period.

For them, it is about staying healthy. Building continuity on both ends and finishing the deal of making the Playoffs and seeing how far they can go once they get there.

“I think we will make a big jump. Everybody got some games under their belt. They know what that Play-In or Playoff atmosphere is like. So, I think as a group, we will make a huge jump,” Garland said to Rooks about the Cavs hopes of making the Playoffs. 

Mitchell added while the Cavs have a lot of “depth” and that they are “young” players trying to prove themselves, but it comes down to taking that talent on paper and proving it can work on the hardwood.

“This isn’t [NBA] 2K where you just throw it out there and it just clicks,” Mitchell said to Rooks. “We have to put the work in and do it as a group.”   

Coach Bickerstaff echoed those same feelings saying, “If we do the right things, good things will happen for this group and we believe that.”

“If we play with the same spirit we played with last year. We defend the way we defended last year. Positive things will happen for us and we focus on that.”

Best Case Scenario: The Cavaliers are competing for homecourt in advantage in the East Playoffs. The backcourt of Garland and Mitchell lives up to the hype. The frontcourt combo of Allen and Mobley is even more exceptional on both ends. The Cavs are again a Top 5 defense. Their bench is one of the top scoring and productive reserve units in the league. They make the Playoffs outright for the first time since 2018.

Worst Case Scenario: The Cavaliers have to make the Playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. Garland and Mitchell have their struggles co-existing. The defense takes a step back.

Grade: A

Detroit Pistons: 23-59 (5^th Central Division; missed the playoffs) 13-28 at home, 10-31 on road.

-104.8 ppg-28^th; opp. ppg: 112.5-22^nd; 43.0 rpg-25^th

When you trying to build a team back to becoming a playoff perennial from scratch, there is going to be some rough and head-scratching times. There will be long losing streaks and  nights you lose by 25-plus points to a team superior to you. There will also be moments of brilliance by individuals that you are counting on to get you out of doldrums. Those individuals will also have moments that will have you reaching for antacid. That is where we find the Detroit Pistons who have had three straight seasons of 23 wins or less. As they enter another season in their rebuild, the goal for the Pistons is to position themselves to play meaningful games in March and April and take another step in becoming an eventual Playoff perennial.

Head coach Dwane Casey’s team closed 2021-22 with an 11-4 mark their final 25 games. While that may not sound great, it is way better than the 12-45 mark they had their first 57 games. They finished the season 18-31 in 2022 after going 5-28 in 2021, that included a 1-18 mark the final 19 games to close 2021. In the Pistons 5-28 mark in 2021 portion of 2022 consisted of a franchise-tying worst 14-game losing streak (Nov. 19-Dec. 19, 2021) and three four-game losing streaks.

One of the first marks of a good team is being able to consistently win at home. The Pistons started 2022 5-3 at home before dropping 13 of their final 18 games at Little Caesars Arena.

Like most evolving teams during a rebuild struggle to win games away from home. The Pistons were no different going 7-29 their final 36 games on the road. But that did include a 6-8 their final 14 road games.

When the Pistons hired former Thunder Assistant President of Basketball Operations Troy Weaver as their new GM on June 18, 2020, he was tasked of bringing in young talent through the draft and free agency that can get them 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.

Among those talented core players was No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft in guard Cade Cunningham (17.4 ppg, 5.6 apg, 5.5 rpg), who found his groove later on the season after he missed the first four games to start 2021-22 with a sprained ankle and missed four games to close 2021 (Dec. 23, 2021-Jan. 3) being in health and safety protocols. He missed 18 games in total did the rookie out of Oklahoma State University

That groove Cunningham found had him register 25 20-plus point games; 10 double-doubles, which ranked fourth amongst rookies, including two triple-doubles on his way to making the 2021-22 All-Rookie First Team.

His best game scoring wise came on Jan. 25 versus the Denver Nuggets (a 110-105 loss) where he scored a season-high 34 points with eight assists, eight rebounds, two steals and four blocks on 14/26 from the field, including 6/9 from three-point range.

Cunningham tied his season-high of 34 points with six assists and two steals on 13/24 from the field and 5/11 on his triple tries in the Pistons 130-123 loss Mar. 29 versus Nets.

He had his first career triple-doubles of 13 points, 10 assists, 12 rebounds and two steals in the team’s 121-116 loss Nov. 21, 2021 versus the Lakers. His second triple-double of 19 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds with three steals in the Pistons 115-105 win versus Cavaliers.

Cunningham’s Scoring Average and Field Goal Percentage By Month In 2021-22
                                PPG         FG%
Nov. 2021               14.6          36.9%
Dec. 2021                17.9         41.8%
Jan. 2022                17.3         42.0%
Feb. 2022                15.9         39.1%
Mar. 2022               22.9         48.0 %
Apr. 2022               13.7          34.1%

Post All-Star break, Cunningham found that groove averaging 21.7 points and 6.5 assists on 45.7 percent from the field after scoring 15.7 points and 5.6 assists on 39.4 percent from during unofficial first half of 2021-22.

Among the many reasons the Pistons struggled a season ago was their inability to be consistent on offense, ranking No. 29 in field goal percentage (43.1%); No. 26 in threes made (11.3); No. 29 in three-point percentage (32.6%); and No. 24 in assists (23.5).

To put the Pistons struggles offensively at the start of 2021-22 into context, they shot on average 40.5 FG% their first 21 games, the worst since the 2011-12 by the Sacramento Kings.   

The Pistons were just 9-39 when their opponent made more triples than they did in 2021-22 and they only managed to connect on 40 percent of their triple tries only 15 times a season ago.

The one player on the Pistons who marksmanship was exceptional from three-point range a season ago was second-year forward Saddiq Bey (16.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 34.6 3-Pt.%).

In the Pistons 122-101 victory versus Hawks Mar. 23, Bey broke the Pistons single-season franchise record for made threes at 211, surpassing the previous mark of 191 total made threes set by Allan Houston in the 1995-96 season. Bey also authored the first 200 total made threes in a season by a Pistons player.

Bey also was the lone Piston to play all 82 games in 2021-22, joining Kevon Looney of the World Champion Warriors, Deni Avdija of the Wizards, Mikal Bridges of the Suns, and Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks.

Bey registered a career-high of 51 points with nine boards and three steals on 17/27 from the floor and tied a single-game franchise record making 10 threes on 10/14 from long range in the Pistons 134-120 win at the Magic Mar. 17 on NBATV. He scored a career-best 31 points in the first half on 6/9 from three, with 21 of those points coming in the opening quarter.

Bey tied Hall of Famer and two-time champion with the Pistons Joe Dumars’ franchise mark of 10 made threes going 10/18 from three for 40 points Nov. 8, 1994, versus the Timberwolves.

Pistons to score 50 Points or More In A Game In Their History
George Yardley: two games    Richard “Rip” Hamilton
Dave Bing:                                Blake Griffin
Kelly Tripucka                         Saddiq Bey
Jerry Stackhouse

As important as it is to have a star player(s) in building a playoff perennial, you need to have solid role players that compliment those star players.

That crew right now consists of swingman Hamidou Diallo (11.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 49.6 FG%), who the Pistons acquired from the Thunder a season ago and had a career-high five double-doubles a season ago. Center Isaiah Stewart (8.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 51.0 FG%), who had 12 double-doubles a season ago after registering eight double-doubles as a rookie in 2020-21. Reserve guard Killian Hayes (6.9 ppg, 3.6 apg)

Along with drafting the right players via the draft when you are rebuilding, you also need to find players that fit your team via the trade market.

Just like they found Diallo last season when Weaver used his tied with his former employer the Thunder, he took a chance in acquiring in a three-team deal with Bucks and Sacramento Kings former No. 2 overall pick in 2018 Marvin Bagley III (11.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 50.4 FG% w/Kings & Pistons).

Simply put, Bagley III because of injuries and inability to gain trust among then head coach Luke Walton and then interim head coach Alvin Gentry struggled in Sacramento.

Those struggled continued last season where he averaged just 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds in 30 games (17 starts) with Kings.

In 18 games with the Pistons, Bagley III found his footing a little bit averaging in 18 games 14.6 points and 6.8 boards on 55.5 percent shooting in 27.2 minutes. He totaled four double-doubles after registering just three with the Kings. He had four games with 20 points or more compared to just one 20-point game with Kings.

                            Marvin Bagley’s Big Games With Pistons                                            
Mar. 7 vs. Hawks (113-110 win): 19 points, 10 rebounds, 9/16 FGs
Mar. 11 at Celtics (114-103 loss): 20 points, 11 rebounds, 9/15 FGs
Mar. 17 at Magic (134-120 win, NBATV): 20 points, 11 rebounds, 7/15 FGs
Mar. 25 vs. Wizards (100-97 loss): 25 points, five rebounds, 10/16 FGs
Mar. 27 vs. Knicks (104-102 loss): 27 points, seven rebounds, 11/14 FGs

In a season where the Pistons had their struggles, especially against teams .500 or better starting 0-15 and went 13-40 overall against in 2021-22. They did produce big wins against a few Playoff teams, including against the two of the NBA’s Final four from a season ago.

In the Pistons 127-121 win at the Raptors Nov. 13, 2021, Stewart had 20 points and two block shots. Bey had 16 points with eight boards, five assists, and two steals making 3/7 from three. Hayes, 13 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, 3/4 from three.

In the Pistons 100-90 win versus the No. 1 in the East, the Heat on Dec. 19, 2021, outscoring them 33-19 in the third quarter. Bey led the way with 26 points hitting 3/6 from three and 9/10 at the foul line. Cunningham while scoring only four points with 10 assists. It was their first victory over a team .500 or better last season.  

The Pistons began 2022 with a 115-106 win at the Bucks, snapping a 12-game losing streak to their Central Division rivals, led by the then career-high of 34 points with eight boards on 12/20 shooting, including 8/12 from three, with the eight made threes representing a then career-high.

In their second of three wins in 2021-22 over the Raptors, winning 103-87 at the Raptors, they held the home team to 32.2 percent shooting (28/87 FGs) and 11/38 from three and outscored the Raptors 52-34 in the paint.

In defeating the eventual East champion Celtics (112-111) in Boston, Bey had 20 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and two steals on 5/8 from three-point range. Cunningham had 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists on 3/6 from three.

It was one of 10 wins the Pistons registered a season ago in games decided by five points or less in 2021-22.

The Pistons in their 102-94 win versus the 76ers, they outscored the visitors 29-15 in the fourth quarter. Cunningham had 27 points, six assists and four steals on 12/20 from the floor. Bey had 20 points making four triples, scoring 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, all coming in the final 4:23 of the period. Bey also in this win became the first player in Pistons history to make 200 total triples in a single-season.

Perhaps the most impressive victory by the Pistons in 2021-22 came on Jan. 10 versus the Utah Jazz, where they overcame a 22-point deficit to end a 10-game losing streak to the boys from Salt Lake City, UT. They outscored the Jazz 94-62 the final 2 ½ quarters, including 24-16 after the Jazz closed the Pistons lead to 102-100.

The Pistons in the victory made season-high 19 triples, going 19/37 on their threes, including making a franchise record for threes in a half with 15 in the second 24 minutes.

Cunningham scored 18 of his then career-high 29 points in the third quarter as the Pistons outscored the Jazz 40-23 in the third and 78-55 in the second half. Cunningham shot 10/17 from the field, including 5/9 on his triples with eight assists, two steals and two block shots. Bey also scored 29 with six boards on 10/14 from the field and 5/7 from three-point range.

The Pistons in their victory over the Jazz since posting a 95-92 win at the Jazz Jan. 25, 2016, registered their most points (78) in any half since they did it in 1985. They scored 27 points off 16 Jazz turnovers and outscored their bench 47-32. 

The Pistons rebuild to get back to being a perennial Playoff participant continued this offseason starting with the 2022 NBA Draft.

With the No. 5 overall pick, the Pistons chose guard Jaden Ivey out of Purdue University (17.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 46.0 FG% w/Boilermakers).

The 2021-22 AP Second Team All-American not only fills a position of need slotting alongside Cunningham with his unique ability to make plays off the dribble; shoot from the mid-range; is a great cutter and excellent in transition.

While he shot 32.2 percent last season in Purdue, he improved his three-point shot as the 2021-22 season progressed and got that three-point percentage up from 25 percent on his triple tries as freshmen to about 36 percent as a sophomore.

He also comes from good blood lines as he is the mother of former Indiana Fever guard and current head coach of the Notre Dame Lady Fighting Irish Niele Ivey, who played and was assistant coach for the legendary Muffet McGraw’s and helped lead the Lady Fighting Irish as a player to the NCAA title in 2001.

At age 22 she had Jaden and always kept a photo of her son to keep him when she was on the road when she could not bring him with her.

Coach Ivey also was an assistant coach on head coach Taylor Jenkins’ staff in 2019-20 season.

“This is everything, man” Ivey said on June 23 after getting draft while shedding tears to ESPN’s Monica McNutt.

He added in referencing his mother “I worked day-in and day-out to just get to this level. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her. I’m just so happy.”

When asked by McNutt what the Pistons are going to get from him? Ivey’s answer was, “I’m going to work my hardest, you know, to help my team win and I’m just going to give it my all.”

In a three-team draft night deal with the Hornets and Knicks, the Pistons acquired the draft rights to center Jalen Duren (No. 13 overall pick) out of University of Memphis from the Hornets and veteran guard Kemba Walker.

Duren, 18 is a raw center who brings an ability to finish at the rim. Is an excellent passer, especially out of the high post, and is an excellent rebounder, evidence by leading the AAC in rebounds per game at 8.1 in 2021-22, while also averaging 12.1 points and 2.1 blocks on 59.7 percent shooting.  for head coach and former NBA player Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. 

What he has to work on to have a long NBA career is his jumper at least from the mid-range.

At Media Day on Sept. 26, Duren said that he expects from his rookie season to “grow,” “get better,” “learn,” and “just to kind of soak up everything that’s going on around.”

“Me coming in being one of the youngest players to come is honestly just about about growth, and that’s what I’m locked in on. Just doing whatever I can to help the team grow and get better.”

In a deal with the Trail Blazers on June 24, the Pistons dealt forward Jerami Grant and the draft rights to Ismael Kamagate (No. 46 overall pick) from France and acquired the draft righs to Gabriele Procida (No. 36 overall pick) from Italy; 2025 First Round pick (via Bucks); a 2025 Second Round pick and a 2026 Second-Round pick.

Grant was the Pistons designated scorer and defender and after Cunningham their best player.

Weaver made this trade because they did not want to pay Grant, who can sign a four-year, $112 million extension and is not on the same timeline as the rebuilding boys from the “Motor City.” They want to keep their financial books as clean as possible to sign a free agent or swing a trade to bring a star player on their timeline or do so before they sign Cunningham to a long-term extension.

The Pistons in adding some veteran leadership to the roster in a deal with the Knicks in late June acquired guard Alec Burks (11.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 40.4 3-Pt.% w/Knicks) made a career-high 157 triples (157/3889 3-Pt.) in 2021-22 and center Nerlens Noel; 2026 Second-Round pick (via Timberwolves or Knicks) and cash considerations.

Bagley III because of his play in his brief time with the Pistons last season earned him a new three-year, $37.5 million deal on July 6.

At the start of August, the Pistons officially re-signed forward/guard Rodney McGruder to a one-year, $1.8 million deal ad signed former Knick and Hawk Kevin Knox II to a two-year, $6 million deal.

In a trade with the Jazz in late September acquired veteran sharp-shooter Bojan Bogdanovic (18.1 ppg, 45.5 FG%, 38.7 3-Pt. w/Jazz), who made at least 150 total threes his last five seasons (181/468 3-Pt. in 2021-22) in exchange for forward Kelly Olynyk and guard Saben Lee.

The addition of Bogdanovic, whose entering the final year of his deal, Noel, and Burks to along with reserve veteran guard Cory Joseph (8.0 ppg, 3.6 apg, 44.5 FG%, 41.4 3-Pt.%) signaled that they are about being in the mix of making the postseason through the Play-In Tournament, which means they want to play as mentioned meaningful games in late March and April.

The reality though is the Pistons ability to possibly end a three-year drought and be a postseason perennial in the years to follow all depends on the growth of their youngsters in Cade Cunningham (21), Saddiq Bey (23), Isaiah Stewart (21), Marvin Bagley III (23), Killian Hayes (21), Jaden Ivey (20), Hamidou Diallo (24), and Jalen Duren (18).

Last season, Cunningham registered 1,114 points, 356 assists, and 354 assists in total in 2021-22. Numbers that have only been reached by five other players as rookies through 64 games in NBA history by Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Alvan Adams, Lakers’ LeBron James, and Mavericks Luka Doncic.

For Cunningham, who finished No. 3 in the rookie of the year voting last season, it’s now about being more efficient with his perimeter shot (41.6 FG%, 31.4 3-Pt.: 114/383 3-Pt.) and becoming the kind of leader that can guide the Pistons back atop the NBA championship mountain like the great floor generals did before him in the history of the Pistons like Hall of Famer and NBATV analyst Isiah Thomas did twice with the “Bad Boys” of 1989 and 1990 and now Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups did in 2004.

“I think it’s realistic to say that we’ll have a bunch of locked in guys that are playing to win every night,” Cunningham said about the Pistons approach to 2021-22. “That’s all were focused on is playing to win. Making it easier for your teammate. Making it easier for the coaching staff buy just doing your job at the best of your ability.”

Bey, who has made it a habit of mainly shooting threes said he worked this offseason on being a more well-rounded player with a more balanced offensive attack.

Ivey brings elite speed and explosiveness. For him, it’s about being able to strike a match from the perimeter, which he should be able to do because of a majority and focus to do so, especially for a team that he has family ties with.

“As a young kid, I never thought I’d be drafted to the Pistons. But I always was a big fan of them as a young kid and to be a Piston and to be here with this organization just with the ties I have with my mom playing for the [WNBA’s] Detroit Shock organization. My dad playing of Country Day [High School]. My grandfather playing for [NFL’s] Lions, you know, I ‘ve always loved Detroit,” Ivey said at Media Day on Sept. 26.

“I want to be a Piston for life. That’s for sure. It runs deep.”   

After a rough start to his NBA career, Bagley III got a lifeline when he was dealt to the Pistons and had solid moments in his 18 games with them a season ago and was rewarded for that with a new deal this offseason. For him this season it is about continuing what he did and being a consistent force in helping the Pistons rise back to being among the NBA’s elite.

“I mean, it’s hard to put a lid on it. The skies the limit with this team,” Bagley III said back on Sept. 27 to WXYZ-TV Detroit’s Jeanna Trotman. “It’s just about how we can continue everyday put that work in and continue to build towards something great. And I feel like if we all buy in that and play for each other then, who knows what we can do?”

Unfortunately, Bagley III will be out 3-4 weeks with a bone bruise and sprained MCL in his right knee sustained in the Pistons 115-99 loss in their preseason tilt versus the Thunder on Oct. 11.

In his first two seasons, Stewart got major minutes because of his energy, hustle, and tenacity. Starting this season with the emphasis so much about being able for big men to spread the court with their ability to shoot, Stewart hopes to be that next front court player who can make perimeter shots especially from three-point range.

“I’m very excited about this upcoming season,” Stewart said at Media Day about the prospects for the Pistons in 2022-23. “I feel like we had a great summer of work heading into training camp. I feel like the fans should be excited for what’s to come for this group. We’ve been putting the work and, you know, we’re excited to get out there and play in front of the fans.”

The Pistons have missed the Playoffs three straight seasons and in 11 out of the last 13 seasons. Their last Playoff appearance was in 2019 when they were swept 4-0 by the Bucks.

GM Troy Weaver has come in and via the draft and trades has added a solid mix of talent young players that have a lot of upside mixed in with some veterans that have had solid careers in the NBA.

The prospects of making ending their three-year Playoff drought are very low. But them playing any kind of meaningful games in late March and April will be another step in their road back to being a Playoff perennial.

Best Case Scenario: The Pistons win 30-plus games and are on the edge of a spot in the East Play-In Tournament. Ivey is in the conversation for Kia Rookie of the Year and a spot on either of the All-Rookie teams. Cunningham continues his maturation as the face of the Pistons. They get more assets at the February trade deadline for Bogdanovic and Walker.

Worst Case Scenario: The Pistons have a long season full of losing streaks. They suffer a lot blow out losses.

Grade: B

Indiana Pacers: 25-57 (4^th in Central Division; missed the playoffs); 16-25 at home, 9-32 on road.

-111.5 ppg-14^th; opp. ppg: 114.9-21^st; 43.9 rpg-21^st    

With injuries to key personnel on the roster, which led to a mountain of defeats, the Indiana Pacers 2021-22 had really not choice but to begin their rebuild. They said goodbye via trade and brought in pieces, particular a young and rising floor general that they hope can bring hope to a fanbase that is waiting for the tide to turn since one of the best two-way players in the game today left town a few years ago. For the Pacers entering this season, the goal is to continue to build continuity with the young players, especially one that is the highest draft pick in many years.

The Pacers closed out a dismal season with on a season-worst 10-game losing streak from Mar. 23-Apr. 10. They had six losing streaks of four-plus games, which also included a seven-game skid (Feb. 2-16). A six-game losing streak (Dec. 26, 2021-Jan. 8, 2022); and three separate three-game losing streaks (Nov. 15-20, 2021; Jan. 22-27; Mar. 4-12).

They went 4-16 their final 20 road games, losing their final five road contest. Finished under .500 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the second straight season after 31 consecutive seasons from Market Square Arena to their current aforementioned home court once named Conseco Fieldhouse with an above .500 at home. They went 3-16 their final 19 home games of 2021-22.

The boys from the Hoosier state also registered six losing streaks of 4-plus games in 2021-22.  

The Pacers last season played in their share of close games a season ago. The problem was because of many of their key personnel missing in action because of injuries, they were on the wrong side of many of those down to the wire contest.

In games that were within five points the final five minutes of fourth quarter/overtime (clutch time), the Pacers went just 11-34. In games decided by six points or less, the Pacers were just 8-21, including 5-20 in games decided by four points or less. That also consisted of a 3-14 record in games decided by three points or less.

A big reason head coach Rick Carlisle’s team struggled down the stretch of games a season ago is their starters and key personnel were not on the floor due to injury.

Malcolm Brogdon played in 36 games. Myles Turner (12.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 50.9 FG%), played in just 40 games, missing the final 39 games of 2021-22 from Jan. 14 to the end of the season with a left foot stress reaction. Reserve guard T.J. McConnell (8.5 ppg, 4.9 apg, 48.1 FG%) missed 54 straight games from early January to early April with ligament damage to his right wrist that required surgery. T.J. Warren played in a total of four games the last two seasons because of a navicular fracture in his left foot.

The team was so banged up, they brought back from their days being in the East Finals in the early 2010s Lance Stephenson for his third stint with the Pacers.

Seeing the writing on the wall that the Playoffs was not in their future for a second straight season, the Pacers felt now was the time to begin their pivot towards rebuilding.

In a trade with the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 7, they dealt Caris LeVert and a 2022 Second Round pick (via Heat) to the Cavaliers in exchange for the expiring contract of guard Ricky Rubio, who did not play a game for them because of season-ending surgery on his torn left ACL. The Pacers also in the deal received a 2022 First Round pick that is lottery protected and a two 2022 Second Round picks (via Rockets and Jazz).

One day later, the Pacers said goodbye to two-time All-Star forward/center Domantas Sabonis, swingman Justin Holiday and guard Jeremy Lamb dealing them to the Kings in exchange for guard Tyrese Haliburton (15.3 ppg, 8.2 apg-7^th NBA, 4.0 rpg, 47.3 FG%, 41.4 3-Pt. in 77 games, with the Kings & Pacers). The Pacers also acquired sharp-shooter Buddy Hield (15.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 36.6 3-Pt.%) and veteran center Tristan Thompson, who they waived after he played just one game with them and signed with the Bulls. 

In a deal with the Suns at the Feb. 10 trade deadline, they acquired young center Jalen Smith (9.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 50.3 FG% in 51 games w/Suns & Pacers) and a 2022 First Round pick in exchange for forward Torrey Craig and cash considerations.

Before the trades, the Pacers were the 10^th oldest team in the NBA last season at an average age of 26.5. With those deals made leading up to the Feb. 10 trade deadline, the Pacers became the 10^th youngest team in the league with the age of the roster at 25 years 213 days.  

The Pacers at least offensively after the trade played a more modern pace at the offensive end where they shot a lot more threes and up their offensive tempo.

That led to them scoring 110-plus points in 20 out of their final 27 games of 2021-22. Last season, the Pacers registered 20-plus assists in 26 games. They had at five players score in double-figures in 64 games a season ago.     

Leading the Pacers new look offensive attack was Haliburton, who after averaging in 51 games with the Kings 14.3 points, 7.4 assists, 3.9 boards, and 1.7 steals on 45.7 percent from the field and 41.3 percent on his triples (104/252 3-Pt.) with the Kings, he rose his outputs to 17.5 points, 9.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 50.2 percent from the floor and 41.6 percent on his threes (57/137) in 26 games with the Pacers.

The No. 12 overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Iowa State University, who had five double-doubles as a rookie in 202-21 with Kings registered 11 of his 25 double-doubles last season with the Pacers, with six double-doubles in the final 10 games of 2021-22.

Haliburton equaled his output of 11 20-plus point games with the Kings with the Pacers in just 26 games.

Counting his time with the Kings, Haliburton registered 34 straight games with six-plus assists from Jan. 7-Apr. 1 and in 37 out of last 39 games, including registering five-plus assists in 38 out of the final 39 games of last season.

To put the rise of Haliburton’s game once traded to the Pacers in clearer context, he had three games with 10-plus points, 15-plus assists and five-plus rebounds three times after doing so just once with the Kings last season. He had 10-plus assists in 12 out of his 26 games with the Pacers compared to 16 games in total in 51 games with the Kings.

In the Pacers 121-114 loss Apr. 3 versus the Pistons, Haliburton had 19 points, 17 assists, nine rebounds and zero turnovers. He became the 10^th player in the NBA since 1982 with 19 points, 17 assists and no turnovers in a game.  

Haliburton, 22 was the only player in 2021-22 to average 14 point and seven assists and make 40 triples, which had never been done in the entire 75 years of “The Association” by player under age 24.

Most Double-Doubles By Player Age 22 or Younger In 2021-22
Luka Doncic (DAL): 44             
Wendell Carter, Jr. (ORL): 33
Darius Garland (CLE): 29
Tyrese Haliburton (SAC/IND): 25
LaMelo Ball (CHA): 23

Buddy Hield, who had been in trade rumors over the past couple of seasons with the Kings was finally dealt last season and was in a much happier place and doing what he does best, take and make threes. He rose his averaged from 14.4 points, four rebounds and 1.9 assists on 38.2 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three (182/495 3-Pt.) in 55 games with the Kings to 18.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 44.7 percent from the field while maintaining his solid marksmanship from three at 36.2 percent (80/221 3-Pt.) in 26 games with Pacers.

After totaling 13 20-plus point games with Kings last season, Hield totaled 10 games scoring 20-plus points

Smith, who did not get much playing time in a stacked playing rotation with the Suns, producing averaged of six points and 4.8 boards on 46 percent shooting in 13.1 minutes to averaging 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds on 53.1 percent from the field in 24.7 minutes. 

After registering seven career double-doubles (four coming this season) and making 9/39 on his triple tries (23.1 3-Pt.%) with the Suns, the No. 10 overall pick out of University of Maryland had six double-doubles and shot 37.3 percent from three-point range (31/83 3-Pt.).

The new additions fit a lot better with the young cast the Pacers already had in the fold like 2021-22 All-Rookie Second team selection in guard Chris Duarte (13.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 36.9 3-Pt.%), forward Oshae Brissett (9.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 35.0 3-Pt.%), guard Terry Taylor (9.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 61.4 FG% in 33 games w/Pacers); Isaiah Jackson (8.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 56.3 FG% in 36 games w/Pacers) center Goga Bitadze (7.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 52.0 FG%).

As rookie, Duarte, No. 13 pick in 2021 Draft out of University of Oregon register six 20-plus points games. He was the first of the 2021-22 rookie class to register 650-plus points, 200-plus rebounds, 100-plus assists and 50-plus steals.

In the Pacers most impressive win of 2021-22, a 121-117 win at the eventual NBA champion Warriors Jan. 20 on TNT, Duarte had a season-high tying 27 points with seven rebounds on 10/16 shooting. 

Duarte though missed a total of 27 games a season ago, including the final 12 games with a sore left big toe.

Taylor also showed well with season-highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds on 10/15 shooting in the Pacers 119-118 loss Feb. 2 versus the Orlando Magic. Two nights later, Taylor had another double-double of 21 points and 14 boards with five assists in the Pacers 122-115 defeat at the Bulls.

Jackson, No. 22 overall pick in 2021 Draft out of University of Kentucky had three double-doubles his rookie season. A concussion shelved him for a number of games in February.

While he has been inconsistent during the early part of his career with the Pacers, Bitadze when he got minutes showed he can be productive. He registered his second career double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Pacers 113-103 loss Jan. 22 at the Suns. His third career double-double, second of last season came in a 125-118 loss versus the Denver Nuggets where he had 17 points and 10 rebounds with two blocks.

In the Pacers final win of 2021-22, Bitadze had 23 points, nine boards and three steals, hitting all nine of his shots, including all three of his triples in the 121-118 victory Mar. 18 at the Houston Rockets. 

Even with the influx of youth to Indianapolis in early February, the Pacers offense last season was one that was in the middle of pact of the league in terms of field goal percentage of 46.3 percent (17^th); 16^th in threes made at 12.2 per game and 15^th in threes attempted at 35.4. They were in the bottom five in three-point percentage at No. 24 (34.4 3-Pt.%) as well as taking care of the ball ranking 22^nd in turnovers per game at 13.6.

The Pacers were 21-32 when they shot 44 percent or higher from the field a season ago. While that is not something to write home about, it pales to their 4-25 mark when they shot under 44 percent from the field.

That inconsistency on offense led to the opposition getting whatever they wanted at the offensive end.

While the Pacers ranked fourth in block shots (5.6) and had a rebounding differential of +0.7 (13^th) a season ago, they ranked dead last (30^th) in opponent’s field goal percentage (48.3%) and three-point percentage (37.2%). They were 24^th in steals (7.1).

During the Pacers 10-game skid to close 2021-22, they allowed at least 120 points in nine of those 10 defeats, and allowed at least 120 points to the opposition 27 times, including allowing 130 points or more 19 times.

They really struggled specifically in the paint allowing on average 51.5 points. That is where they missed Turner the most, who when he had three or more blocks in a game in his career, the Pacers went 109-67.

The game that was the greatest macrocosm of the Pacers offensive and defensive struggles in 2021-22 came in their 120-113 loss Feb. 11 versus the Cavaliers. They scored a franchise-tying for the opening period 47 points, making a then NBA-high for a quarter 10 threes, going 10/12 from behind the three-point arc and 17/24 shooting overall (70.8 FG%) in the first period.

The Pacers led 74-63 at the half, with their 74 points tying the third most in a half last season. The Cavaliers came back outscoring the Pacers 57-39 in the second half to win as mentioned by seven points.

This game was also the debut Haliburton (23 points, six assists, three steals, 4/6 3-Pt), Hield (16 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, 4/10 3-Pt.), and Smith (12 points).   

The Pacers front office led by President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard and GM Chad Buchanan continued the overhauling of their roster.

Back in June, the Pacers in the 2021 NBA Draft selected forward Bennedict Mathurin (17.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg w/Wildcats) from Montreal Quebec in Canada and out of the University of Arizona. At pick No. 31 overall, the Pacers selected guard Andrew Nembbhard) out of Gonzaga University, who they signed to a four-year, $8.6 million deal, with $6.4 million guaranteed over the first three seasons, the most for a Second Round pick.

In a draft night trade on draft night with the Timberwolves acquired the draft rights to forward Kendall Brown (No. 48 overall pick) out of Baylor University in exchange for a 2026 Second Round pick and cash considerations. 

In a trade with the Celtics, the Pacers said goodbye to their veteran but injury-riddled Brogdon in exchange for veteran forward/center Daniel Theis (8.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 51.9 FG% in 47 games w/Rockets & Celtics); a 2023 First-Round pick and a handful of role players in forwards Aaron Nesmith, Malik Fitts, and Juwan Morgan, and guard Nik Stauskas. As from Nesmith, who will get meaningful minutes after barely playing as his rookie season in 2021-22, Fitts, Morgan, and Stauskas were waived on July 14.

Veterans Rubio and Warren we allowed to seek employment elsewhere.

On July 6, the Pacers officially re-signed Smith to a two-year, $9.6 million deal.

In a swing for the fence move, they tried to pry away Suns starting center Deandre Ayton, signing him to a four-year, $133 million offer sheet in the middle of July, which the Suns matched 24 hours later on July 15.  

The key player that will be under the microscope this upcoming season of the new additions is Mathurin.

The 2021-22 Pac-12 Player of the Year for head coach Tommy Lloyd bring a versatility where he can score down low, can shoot from mid-range and from three-point range. He is an explosive athlete who can create his own shot. Is exceptional in transition. Can play without the ball. Is an excellent cutter, good defender, and rebounder.

The other thing that the Pacers are getting in Mathurin, is a worker. He is someone who struggled speaking English when it came to communicating with his teammates in the early part of his career at UA. Now he speaks fluently in French Haitian, Creole along with English.

In being from Canada, Mathurin grew up playing hockey with his brother Dominque, who he lost in 2014 when a car hit him while on a bicycle on his way home from school. Dominque was just 14 years old.

To keep his focus on making his dream of playing in the NBA a reality, Mathurin has a tattoo on his arm that in remembrance of his brother Dominque that has “02-12-188-09-30-2014.”

“I decided to stay focused and pursue the dream as well,” Mathurin said on draft night back in late June to ESPN’s Monica McNutt.

He added about his brother saying that he is “everything” to him. That he is the reason he woke up every morning a just “wanting to be the best.”

When asked by McNutt what the Pacers are going to get from him. Mathurin answered his “heart.” That they are going to get “everything. From the jump to the end.” 

Nesmith, who the Pacers kept in the Celtics deal for Brogdon brings value because he is just 22 and has untapped potential. He came into this league touted as a shooter when the Celtics picked him No. 14 overall out of Vanderbilt University in 2020. No longer on a team that has championship aspirations and being low on the depth chart, Nesmith should get the kind of playing time to find out where he is at.

“I’m cherishing the opportunity I have here to get better every single day,” Nesmith about his time so far with the Pacers on Sept. 28. “So, I’ve been very happy and I’m so excited to continue and getting better and can’t wait for the regular season to start.”

While the Pacers have the players that they want to build the core of their team around, they still have four players in Turner, McConnell, Hield, and Theis.

While they can be valuable voices for Coach Carlisle in this rebuilding process, they are players who have skill sets that can be of major value to a team’s aspirations to win a title.

Turner and Hield have been mentioned as possible pieces in a deal to a team that can really use their services in the Lakers in a deal that would send 2017 Kia MVP and perennial All-Star guard Russell Westbrook to them along with First Round picks in 2027 and 2029.

Nothing came close to materializing over the summer but in a season where a lot of teams have expectations of winning and winning big this spring, the right price will net the right possible new opportunity to prosper for Turner, Hield, Theis and possibly McConnell.

“No matter what happens, I love playing basketball,” Hield said at Media Day on Sept. 26 about the trade rumors of him going to the Lakers. “And once I have a job, and as long as I can play in this league for a long time, I’m happy. It doesn’t matter where I end up or where I go, I’m still here. I’m just glad to play basketball at a high level with the best players in the world.”

Turner echoed those same sentiments, saying about being in trade rumors the last four-five years is something he “knows” and is “numb.”

“There are no hard feelings in this business, you know. You have to take the emotions out of everything and I’ve learned that at a young age. And I still hold true to that,” Turner added.

“My job is to come in here and to help these young guys now, man. I’m no longer the young guy in the locker room. I’m 26 years old and one of the oldest in the room and that’s something that’s new position for me. And one of the things that I want to take a lot of pride. So, that’s where all of my attention lies. As long as I am in this uniform, I’ll go out there and represent the state how I’m supposed to represent it. Represent myself in the same matter.”

McConnell also addressed his name being in trade rumors saying that if he does not hear from Pritchard or Buchanan, he does not pay attention to rumors in cyberspace or social media. His focus is on being a more vocal leader this season for this young Pacer squad.

“It’s different,” McConnel said on Media Day about his new role. “Except for my first two years in Philly [76ers] and now I’ve been on veteran teams where we had guys that do that and kind of one of those things where you look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘It’s time for you to take a step. Your next step as a leader.’ That’s mentally, emotionally, physically, and just do anything you can to help these guys navigate their path.”

One player that will get a lot of attention and mentoring from the vets is the Pacers hopefully face of the franchise moving forward in Haliburton, who at least with his play on the court has shown he will be a good one for years to come.

“My main focus going into the year is, you know, being ultra-aggressive, you know, myself and that will open up to play make and pass in what I think I do so well naturally,” Haliburton said to NBATV’s Taylor Rooks on Media Day on approach to this season offensively. “For me, I’m such a natural passer, playmaker…For me, it was challenging myself to score in different ways. Different levels. This summer has been focused on getting buckets basically.” 

He added about entering Year 3 of his NBA career that “there’s some expectations on me” about being the leader and the face of the Pacers moving forward.

“I think for me, it’s kind of about staying relaxed. Staying who I am. Trust me, my mom keeps me level. My girl keeps me level.” 

Haliburton added that what he loves about this Pacers group is how they “all love basketball” and “want to compete,” which he said is a “good start” for any team. 

Having to decide amongst this young and talented group of who plays is Coach Carlisle, who has done it all as a head coach in his two stints with the Pacers, Pistons, and Mavericks, where he helped lead them to their lone title in 2011.

Two years ago, Carlisle was hired for his second stint with the Pacers to get them to the next level, like he did in his first stint when he helped to guide the Pacers East Finals in his in his first season on their bench, falling to the Pistons in 2004.

Most coaches would see that it has taken a turn from a being a team that is competing to make the Playoffs to now having to build a team to become a postseason perennial from scratch as a major issue. Coach Carlisle see this as an “exciting” opportunity.   

Carlisle said at Media Day that this is “an exciting time” for the Pacers. That he is “looking forward” to the start of this season and of “an official new era of Pacers basketball.”

“It’s certainly a direction of youth,” Carlisle added. “It’s a direction of going all in on a group of guys that are young, talented, of extremely high character and tremendous upside. And so, it’s an exciting time and we’re looking forward to getting going.”   

Injuries a season ago had the Pacers shift to a rebuild seemingly overnight after they saw the group they had was not going anywhere.

They now enter a new era that will be led by a young core or talented, hunger, but mature and focused players in Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, Jalen Smith, Oshae Brissett, Terry Taylor, and Isaiah Jackson.

They also have at the moment veterans in Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, T.J. McConnell, and Daniel Theis who can help show this young core the ropes of how to be a great pro on and off the court.

Building a team that can compete for the postseason every year and eventually a championship is never easy. It is especially difficult if you are small market team.

The Pacers currently have a roster that Haliburton said to Rooks that the biggest advantages of them all being under 25 outside their aforementioned four vets that they are “all young.” On their rookie scale contracts. Just “excited” to be in “The Association” and want to prove that they belong.

The Pacers will have to continue to draft well and gather the right assets in draft picks and young players in their quest of getting back to being a playoff perennial and hopefully a championship contender like they were in the middle of the 1990s and early 2000s.

“We have some players that we really like and we can build around,” Pritchard said at Media Day, while also pushing back on the word “rebuild.” “It’s going to take some time. We’re going to enjoy the heck out of it and we’re going to build this team back up to make it a really special team with guys that have true character that have deep roots in this community.”

“At the end of the day, drafting, developing relationships is your best recipe for high level talent, high level characters, and the ability to keep players for a long time. I don’t think there’s a secret to this.”

Best Case Scenario: The Pacers win at least 33 games. They play a lot of close games as they did a season ago. Haliburton is in the conversation for his first All-Star selection. Mathurin makes one of the two All-Rookie teams. They acquire more draft assets for Turner and Hield, and Theis and possibly McConnell.  

Worst Case Scenario: The Pacers have a season of no improvement. Suffer a lot of blowout losses. Have at least 8-10 losing streaks of 4-plus games.

Grade: B

Miami Heat: 53-29 (No. 1 Southeast Division; No. 1 Seed in East; 29-12 at home, 24-17 on the road); Defeated the No. 8 Seeded Atlanta Hawks 4-1 in East Quarterfinals; Defeated the No. 4 Seeded Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in East Semifinals; Lost to No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics 4-3 in Eastern Conference Finals.

-110.0 ppg-17^th; opp. ppg: 105.6-4^th; 43.7 rpg-22^nd  

One shot. That’s it. One shot is what separated the Miami Heat from their second trip to NBA Finals in the last three season. That errant missed three-pointer sent the boys from “South Beach” golfing and the boys from “Beantown” to NBA Finals. Injuries didn’t slow them down. They feared no one they went against. Not even a dust up in a loss against the eventual NBA champions from the “Bay Area” that was the second of a four-game losing streak late in the season took the wind out of their sails. With nearly their entire core group back in the fold, including their two veteran two-way All-Stars and one of the best undrafted players in NBA history and a youthful quartet that has an All-Star and reigning Kia Sixth Man of the Year, the goal for the Heat to reach The Finals for the second time in the last four seasons and win their fourth title in franchise history.  

The Heat won their 15^th Division title in their history, including their seventh in the last 11 seasons. The three-time NBA champions finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference for the fourth time in franchise history. The boys from “South Beach” also won 50 games or more for the 10 season in franchise history.

They compiled the best home record in the Eastern Conference, going 29-12 at FTX Arena as well as the fifth best road record in the NBA as only one of 12 teams in 2021-22 to finish above .500 on the road.  

All this has come in the timeframe since Hall of Famer Pat Riley came to South Florida after a four-year run as head coach of the Knicks first as their sideline leader and now as their President of Basketball Operations and has turned the Heat into a no-nonsense, defensive minded, get it out the mud, make no excuses squad from the top down with the assistance of Heat Governor Micky Arison and long-time GM Andy Elisburg.

That circle of leadership has also included now head coach Erik Spoelstra, who has been with the Heat since Riley came to the Heat nearly three decades ago starting as the video coordinator (1995), to assistant coach/video coordinator (1997), then assistant coach/advance scout (1999), and then assistant coach/director of scouting (2001). He was tapped to be the team’s new head coach in April 2008.

The Heat finished above .500 for the 12^th in 14 seasons with Spoelstra as their sideline leader earning their 23^rd postseason berth in their first 34 seasons of existence.

It was another feather in the coaching career cap so far for Spoelstra, who is the second longest tenured head coach in the NBA behind the Spurs sideline leader of Gregg Popovich at now 27 seasons.

To put that into perspective, the third longest tenured head coach in the league currently is the Mavericks’ Jason Kidd, whose entering his second season with his team.

NBA’s Top 15 Head Coaches List In Honor of Its 75-Year Anniversary
Red Auerbach           K.C. Jones                           Pat Riley
Larry Brown             Steve Kerr (GS)                  Glenn “Doc” Rivers
Chuck Daly               Don Nelson                          Jerry Sloan
Red Holzman            Gregg Popovich (SA)         Erik Spoelstra (MIA)
Phil Jackson              Dr. Jack Ramsey                Lenny Wilkens

                        Among 15 Head Coaches On List With Heat Ties                       
Pat Riley: head coach: (1995-2003 and 2005-08; won title 2006)
Erik Spoelstra: current Heat head coach (2008-presentl won title 2006 as
an assistant, 2012 and 13 as head coach)
Dr. Jack Ramsey Heat TV color analyst 1992-2000

Behind the Heat’s circle of leadership along with their trademark focus on defense, exceptional marksmanship from three-point range, and a balance offensive attack, they managed to be the best team in the East all 2021-22 despite key personnel on the roster due to injury at times. But when some of those key guys played as well as those that became parts of the rotation, through the Heat’s trademark player development program.

At the forefront of Heat roster were All-Stars Jimmy Butler (21.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.6 spg, 48.0 FG%); new addition Kyle Lowry (13.4 ppg, 7.5 apg-10^th NBA, 4.5 rpg, 59.0 FG%, 37.7 3-Pt.%), and Bam Adebayo (19.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 55.7 FG%).

Outside of his first six seasons (2011-17) with the Bulls, that included his first four with then head coach Tom Thibodeau, Butler had struggled to find a team that fit his gritty, get after it, no-nonsense focus he brought to the floor every night, especially defensively. He did not find it in his one-plus seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2017-19) or in his lone portion of 2019 with 76ers, even though he built some major chemistry both on and off the court with superstar Joel Embiid.

The now six-time All-Star found is partner with the Heat when he was acquired via sign-and-trade from 76ers and five-time All-Defensive Second Team selection (2014-16, 2018, 2021) has been in the top three in charge of the team of the roster.

He has shown in his time with the Heat at the offensive end most of his big scoring nights from making mid-range jumpers while also getting consistently to the foul line where he has averaged 9.1, and eight foul shot attempts his first three seasons in South Beach, coupled with his ability to rebound and play make for his teammates.

Butler a season ago amassed 12 double-doubles, the third most in a season of his career (17 double-doubles in 2020-21 w/Heat; 15 double-doubles in 2016-17 w/Bulls), including registering four of his franchise leading 11 career triple-doubles. 

                       Career Triple-Double Leaders in Heat History                             
Jimmy Butler: 11 and counting                   Kyle Lowry: two and counting
LeBron James: nine                                      Goran Dragic, Shaquille O’Neal,
Bam Adebayo: five and counting                Lamar Odom, Billy Owens,
Dwyane Wade: five and counting                Steve Smith, and Rory Sparrow:
Hassan Whiteside: four                                one each

In the Heat’s 119-112 victory Dec. 28, 2021, versus the Wizards, Butler had 25 points, 15 assists, eight boards, two blocks and two steals (8/16 FGs; 9/9 FTs) joining future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade (three times), Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway, Sr. (twice), LeBron James, and now Bull Goran Dragic as the players to register at least 25 points and 15-plus assists in a game in Heat history.

The only thing that held Butler back was he missed a total 25 games because of a sprained right ankle on three occasions that shelved him for stints of three, eight, and three games (Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2021; Dec. 8-26, 2021; Jan. 5-14, 2022). He also missed time a season ago with sinus congestion and a left big toe injury.

Heat went 38-19 with Butler in the lineup a season ago and 15-10 in the games he was out.

After being a reserve his first three NBA season, Bam Adebayo has risen his level of play as the Heat’s starting big man, including last season where he averaged a double-double for the second time in the last three seasons with a career-high scoring average and registering 27 double-doubles in 2021-22 after 33 double-doubles (2020-21), 40 double-doubles (2019-20) and 11 double-doubles his previous three seasons.

A 2020 All-Star and now All-Defensive Second Team selection for the last three seasons, Adebayo from Jan. 27 towards the end of 2021-22 had 17 of his 27 double-doubles, trailing only Bulls Nikola Vucevic (19), superstar Luka Doncic (22) of the Mavericks and the back-to-back MVP of the Nuggets Nikola Jokic (30).

Adebayo was a major reason the Heat had the best home record in the NBA a season ago averaging 18.8 points and 10.3 boards on 58.4 percent shooting. 

Those numbers would have been possibly higher if Adebayo had not missed 23 straight games out of 26 games missed in 2021-22 due to a broken right thumb sustained in the Heat’s 120-111 loss Nov. 29, 2021, versus the Nuggets. 

When Kyle Lowry was acquired by Heat in a sign-and-trade from Raptors August 2021, he gave the Heat the lead guard that can take the playmaking pressure off Butler and Adebayo.

The six-time All-Star (all in his nine seasons: 2012-21 w/Raptors) and NBA champion registered 16 double-doubles a season ago, including two of 20 career triple-doubles.   

The 2016 All-NBA Third Team selection had three straight double-doubles from Dec. 17-21, 2021, including a performance of eight points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds (3/9 FGs: 0/5 3-Pt.) in Heat’s 125-96 victory on Dec. 12, 2021, versus Pacers, equaling the mark previously done by Hardaway, Sr. in 1998.

Lowry totaled 474 assists in 2021-22 that led to 1,126 points total from his teammates, which averaged out to 17.9 points per contest.

The Heat last season registered 14 games with 30-plus assists, that included a season-high 37 assists in their 118-92 triumph Dec. 11, 2021, versus the Bulls.

He too could have higher numbers had he not missed 19 games in total a season ago. From Jan. 17-Mar 7, Lowry missed 13 out of 21 games due to personal reasons, missing first nine games (Jan. 17-Feb. 3; Feb. 28-Mar. 7). He also missed two straight games (Dec. 26-31, 2021) being in health and safety protocols.

What made the Heat offense go a season ago alongside their three All-Stars was their stellar marksmanship from three-point range, where they led the league in three-point percentage (37.9%); No. 6 in the league in threes made (13.6) and No. 14 in threes attempted (35.8). They also ranked 13^th in “The Association” in field goal percentage at 46.7 percent, going 22-1 a season ago when they shot 50 percent from the field or higher. They also went 30-3 in 2021-22 when they shot 40 percent or better from three-point range. 

When the Heat scored 103 points or more, they were 49-14 in 2021-22, including 40-6 when they registered at least 110 points. They were just 4-15 last season when they scored 102 points or less.

They registered five of the 12 times in franchise history they made 20 or more threes in a game which included a single-game franchise record 23 made triples, going 23/42 from three in their 144-115 victory versus the Hornets Apr. 5.

The Heat also made 19 threes in a game 12 times in franchise history, with five of those 12 occasions coming in 2021-22.

Lowry a season ago made 144 total threes (144/382 3-Pt.), making over 130 triples for the ninth straight season and over 129 total made threes for the 12^th time in his first 16 NBA seasons.

The Heat’s stellar three-point shooting though came from their youngsters, led by the 2021-22 Kia Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro (20.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 44.7 FG% and 39.3 3-Pt.%). He was also a big part of why the Heat had the highest scoring bench in “The Association” in 2021-22 with an average of 40.5 points.

The No. 13 overall pick in 2019 out of the University of Kentucky bounced back after a really tough season to play at the level he did as a rookie in 2019-20. After making 116 threes in his rookie season (116/298 3-Pt.) in 2019-20 for 38.9 percent on his triple tries, Herro made just 107 threes (107/297 3-Pt.) in 2020-21. He totaled 175 total made threes a season ago (175/439).

                     Fastest to 300 Made Three-Pointers In Heat History                      
Duncan Robinson 95 Games: fastest to 300 made threes in league history
Tyler Herro 138 Games
Vashon Leonard 145 Games

                         NBA Bench Scoring Leaders 2021-22                               
Tyler Herro (MIA) 20.7                   Buddy Hield (SAC/IND) 14.0
Jordan Clarkson (UTA) 15.9          Kevin Love (CLE) 13.4
Kelly Oubre, Jr. (CHA) 14.7

His scoring averaged led all NBA reserves and set single-season Heat record with 1,162 points off the bench, scoring almost half of his team’s 3,322 total bench points a season ago. He also set a single-season franchise mark with 32 games scoring 20-plus points off the bench as part of 37 total 20-plus point games off the bench in 2021-22.

Herro also registered eight 30-plus point games as a reserve a season ago, with the next closet being Kelly Oubre, Jr. of the Hornets with three such games in 2021-22.

Herro scored a career-high 35 points with six boards on 11/18 shooting and 6/10 from three in the Heat aforementioned blowout win versus Hornets in the middle of April, which was also his 51^st career game scoring at least 20 points off the bench in his three NBA seasons with the Heat. Herro registered 26 of those 51 games in 2021-22 scoring 20 or more off the bench, well surpassing the 24 such games by former Heat All-Star guard Goran Dragic.

Most Games Scoring 20-Plus Points As a Reserve In Heat History
Tyler Herro: 51 and counting      James Johnson: 13
Goran Dragic: 24                          Wayne Ellington: 13
Kevin Edwards: 22                       Michael Beasley: 12
Tyler Johnson: 19                         Hassan Whiteside: 10
Dwyane Wade: 18

Herro missed 16 total games in 2021-22 due to a bruised right wrist; body soreness (two missed games Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 2021); bruised thigh (three straight games Dec. 15-21, 2021); health and safety protocols (three straight games Jan. 19-26); right knee soreness (three straight games Feb. 7-12); sprained left knee; and left knee soreness. 

On the surface, Duncan Robinson (10.9 ppg, 37.2 3-Pt.%) had a stellar third straight season of production from the Heat, making over 200 triples in total (232/624 3-Pt.).

                 200-Plus Made Three-Pointers In A Season In Heat History                         
Duncan Robinson 2019-20: 270         Wayne Ellington        2017-18: 227
Duncan Robinson 2020-21: 250         Damon Jones              2004-05: 225
Duncan Robinson 2021-22: 232         Tim Hardaway, Sr.    1996-97: 203  

Only Buddy Hield with Pacers and Kings totaled more games with two or more made threes than the 61 such games by Robinson a season ago.

Making at least one three in first 21 games of 2021-22, the undrafted player out of the University of Michigan in 2018 extended a franchise record to 69 consecutive games, surpassing the previous mark of 57 straight games making at least one triple in 2019-20 season.

In the Heat’s 124-102 win at the Bucks, Robinson made the 600^th three-pointer of his career, becoming the fastest player in league history to reach that milestone, surpassing now Cavaliers three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell, who hit that mark in his first 240 career games (all with Jazz).

In the Heat’s 105-94 defeat Dec. 13, 2021, at Cavaliers, Robinson surpassed Glen Rice’s franchise record of 174 consecutive games played that reached 182. It concluded in the Heat’s 120-110 victory at the Rockets as Robinson was ruled out being in health and safety protocol.

In the Heat’s 111-107 double-overtime win at Hornets, Robinson in his 216^th career game made his 700^th career triple, surpassing the previous league record holder in the previously mentioned Hield who made 700 career triples in his first 269 career NBA games.

Robinson though had his struggles shooting post All-Star break. While he continued to have a solid stroke from three at 39.7 percent, his overall shooting percentage was at just 40.6 percent. That proved to be an issue because without that, Robinson became a liability on the court.

The Heat turned to a couple of players they had developed to provide a spark on both ends undrafted guards Max Strus (10.6 ppg, 44.0 FG%, 41.0 3-Pt.%) and Gabe Vincent (8.7 ppg, 36.8 3-Pt.%).

Strus and Vincent, especially when the Heat had their injury issues stepped in and kept the train moving as both made 181 (118/442 3-Pt.) and 119 (119/313 3-Pt.) in total respectably a season ago.

As a starter, Strus who went undrafted out of the DePaul University and only had a cup of coffee (only two games) in 2019-20 with Bulls and had some brief moments in 39 games in 2020-21 with Heat eventually became a starter and flourished averaging 16.1 points on 49.2 percent from the floor and 46.9 percent from three-point range. Those starts included the final six games of 2021-22 in place of Robinson who had started the previous 42 games. The Heat went 14-2 last season when Strus started.

He scored 23 of his career-high 32 points in the opening half of the Heat’s 115-105 victory Dec. 17, 2021, at the Magic. Strus in the win was 11/15 from the field, including 8/11 from three.

In Strus’ 26-point performance, going 5/11 on his threes in the 115-112 win by the Heat over the Pistons on Dec. 23, 2021, he became the first player in Heat history with 100-plus points total on 20-plus made threes over a four-game span.

Vincent, who went undrafted out of University of California Santa Barbara went from a bench warmer to getting some burn in 2020-21 playing 50 games (seven starts) and averaged 4.8 points to playing 68 games (27 starts) and helped the Heat stay on top in the East, especially when Lowry missed time in 2021-22.

He really showed out in December 2021 and January 2022 averaging respectably 12.1 and 12.3 points on 37.6 and 43.3 percent from three-point range.

In the aforementioned win at the Magic in the middle of December 2021, Vincent scored a career-high 27 points on 10/20 shooting with four made threes (4/11 3-Pt.). That was on the heels of his previous career-high of 26 points on 8/16 from the field and 5/10 from three in the Heat’s 101-96 victory at 76ers.  

                                 Undrafted Players On Heat                                       
                                               NBA Debut                
Udonis Haslem                         2003
Dewayne Dedmon                   2013 w/Warriors
Duncan Robinson                    2018
Caleb Martin                           2019 w/Hornets
Max Strus                                2019 w/Bulls
Gabe Vincent                           2020
Omer Yurtseven                      2021

The Heat during the Pat Riley era have had players join their squad in trying to jumpstart their career or resurface to their once glorious beginning to such.

Reserve swingman Caleb Martin (9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 50.7 FG%, 41.3 3-Pt.%) became the latest in that long line of player of that for the Heat in 2021-22.

While he saw action in 53 games (three starts) last season for the Hornets, playing with his twin brother Cody, Caleb wanted to spread his wings and he flew like a Falcon with the Heat with career-highs in scoring, field goal percentage, three-point percentage and threes made with 64 (64/155 3-Pt.).

In 12 starts for the Heat in 2021-22, Caleb averaged 13.7 points and 5.3 rebounds on 52.8 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three-point range.

Martin too battle injuries a season ago missing 22 total games being in health and safety protocols (seven straight games Dec. 8-26, 2021); knee issue (three straight games Mar. 11-18) and bruised right calf (three straight games Mar. 28-Apr. 3).

When Adebayo was on the shelf early last season with the aforementioned thumb surgery, his understudy Omer Yurtseven (5.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 52.6 FG%) really shined and was too a major reason the Heat not only stayed afloat in the East but as previously mentioned stayed atop the East.

The undrafted rookie center out of Georgetown registered 14 straight games (Dec. 17, 2021-Jan. 15, 2022) with 10-plus rebounds, compiling all eight of his double-doubles in 2021-22 in that stretch. Yurtseven averaged 12.1 points and 12.7 boards on 50.8 percent shooting in 12 starts and the Heat went 8-4 in those contests.

Yurtseven had season-highs of 22 points and 16 rebounds on 11/18 shooting in the 115-113 loss by the Heat Jan. 2 at the Kings. He tied his season-high with 22 points and 11 rebounds on 10/12 from the floor in Heat’s 109-98 victory Jan. 15 versus 76ers.  

In one of the feel-good stories in the league a season ago was the return of two-time All-Star guard Victor Oladipo (12.4 ppg, 47.9 FG%, 41.7 3-Pt.%) on Mar. 7, where he had 11 points on 4/7 shooting, including 2/3 from three and four assists in 15 minutes off the bench in the 123-106 win versus the Rockets. It was his first game since Apr. 8 following a second surgery on his right quadricep tendon that shelved Oladipo first 65 games of 2021-22.

In the Heat’s regular-season finale Apr. 10 at Magic (125-111) loss, Oladipo had 40 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals on 13/22 shooting, including 5/11 from three. It was his first regular season double-double since registering 12 points and 10 boards with six assists with the Pacers Dec. 12, 2018 versus the Bucks. His 40-point performance is Oladipo’s most in a regular season game since scoring 36 points on 14/28 shooting, with four made threes (4/13 3-Pt.) with Pacers Jan. 4, 2019 at Bulls.

The backbone of the Heat for over a quarter century though has been playing consistent tough nose defense, which continued in 2021-22. They ranked No. 4 in opponent’s field goal percentage (44.7%); No. 2 in opponent’s three-point percentage (33.9%) and had a rebound differential of +2.0 (8^th NBA).

The Heat went 23-1 in 2021-22 when holding opponents under 100 points. Of their 31 wins by 10 points or more in 2021-22 by the Heat, nine of those wins came by 20 points or more.

When their top scoring bench scored 43-plus points in 2021-22, the Heat had a sparkling 30-4 mark.

The boys from South Beach were one of the few teams that had a stellar record against teams with .500 record or better (28-22) as well as against sub .500 teams at 25-7.

The other trademark of the Heat under Riley since 1995 is holding everyone in the organization from the top down accountable to do their job.  

One of those moments came when they lost four straight games (Mar. 21-28) at 76ers (Mar.  21: 113-106), versus Warriors (Mar. 23: 118-104), versus Knicks (Mar. 25: 111-103); and versus Nets (Mar. 26: 110-95) 

In all four of those Heat defeats, their opponent was missing their star player(s). The Warriors loss was the one that got the most attention because Butler and Udonis Haslem got during a timeout into a very heated discussion where that consisted of a lot of pointing fingers, while their teammates were trying to play peacemaker. It even led the very often mild tempered Coach Spoelstra to slamming his clipboard and even getting into it with Butler.

Most teams would allow that to be a major distraction. Not the Heat and they eventually were able to shake off that tough moment to win six straight games following that four-game skid, winning six out of their final seven games to close 2021-22.

During that six-game bounce back winning streak, the Heat averaged 121.2 points on 53.5 percent shooting, and 47.2 percent on their 16.8 made threes, with a point differential of +14.5. The defense was especially sensational for the Heat during this six-game run at the end of 2021-22 scoring 17.5 points off their opponent’s turnovers.   

The Heat’s quest for a fourth title began with a 4-1 First-Round victory over the Hawks.

They won Game 1 versus Hawks 115-91 Apr. 17 on TNT, shooting 52.4 percent from the field (43/82 FGs) and 18/38 from three. Had 35 assists on their 43 made field goals; outscored Hawks 38-26 in the paint; and forced 18 Hawks turnovers, 12 of which were steals.

Heat used a 15-6 in the second quarter to build a 15-point lead and led by as many as 32 points.

Robinson led the way with a playoff career-high 27 points going 9/10 shooting, including 8/9 from three-point range. Butler had 21 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Lowry had 10 points, nine assists and three steals.

Robinson eight made three set a single-game franchise playoff record, surpassing the seven triples made threes made by former Heat sharp-shooters Damon Jones and Mike Miller.

Robinson also made the second most threes in a playoff game all-time by a reserve, one shy of tying the nine made threes by Jason Terry in the 2011 West Semis against the Lakers and J.R. Smith for Cavaliers in 2015 Eastern Conference Finals against the Hawks.

Heat took Game 2 115-105 Apr. 19 on TNT, to go up in the series 2-0, breaking open a close contest outscoring the Hawks 31-22 in the third quarter and brought the lead to 16 points in early in the fourth quarter holding off a Hawks late rally.

Butler scored a playoff career-high 45 points with five rebounds, five assists, and two steals on 15/25 from the field, 4/7 from three-point range, and 11/12 from the free throw line. Two dunks dunk and a made three-pointer in the span of 56 seconds by Butler put the Heat up by 10 and sealed the win with 1:20 left in regulation. 

It was Butler’s third career 40-plus point game in the postseason and became the fifth player since 1978 to score 45 points with no turnovers. Butler scored or assisted on 24 of the Heat’s 31 third quarter points. His previous playoff career-high in scoring was 40, which he did twice in 2020 Playoffs in the restart.

Players With 45/5/5 (Points/Rebounds/Assists) In A Playoff Game In Heat History
Dwyane Wade Game 4 2010 First-Round versus Celtics: 46 points, five rebounds,
five assists.

LeBron James Game 6 2012 East Finals at Celtics: 45 points, 15 rebounds, five assists
19/26 field goals.

Jimmy Butler Game 2 2022 First Round versus Hawks: 45 points, five rebounds, five
assists, 15/25 field goals, 4/7 three-pointers, 11/12 free throws.

Most Points In A Playoff Game In Heat History
LeBron James 2014  49 points
Dwyane Wade 2010  46 points
Jimmy Butler  2022  45 points
LeBron James 2012  45 points

Herro scored 15 points off the bench. Strus had 14 points, two steals making three triples (3/8 3-Pt.). Vincent had 11 points and two steals making 3/5 from three.

The Heat saw their series lead cut to 2-1 falling at the Hawks 111-110 in Game 3 Apr. 22 on ESPN.

Heat took control of things outscoring Hawks 31-16 in the third period, after getting outscored 39-30 in the second quarter to trail 61-54 at half. They used a 21-0 run in a span of 4:18 (their longest scoring run in their postseason history to go up from down 68-63 to up 84-68 and led 85-77 after three quarters. Hawks though outscored Heat 34-25 in the fourth quarter. Butler’s potential game-winning three-pointer that he took off balance was short at the final horn.

3^rd Quarter                 MIA                ATL
Summary                     31      Pts         16
                                    11/22   FGs      6/17
                                     3/10   3-Pt.      2/7
                                     16      Rebs        3
                                      8  2^nd Chance  0
                                                 Pts         

While the Heat were 14/45 from three-point range in Game 3; outrebounded Hawks 45-26 (11-4 offensive rebounds) and had 26 second chance points, they only had 20 assists compared to the 23 helpers by the Hawks. 

Herro in the loss had 24 points and seven rebounds on 10/22 shooting with four made threes (4/11 3-Pt.). Butler, who had a playoff career-high 11 first quarter point and had 20 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals; Strus had 20 points on 5/10 from three and Adebayo 13 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Strus has scored in double-figures in scoring the last two games after just nine points on 3/8 shooting and 1/5 from three in Game 1. Adebayo had 13 points after just six and nine points respectably in Games 1 and 2.

The Heat took back control of the series winning Game 4 110-86 Apr. 24 on TNT, too take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series by breaking the game open outscoring the Hawks 30-15 in the third quarter going from eight down midway through the second quarter (37-29) went on a 15-0 run to close the second quarter and an 11-0 run in the same period to lead 55-41 at half and were up by as many as 27 points in the second half.

Butler led the way with his second straight double-double of 36 points and 10 rebounds with four steals on 12/21 from the field and 11/12 at the charity stripe. Adebayo had 14 points and eight boards. Strus hit four threes for 12 points. Vincent 11 points 3/6 threee-point range.

Butler had 13 of his 36 points in the second quarter.

Starting Five              MIA                ATL
Game 4                         87       Pts        50
                                    31/64   FGs     18/43
                                       2      TOS       12

Lowry (left hamstring strain) injured third quarter of Game 3 DNP.

Heat closed out the series in a nail biting 97-94 victory in Game 5 to win the series 4-1, winning their first Playoff series in three tries against the Hawks (lost 3-2 in First-Round: best-of-five in 1994 and 4-3 in First-Round in 2009).

The Heat reached the East Semis for the second time in the last five seasons.

Heat used a 17-0 run in the second quarter to lead 54-42 at half, outscoring the Hawks 33-20 in the period; led 67-52 with 2:55 left in the third quarter and were up 75-64 after three quarters and held off a Hawks rally by stopping the Hawks from making  a three on the final from connecting on a tying three-pointer.

Oladipo led the way with 23 points and three steals on 3/6 from three. Adebayo had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Herro had 16 points and Strus had 15 points, five boards, and two steals with three made triples (3/8 3-Pt.).

Heat outscored the Hawks 54-28 in the paint; 18-13 in second chance points; and forced 19 Hawks turnovers, with 12 of those 19 on steals.

For the series, the Heat held the Hawks to averages of 97.4 points on 44 percent from the floor and 33 percent on their triple tries.  

Oladipo had his first 20-point game in the postseason since 2020 with Pacers against the Heat. 

Butler (right knee inflammation) out, while Lowry (left hamstring strain) missed second straight game.

The Heat started strong in the East Semis taking a 2-0 lead over the 76ers.

They won Game 1 106-92 May 2 on TNT, taking a 14-point lead in the opening half before the 76ers went on a run that cut the Heat lead to 51-50 at intermission as the home team  went 1/9 for four points and four turnovers the final six minutes of the second quarter. They scored 18 points on nine possessions to go from down one to put by 10 in the third and used a 13-2 run early in the fourth quarter to lead 98-77.

Without Joel Embiid to tangle with due to an orbital fracture in his eye suffered in their opening round finale at the Raptors, the Heat outscored the 76ers 52-46 in the paint. Outrebounded them 47-37 (15-9 offensive boards) and 18-14 in second chance points. Outscored their visitors reserves 42-21 and scored 22 points off 15 76ers turnovers.

Herro had 25 points and seven assists on 9/17 shooting, including 4/6 from three. Adebayo had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Butler in his return from a one-game absence had 15 points, nine rebounds, and two steals.

Herro had his 5^th 20-plus point game of his postseason career, breaking Hall of Famer Ray Allen’s franchise mark for most 20-point games off the bench. He also tied Dwyane Wade’s mark for most 25-point games in Heat postseason history before the age of 23 with two. Herro became the first player in Heat postseason history with at least 25/5 (points/assists) of the bench.  

Adebayo, who finished the First-Round strong averaging 15.7 points and 10 rebounds on a combined 18/31 shooting (58%) had his third double-double of the postseason. He began the 2022 Playoffs averaging just 7.5 points and five boards on total of 4/11 shooting.

Heat won Game 2 119-103 May 4 on TNT going from a five-point deficit in the opening stanza to using a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to put the game away and led by as many as 18 points.

Adebayo had 23 points and nine rebounds on 9/11 from the floor. Butler had his third double-double of the postseason with 22 points and 12 assists with six rebounds and two steals. Oladipo had 19 points and six rebounds going 3/4 from three. Herro had 18 points and eight assists off the bench, going 3/5 from three. This included 16 points making three of his four triple tries in the opening half.

Butler, who had 12 points and three assists in the first quarter quarter on 4/7 from the field and 3/3 at the foul line scored or assisted on 20 of the Heat’s 31 first quarter points. 

Herro the first two games has outscored 76ers bench by himself (43-40) and made 7/11 from three compared to the 76ers 4/19 total by their reserves on their triple tries.

The tide turned as 76ers took both games on their home floor to even the series 2-2.

Heat lost Game 3 99-79 May 6 ESPN, and their series lead cut to 2-1 as they shot just 35.1 percent from the floor (27/77 FGs). Their 35 percent performance from the field in Game 3 was their worst in Playoff game since 2016. Had just 14 assists and went only 7/30 from three-point range. Their 79 points in Game 3 was their second worst in all of 2021-22.

Heat had 34 points in the first half, going 14/43 shooting (32.6 percent), including 2/16 from three-point range with seven turnovers. Those 34 points are the fewest for Heat in the opening half on the season since scoring 33 points Nov. 21, 2021 at Celtics.

The visitors to Philadelphia were just 3/11 from the floor in the first half and 4/17 shooting in Game 3 with 76ers Joel Embiid as the primary defender.

Butler led the way with 33 points and nine rebounds on 12/22 shooting and 8/10 free throws. Herro was the only other Heat player to score in double figures with 14 points on just 5/15 shooting, including 1/7 from three. The rest of the Heat starters combined for 22 points on 9/27 from the field.

The series would be tied 2-2 after Heat lost Game 4 116-108 at 76ers May 8 on TNT.

The Heat overcame a 10-point late second quarter deficit and an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to pull within five points in the final period but never got the lead

The Heat dominated like they did in Games 1 and 2 at home outscoring the 76ers 48-34 in the paint; 28-19 in bench points; forced 17 76ers turnovers that led to 25 points, registering nine steals.

The difference was at the three-point line where the Heat were just 7/35 compared to the 16/33 marksmanship from three-point range by the 76ers.

It was another great performance by Butler that went to waist with 40 points, six assists, two steals and two blocks on 13/20 shooting and 12/13 at the foul line. Adebayo had 21 points and seven rebounds on 9/12 from the field. Oladipo had 15 points, three steals and two blocks on 8/10 from the charity stripe. Herro had his second career Playoff double-double of 11 points and 10 boards but again shot poorly going 4/12 from the floor, including 1/5 on his threes.

Butler had his second 40-point performance so far in 2022 Playoffs and his fourth 40-point game in his postseason career with the Heat, the second most in franchise Playoff history. He had 17 points on 5/6 from the field and 6/6 from the foul line in the third quarter.

Herro after beginning the East Semis 15/27 shooting and 7/11 from three-point range the first two games at home, went a combined 9/27 from the field and 3/12 on his triple tries in Games 3 and 4 at 76ers.

The Heat stopped their slide winning Game 5 back at home 120-85 May 10 on TNT to take a 3-2 series lead.

They dominated the 76ers in the opening period outscoring them 31-19 and had an exceptional finish scoring 12 straight points to open the fourth quarter outscoring their visitors 39-19 in the fourth quarter in a game that they led by as many as 37 points.

Heat outscored 76ers in Game 5 56-36 in the paint; 41-27 in bench points; scored 23 points off 16 76ers turnovers. Had 26 assist on their 45 made shots, shooting 53.6 percent from the field 45/84 FGs) in the swing game, including 13/33 from three-point range. 

The Heat’s 35-point win in Game 5 matched the second largest margin of victory in franchise Playoff history (won Game 1 best-of-five First-Round versus Magic 99-64).

Butler was solid with 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Strus had his first career double-double (regular season or Playoffs) with 19 points and 10 rebounds, going 4/10 from three. Vincent had 15 points and five boards. Oladipo had 12 points. Adebayo also had 12 points with six rebounds and two blocks. Herro added 10 points.

Heat now 6-0 at home in the 2022 Playoffs, winning five of those six home games by double-digits, improving to 18-4 all-time in Game 5s in their postseason history.

The Heat closed the door on 76ers season winning Game 6 at Philadelphia 99-90 to win the series 4-2, who after leading by as many as eight points in the opening period and led 49-48 at half used a 16-2 run in the third quarter outscoring 76ers 25-15 in period to lead74-63 after three quarters and led by as many as 20 points in the second half.

Heat improved to 2-3 on road (6-0 at home) in 2022 Playoffs and are 6-1 in their seven East Semifinal appearances under Coach Spoelstra and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in the last three seasons and for the ninth time in franchise history. This will their sixth appearance in the East Finals out of their nine overall appearances under Coach Spoelstra.

The Heat improved to 7-1 in closeout Game 6s in the Playoffs since 2006, winning their 30^th series in their postseason history and closing out a Playoff series in their first try for the 12^th time their last 17 chances.

Heat outrebounded 76ers 49-35 (13-6 offensive boards). Outscored 76ers 62-48 in the paint; 17-9 in second chance points; scored 22 points off 13 76ers turnovers. They shot 48.3 percent overall from the field (42.87 FGs) despite just 7/28 on their threes and just 8/11 at the foul line. Butler 32 points, eight boards on 13/29 shooting. Strus had his second straight double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds with five assists hitting 4/10 from three. Herro and Adebayo (eight boards and two steals) each scored 10.

Butler Last Four    Game 3: 33 points        Game 5: 23 points
Games of Series     Game 4: 40 points        Game 6: 33 points

Butler came into Game 6 averaging for the series 10.8 points in the third quarter. In Game six, Butler had 14 points on 6/9 shooting in the third after just nine points on 3/10 shooting in the first half.

This was Butler’s fourth straight 30-point game on the road, tied with Dwyane Wade (2005) for the longest such streak in franchise Playoff history. Butler entered the Game 6 of this series averaging 36.5 points on 60 percent from the field, making 30 total free throws on the road.

The rest of the Heat entered Game 6 averaging a combined 57 points on 34 percent from the field and 23 made free throws. In Game 6 at the 76ers the rest of team outside of Butler had 67 points on 31/58 shooting.

Heat outscored 76ers in Game 5 56-36 in the paint; 41-27 in bench points; scored 23 points off 16 76ers turnovers. Had 26 assist on their 45 made shots, shooting 53.6 percent from the field 45/84 FGs) in the swing game, including 13/33 from three-point range. 

Lowry (left hamstring) missed six out of the last eight games. 

The Heat had a dominant second half in taking down the Celtics 118-107 in Game 1 of the East Finals May 17 on ESPN to take a 1-0 series lead.

Heat who trailed by 13 points in the second quarter and 62-54 at the half open the third quarter on a 22-2 tun and an 11-0 run to close the third quarter outscoring their visitors 39-14 in the third to lead 96-76 after three going from down by as many as 13 to up by as many as 20. The Celtics rallied to cut the Heat lead to nine points with 7:25 left in the game but never got closer.  

Heat’s point differential of +25 in the third quarter of Game 1 was their second best in a quarter on the season (point differential of +27 in third period Apr. 5 versus the Hornets).

3^rd Quarter Summary           BOS                 MIA
from Game 1                           14      Points      39
                                                2/15      FGs      11/22
                                                 0/7      3-Pt.        4/9
                                                   4   Paint Pts     12
                                                   8  Turnovers    4

Butler had 41 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three block shots, going 12/19 shooting and 17/18 at the charity stripe. Herro had 18 points and eight rebounds, scoring 15 of his 18 points in the first half. Vincent had 17 points and three blocks, going 3/7 from three. Strus had 11 points and two steals making three triples. Adebayo had 10 points and four steals.

Butler Game   1^st Half: 14 points, 4/8 field goals, 6/6 free throws
East Finals     2^nd Half: 27 points, 8/11 field goals, 11/12 free throws 

Butler outscored Celtics by himself 17-14 in the third quarter. He had his fifth career 40-plus point game with the Heat, only Dwyane Wade has more such games with seven. Joined Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar along with Lakers Anthony Davis and 76ers James Harden to register 41 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three blocks in a game in NBA history. Butler is the first to do that in a Playoff game and the second in NBA postseason history with 40 points, three steals and three blocks in Conference/Divisional Finals game, joining Michael Jordan. Butler also joined the Lakers LeBron James, Harden, Jordan and fellow Hall of Famer Allen Iverson to have scored 40 points in each of first three rounds of a postseason.

Heat outscored Celtics 34-26 in bench points; scored 19 points off 16 Celtics turnovers. The Heat for the second time in their postseason history had 10-plus steals (10) and 10-plus blocks (12). Their 12 block shots in Game 1 set a single-game franchise playoff record.

Butler in Game 1 versus Celtics had his fifth career 40-plus point game in the Playoffs, including his third of this postseason. Became the eighth player in 24-second shot clock era (1954-55) with at least five career 40-point games in postseason on 60 percent shooting. Registered his third career game of 40/5/5 (points/rebounds/assists) with the Heat, most in their postseason history.

The series was even as the Celtics beat the Heat 127-102 in Game 2 May 19 ESPN in suffering their first loss at home in the 2022 Playoffs, now 7-1 at FTX Arena.

Their 25-point loss at home in Game 2 was their fourth largest margin of defeat at home in their Playoff history.

Butler 29 points and six boards on 11/18 shooting and 6/8 at the foul line. Oladipo 14 points on 9/10 at the foul line. Vincent also had 14 points on 4/8 from three-point range.

Heat trailed the first two games of the series at half 62-54 in Game 1 and 70-45 in Game 2.

Lowry (left hamstring) missed fourth straight game and eight out of the last 10 games.

Heat regained the series advantage winning at the Celtics 109-103 May 21 on ESPN to take a 2-1 series lead in a contest they led wire-to-wire up by as many as 26 points early in the second quarter after leading 39-18 after the first period.

When the Celtics cut the Heat lead to 93-92 with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter, the Heat scored seven straight points, including a three-pointer by Strus and a field goal by Adebayo at the shot clock buzzer.

Heat, who had 19 steals, scored 33 points off 24 Celtics turnovers as they improved to 62-0 in their postseason history when leading by double-digits after three quarters.

Butler, who had eight points and two steals on 3/8 shooting suffered from right knee inflammation and did not return in the second half. 

Adebayo, who averaged eight points and 6.5 rebounds first two games of the series led the way with 31 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and four steals on 15/22 shooting. Strus had 16 points on 4/7 from three. Lowry who returned from a four-game absence and missed eight out of the previous 10 games had 11 points, six assists and four steals in 29 minutes on 4/11 shooting, including 2/7 from three.

In Game 3, Adebayo scored 26 of his 31 points in the paint. He scored 16 points on 8/9 shooting in the paint and accounted for 30 of the Heat’s 62 first points counting his points and six first half assists. His Heat teammates scored 14 points on 6/7 from the floor off Adebayo’s passes.

Starting Centers To Lead Their Team In Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, And Blocks InA Playoff Win Since 1973-74  
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1977            Hakeem Olajuwon: 1994, 1995, 1996
Dikembe Mutombo 1994                  Bam Adebayo (MIA) 2022

Heat had the tables turned on them in Game 4 falling at the Celtics 102-82 May 23 on ABC as series became tied 2-2.

The Heat never led in Game 4 down by as many as 27 points in the first half and trailed in the contest by as many as 32 points.

Oladipo had 23 points and six assists (7/16 FGs) making 4/7 from three-point range. Robinson had 14 points on 5/11 shooting, including 4/8 from three-point. Martin 12 points and six rebounds (5/10 FGs) on 2/5 from three.

The Heat’s starting quintet in Game 4 totaled 18 points on 7/36 shooting, including 1/10 from three-point range. Those 18 points are the fewest by a starting unit in a Playoff game since starters began being tracked in 1970-71.

The visitors from South Beach began Game 4 scoring just one point, on an Adebayo free throw the first eight minutes, the lowest in a playoff game by a team in the last 25 years, per ESPN Stats & Information. Their first made field goal, a three-pointer by Oladipo  at the 3:22 mark of the opening period after the Heat began 0/14 shooting.

The Heat totaled a franchise playoff first quarter low of 11 points going 3/20 shooting. Their 0/14 start from the field in Game 4 longest streak by any team to open a Playoff game in last 25 seasons. They began Game 5 1/16 shooting.

The Heat managed just 33 points in the opening half of Game 4 on 28 percent from the floor (11/39 FGs), being outrebounded by the Celtics 34-19, including 10-4 on the offensive glass.

Herro (groin) and Butler (right knee inflammation) out for Game 4.

The offensive struggles continued for the Heat in their setback in Game 5 93-80 at home versus Celtics May 25 on ESPN.   

The Heat outscored the Celtics 38-19 in bench points; outrebounded the Celtics 49-46, including 19-6 on the offensive glass, and outscored them 24-4 in second chance points. But only shot 31.9 percent from the field (30/94 FGs), including 7/45 from three and only outscored them 40-36 in the paint.

This was the first time in franchise history that the Heat shot under 35 percent from the floor in consecutive games.

Outside of Adebayo, who had his fifth double-double of this postseason with 18 points and 10 rebounds on 8/15 shooting and Vincent, who had 15 points on 6/12 from the floor, the rest of the Heat struggled offensively.

Heat Shooting                   Butler:  13 points 4/18 FGs: 1/5 3-Pt.
Struggles In Game 5        Strus:    4 points   0/9 FGs:  0/7 3-Pt.
                                           Lowry:   0 points 0/6 FGs: 0/5 3-Pt.
                                           Oladipo:  3 points 1/7 FGs: 0/3 3-Pt.
                                           Robinson: 11 points 4/12 FGs: 3/10 3-Pt.
                                           Martin:   7 points 3/7 FGs: 1/3 3-Pt.

Butler So Far      Games 1-2: 35 points,7.5 rebounds, 62.2 FG%, 13 free throw attempts
2022 East Finals Games 3-5: 14. Points 5.3 rebounds, 42.5 FG% 3.3 free throw attempts

Heat forced a winner take all for the Eastern Conference crown winning Game 6 at the Celtics 111-103 May 27 ESPN to tie the series 3-3.

Heat led for the majority of Game 6 up by as many as 10 points in the first period and led in the game by as many as 13 points. After leading 48-46 at half, the Heat outscored the Celtics 34-29 in the third quarter to lead 82-75 after three quarters. Down 97-94 with under five minutes left in their season, a three-pointer by Lowry to answer the Celtics triple by Derrick White and added two free throws moments later that ignited a 17-6 closing run, that included a 12-4 run to end the game when it was tied at 99-99.

Butler led the way with a playoff career-high 47 points with nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals on 16/29 shooting, including 4/8 from three-point land and 11/11 at the free throw line. Lowry had 18 points and 10 assists, going 4/9 from three. Strus 13 points making three triples (3/8 3-Pt.).

Heat in Game 6 shot 46.2 percent from the field (36/78 FGs); made 15/35 from three-point range and 24/25 at the foul line. Had 25 assists on their 36 made shots. Scored 22 points off 18 Celtics turnovers, 10 of which were on steals.

Heat starters in Game 6 totaled 95 points, 24 rebounds, 23 assists, and eight steals on 32/65 shooting and 13/27 from three-point range. Heat starting quintet averaged 30 points on 22/91 shooting from the field.

Strus had 11 points on 4/6 from the field, including 3/5 from three in third quarter. Lowry had his first double-double of the 2022 Playoffs after totaling 21 points the first five games of the series.

Butler entered Game 6 averaging nine points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists totaling 10/40 shooting, including 1/7 from three and 6/6 the Games 3-5.

                   Jimmy Butler’s Superlatives In Game 6 At the Celtics                                 
Scored or assisted on 24 of the Heat’s 29 first quarter points.
Had 17 of his 26 second half points in the fourth quarter on 6/9 shooting.
Became first player with two 45-point games in franchise Playoff history.
Had his sixth career 40-point game in the postseason with the Heat.
His 47 points the second most in a game in Heat postseason history to
49 points by LeBron James in Game 4 May 12, 2014 East Semis at the Nets.
Had his fourth 40-Point game this postseason with Heat: most in their postseason history.
His 47 points seventh most in NBA Postseason history by a player when facing elimination.
Joined LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as the only players in Heat history with multiple
40-plus point games in the postseason.

Most Points In A Playoff Win At Celtics In NBA History
1962 Elgin Baylor 61 Points w/Lakers
1960 Wilt Chamberlin 50 Points /Philadelphia Warriors
2022 Jimmy Butler 47 points w/Heat
2012 LeBron James (LAL) w/Heat

Herro (groin strain) missed third straight game.

The Heat came up short in Game 7 versus Celtics 100-96 May 29 ESPN, losing the series 4-3.

They overcame a 17-point in second quarter cutting their deficit behind an 11-2 run to only trail 55-49 at the half as they outscored the Celtics 32-23 in the second quarter after being down 32-17 after the opening period. Down 98-87 with three minutes left in their season, the Heat went on a 9-0 to draw within 98-96 capped by a three-pointer from Strus with 51 seconds left in regulation. With a chance to take the lead in the final seconds, Butler’s go-ahead three-pointer missed and the Celtics closed out the Heat moments later with two free throws.

Butler led the way in defeat with 35 points and nine boards on 13/24 shooting and 8/11 at the foul line. Adebayo had 25 points and 11 rebounds on 12/21 from the field. Lowry had 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals but was just 4/12 from the floor and 1/6 from three.

Heat for Game 7 shot just 42 percent (37/88 FGs), including 6/30 on their triples and 16/24 at the foul line, including going 12/19 at the line in the second quarter, with Butler going 7/10, and Lowry and Adebayo connecting on 4/6 and 1/3 respectably at the line. 

Butler who played all 48 minutes in Game 7 for the first time since 2014 had 31 points on 12/18 shooting the first three quarters, including 18 of his 24 first half points in the second quarter, tying a Playoff career-high in a quarter. But had just four points on 2/6 shooting in the fourth quarter as his 82 total points in Games 6 and 7 is a career-best in a two-game span of his postseason career.  

Strus had just eight points on 3/10 from the field, including 2/7 from three in Game 7, going 8/22 from the field and 5/15 from three total in Games 6 and 7 of the series. Lowry went 9/26 shooting, including 5/15 from three the last two games of the series.

Oladipo in Game 7 had just nine points with five boards on 4/12 shooting and 1/7 on his triple tries.

The Heat 2022 offseason began with the selection of forward Nikola Jovic at No. 27 in the 2022 Draft from Serbia. A super skilled shooter with lead guard skills of playmaking for his teammates.

“This was just a dream come true for me and now dream comes true,” Jovic said to ESPN Monica McNutt on Draft night back on June 23 about being drafted into the NBA. “I’m real lucky to be here right now. Thankful for Miami organization seeing me as a good talen and drafting me.”

The 19-year-old 6-foot-10 forward impressed in the junior league since turning pro at age 13. Given the stable of wings the Heat have on their roster currently, Jovic will more than likely begin 2022-23 on the bench. Then again, as shown last season, he could be like Strus, Yurtseven, and Martin who impressed quickly and played well when inserted in the lineup.

The two major benefits of Riley’s remarkable work in locating assets and stockpiling over the past few seasons is they have managed to remain out of serious cap purgatory, thanks in large part to their aforementioned cap guru in Elisburg to continue to a playoff perennial on the hardwood. Those cumulative assets the Heat try to use to swap for an All-Star if one becomes available.

The Heat became a logical destination for the supposed disgruntled All-Star Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets. It made sense for the Heat to seek a game-changing talent and champion that would be ideal to go alongside Butler, Lowry, and Adebayo. However, those plans are off the table as Durant and the Nets front office ironed things out at least for now. On top of that, the Nets asked for the moon for Durant, which for sure included Adebayo, which also had the Heat hang up the phone.

The other person mentioned in those trade talks involving Durant was Herro, who fits the Nets’ profile of a young player who has star potential.

The Heat spent the summer contemplating whether to give Herro his rookie contract extension before the Oct. 18 deadline or wait until the end of the 2022-23 season since they hold a team option on him. The reason is to keep him as trade bait.

The decided not to wait any longer giving the Kia Sixth Man of the Year for 2021-22 a four-year, $120 million extension that could reach with incentive, $130 million, which kicks in 2023-24.

“It’s a really good feeling,” Herro said on Oct. 3 on signing his extension. “When I came here, I had a dream of getting paid by the Heat and being here for a while and bringing a championship here.”

With Herro signed and not having to go through restricted free agency in summer of 2023 and receiving an offer sheet the Heat could not match, he cannot be traded before Jan. 15 and he has veto power for one year on any trade. 

For Herro, he has proven he can score in bunches. What is next for him is to be a more all-around player who can create for others as well as become a better defender.

The bill came due for three of the Heat’s free agents and while they were able to re-sign Oladipo (two-year, $18 million deal); Martin (three-year, $6.5 million deal); Dewayne Dedmon (two-year, $9 million deal); and Udonis Haslem (one-year, $1.8 million deal); they said goodbye to P.J. Tucker, exercising his one-year option and becoming a free agent.

He will not be easy to replace as Riley values, tough defensive minded players, who fit their role offensively.

The first option will likely be Butler as he told NBATV’s Taylor Rooks on Media Day when asked about if he will shoot more threes this season.

“I got to bang down there with the like the power forwards and centers. So, I going to be on the block,” Butler said. “I’ll pump fake and get a wide open three just to in there and hit somebody.”

Outside of losing Tucker, the Heat will be rolling it back with a roster that in certain spots will have some greybeards in Butler, 33 and Lowry 36. Even though players are still effective, the age and treed they put on their tires is unfortunately going to bring with it the possibility of them being on the shelf at times this upcoming season.

Lowry, who averaged just 7.8 points, 4.7 assists, on 29.1 percent shooting and 24.1 percent from three-point range brought his steady leadership and veteran savvy. It all comes down to health for both mental and physical. The comfort level between Lowry and the Heat should be even higher with Lowry and his teammates.

“It’s a lot easier now,” Lowry said at Media Day Sept. 26 about his grasp of team and living in Miami. “I know where I’m going. I know the situation. I know the team. I know what Spo wants. I know what Jimmy wants. I just know the guys a lot more. And for me, I was able to have a full summer and that was important for me.” 

With Tucker gone, that means more responsibility for Adebayo to handle things on the interior on both ends. They especially need him to be more aggressively offensively at the mid-post, off the pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll, which he said at Media Day he is up for raising he production level offensively and his rebounding.  

“To the outside noise, it just builds that deep anger to prove you wrong,” Adebayo said about how ready is to take his game to another level.

“We’ve came close. But we’ve haven’t gotten there and to be locked in for the next five years means a lot to me because the goal is to win a championship and we feel like we can do that.”

Another player that could be a factor for the Heat is Oladipo, who just four years ago was a two-time All-Star with the Pacers and was in line for a major contract extension north of $100 million before a quad injury wrecked those plans. He also turned down a two-year $45 million deal with the Rockets in 2021. Oladipo remains a solid player who now healthy for the first time in four years could push for a major minutes in the rotation.  

“I don’t limit myself at all in life period” Oladipo said at Media Day about getting back to the level he played at before the injuries. “I don’t see why I can’t be better than I was. I don’t believe it’s going to happen overnight and I don’t believe it’s going to be easy. But I believe it can get it done.”

The Miami Heat came within one jumper of being in The Finals. They have nearly all of their core players of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, and Tyler Herro under contract for the next few seasons. They have young sharp-shooters in Max Strus, Duncan Robinson, and Gabe Vincent and a solid young big man in Omer Yurtseven who got valuable experience last season and will look to build on that in 2022-23. They also have one of the best head coaches in the game in Erik Spoelstra and a front office led by Pat Riley that are ready to make any move necessary to make the Heat a champion again.

It just comes down to health and sticking to their defensive and hold each other accountable principles for the Heat to be competing for a title in 2022-23.  

“Ultimately, all of this is bigger than each one of us. And what we’re trying to do is going to require great leadership and sacrifice, you know. We have the kind of guys that understand that” Coach Spoelstra said about the Heat on Sept. 28.

“We have a lot of fire power. We have a lot of talent. We have a lot of defensive versatility. There’s a lot of really encouraging things about our roster makeup and our depth. And we intend on using all of that. How that is going to play out right, you know, I don’t know. But I do like the possibilities.”  

Best Case Scenario: The Heat are a Top 3 Seed in East. Butler, Adebayo, and Herro are in the conversation to all be All-Stars make the All-Star team. Adebayo is in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. The Heat area a Top 5 Defense again. The Heat are in the Conference Finals, possibly representing the East in The Finals in June 2023.

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

Grade: B

Milwaukee Bucks: 51-31 (1^st Central Division; No. 3 Seed in East; 27-14 at home, 24-17 on the road); Defeated the No. 6 Seeded Chicago Bulls 4-1 in East Quarterfinals. Lost No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics 4-3 in East Semifinals.

-115.5 ppg-3^rd; opp. ppg: 112.1-19^th; 46.7 rpg-2^nd

Over the past two seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks made the decision to pace themselves in the regular season and not push for the best record in the league. It worked two seasons back as they won their first title in 50 years. While they dealt with the injury bug a little big a season ago, they still positioned themselves for a solid playoff run. Those championship dreams were denied first due to an injury to a key member of their “Core Three” and that resulted in a Second-Round exit at the hands of the eventual Eastern Conference champions.

The Bucks started 2021-22 slowly at 6-8 dealing with some early season injuries. But an eight-game winning streak (Nov. 17, 2021-Dec. 2, 2021) got them on track where they went 45-23 the rest of the season, including a 33-21 mark their final 54 games, and a 201- mark their final 30 games of 2021-22 to register their 16^th 50-plus win season in franchise history. They also won their 17^th Central Division title in their history.  

It was their fourth winning streak of eight or more games under Coach Budenholzer.

Bucks Longest Winning Streaks Under Head Coach Mike Budenholzer Since 2019-20 Season
18 in 2019-20
9 in 2019-20
8 in 2021-22 (Nov. 17, 2021-Dec. 1, 2021)
8 in 2020-21
6 in 2021-22 (Dec. 22, 2021-Jan. 1, 2022)
6 2021-22 (Feb. 28-Mar-12, 2022)

Leading the way for head coach Mike Budenholzer’s squad was the All-Star trio of  and his  Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.9 ppg-2^nd NBA, 11.6 rpg-6^th NBA, 5.8 apg, 55.3 FG%), Khris Middleton (20.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 5.4 apg, 44.3 FG%, 37.3 3-Pt.%) and Jrue Holiday (18.3 ppg, 6.8 apg, 4.5 rpg, 1.6 spg, 50.1 FG%, 41.4 3-Pt.%) who became the first trio in NBA history were all three averaged 18 points and five assists per contest in a season.

The Bucks “Core Three” dealt with some nicks and bruises a season ago, and as a result, the Bucks had their struggles at times. But when all three were available, the Bucks were virtually unbeatable, especially from February on.  

The Bucks went 37-10 with Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Holiday in the lineup a season ago including 22-2 from February until the close of 2021-22. When one or two or all three were absent, the Bucks were just 14-21. 

Antetokounmpo missed 16 games due to illness, a sore right knee and a right ankle sprain and the Bucks went 6-0 without him.

Middleton in 2021-22 missed eight games (Oct. 31-Nov. 17, 2021) due to health and safety protocols and three games (Dec. 15-Dec. 18, 2021) with a hyperextended left knee. He missed 16 games in total in 2021-22 and Bucks went 7-9 without Middleton.

Bucks really struggled when Holiday totaled 15 games missed a season ago going 5-12 without him because of sprained left ankle (five missed games Oct. 25-Nov. 2, 2021; five games Jan. 7-17).  

The Bucks went 18-1 in 2021-22 when Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Holiday combined for 71-plus points, including 9-0 when they combined for 80-plus points.

That trio was a big reason the Bucks went 49-21 a season ago when they scored at least 100 points (2-10 when they scored under 100 points). That also included a 38-4 when they scored 117 points or more, including a 30-2 mark when they scored 120 points or more.   

Antetokounmpo, who just seems to get better and better year-in and year-out was just as exceptional a season ago.

The six-time All-Star and two-time league MVP registered 46 double-doubles (T-3^rd NBA w/76ers Joel Embiid), including four of now 29 career triple-doubles. The now four-time All-NBA First Team Selection (2019-2022) had 35 games with 30-plus points (3^rd NBA), including 10 games scoring 40-plus points (T-2^nd NBA w/Hawks Trae Young).

Only DeMar DeRozan of the Bulls totaled more points in the fourth quarter (612) than Antetokounmpo’s 528 that he totaled in the fourth quarter in 2021-22. Antetokounmpo also finished second behind DeRozan (8.3) in scoring average at 8.1

Only Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets averaged 25-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and six-plus assists in 2021-22.

Only LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant of the Nets, Jokic and the four-time All-Defensive First Team selection in Antetokounmpo averaged 25-plus points and six-plus assists.

Players To Average 25-Plus Points on 50 Percent From Field 2021-22
Joel Embiid (PHI)                         Kevin Durant (BKN)
LeBron James (LAL)                    DeMar DeRozan (CHI)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL)   Nikola Jokic (DEN)

In the Bucks Feb. 15 128-119 win versus the Pacers, Antetokounmpo had his third career 50-point game, going 17/21 from the field and 14/18 at the foul line with 14 rebounds.  

Antetokounmpo, who was also named to the NBA 75^th Anniversary team a season ago continued to etch his name in the Bucks history books last season also.

He surpassed former Buck Sidney Moncrief (4,214) for the most career free throw attempts in team history now at 4,873 and counting.

With 41 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks in the Bucks 123-114 victory at the Rockets on Dec. 11, 2021, Antetokounmpo became the Bucks all-time leader in blocks shots at 805 passing the 804 rejections by former Buck Alton Lister.

In the Bucks 120-119 overtime victory Mar. 31 at the Nets on TNT, Antetokounmpo with a three-pointer that tied the score 110-110 with 18 seconds left in regulation passed Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the Bucks all-time leading scorer. That history shot was part of Antetokounmpo’s 44-point performance, with 14 rebounds, six assists on 14/21 from the floor and 15/19 at the charity stripe.

Bucks All-Time Scoring List           
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 14,321
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 14,211
Glenn Robinson: 12,010
Sidney Moncrief: 11,594
Michael Redd: 11,554
Bob Dandridge: 11,478
Marques Johnson: 10,980
Khris Middleton: 10,971

Most Consecutive Season Averaging 25-Plus Points On 55-Plus FG%
Adrian Dantley 5 (1979-84)
Giannis Antetokounmpo 4 (2018-22)
Shaquille O’Neal 4 (1999-03) w/Lakers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3 (1970-73)
Shaquille O’Neal 2 (1993-95) w/Magic

Most Career Triple-Doubles By A Player 6’11’’ Or Taller In NBA History
Wilt Chamberlin 78              Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 29
Nikola Jokic (DEN) 76          Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 21
Ben Simmons (BKN) 32

Last season, Middleton totaled 162 made threes (162/434), the second most he has made in a season in his 10 NBA seasons. He totaled 25 20-plus point games, including four 30-plus point as well as 12 games of at least 20/5/5 (points/rebounds/assists). 

In the Bucks 109-102 victory on Nov. 17, 2021, versus Lakers on ESPN, Middleton (16 points, six assists, five rebounds) hit two threes to tie Hall of Famer Ray Allen for the most made threes in team history. Three days later in the Bucks 96-89 victory versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, Middleton (16 points, eight boards) went 3/8 from three-point range and surpassed Allen for the most made triples in Bucks history, now at 1,216 and counting.

Player With 10,000-Plus Career Points and 2,000-Plus Career Assists In Bucks History
                                                Points              Assists
Giannis Antetokounmpo      14,321             3,020
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar         14,211             2,008
Sidney Moncrief                    11,594             2,689
Khris Middleton                    11,136             2,461

Before Holiday joined the Bucks last season, they seemed to be a team was good that was missing something. Holiday was that missing piece and has continued to be that cog that makes the Bucks go on both ends.

The now two-time All-Defensive selection (2019, 2022) and two-time Twyman-Stokes Teammate Award recipient had 12 double-doubles a season ago, his fourth straight season and fifth time in the last six seasons he totaled double-digits in double-doubles.

He also made 132 total threes a season ago (132/321), the sixth consecutive season he has made 100-plus triples. Holiday registered a career-best streak of 28 consecutive games making at least one three-pointer (Jan. 8-Apr. 8).

In the Bucks 116-112 overtime loss Dec. 17, 2021, at the Pelicans, Holiday scored a career-high 40 points on 18/36 from the field with five assists, five rebounds and two steals.

In the Bucks 132-122 victory Mar.6 versus the Suns on ABC, Holiday had 24 points, nine assists and four steals making 4/5 from three, which included a 17-point effort on 5/6 from the field and 3/3 from three in the fourth quarter.

In that performance Holiday and Middleton, who scored 16 of his season-high 44 points (eight rebounds, five assists, 16/27 FGs: 5/9 3-Pt., 7/7 FTs) became the first Bucks teammates to each score at least 15 points in the final period in the same game in the last 25 seasons, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Complimenting the Bucks trio over the past couple of seasons has been Bobby Portis (14.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 47.9 FG%, 39.3 3-Pt.%), Brook Lopez (12.4 ppg, 46.6 FG%, 35.8 3-Pt.%), Pat Connaughton (9.9 ppg, 45.8 FG%, 39.5 3-Pt.%) and newest addition last summer Grayson Allen (11.1 ppg, 44.8 FG%, 40.9 3-Pt.%).

Portis, who did miss 10 games due to injury/illness a season ago had a career-year in 2021-22 with 1,052 total points scored; 24 double-doubles; and 133 triples made (133/338).

He had a string of 30 straight games (Nov. 7, 2021-Jan. 8, 2022) where he scored in double-figures, reaching 10-plus points 57 times a season ago, including a career-high 15 games scoring 20-plus points.

In the Bucks 117-108 victory versus the Orlando Magic Nov. 20, 2021, Antetokounmpo (32 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, 15/23 FTs) and Portis (24 points, 15 rebounds, 6/7 3-Pt.) became the first Buck teammates with 20-plus points and 15-plus rebounds in same game since Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Curtis Penny did it on Jan 11, 1974.

In that same game, Antetokounmpo became the first player in the NBA since 1951-52 season with 30-plus points, 20-plus rebounds, five-plus assists in 30 minutes of action.

One major reason why the Bucks continued to be one of the best three-point shooting teams in recent years, including last season where they ranked fifth three-point percentage (36.6%); fourth in made threes (14.1) and fifth in attempts (38.4) is because of Middleton, Holiday, Portis, Connaughton, and Allen, who made a career-high 159 triples (159/389 3-Pt.%).

His marksmanship from distance was especially huge when Connaughton on the shelf for 17 games because of a broken bone in his thumb (Feb. 14-Mar. 16) that he injured in the third quarter of the Bucks 131-107 loss Feb 10 on TNT at the Suns.

To illustrate how solid Connaughton has been off the bench for the Bucks, he has totaled 101 and 146 (career-high) made threes respectably the last two seasons. In 2021-22 Connaughton scored in double-figures a career-high 32 times, which included career-best  five games of 20-plus points.

They also had veteran guard George Hill (6.2 ppg) on shelf for 28 games, including missing 18 straight games (Jan. 30-Mar. 12) because of a sore neck.

Under Coach Budenholzer, the Bucks have not only been one of the better offensive teams in “The Association,” They have been one of the better defensive teams.

Last season though, the Bucks defense had some slippage particularly in the paint. The Bucks defensive philosophy was to force their opponents to shoot contested shots from the perimeter. That is why they have allowed three of the top seven highest average threes made by their opponents (14.0, 14.5: 2021-22; 14.8) in the 43-year history of the three-point line the NBA. They believe in having the opponent beat them from the perimeter instead of the paint. 

While they were 12-1 when they held the opposition under 100 points, the Bucks were No. 27 in block shots (4.0). A big reason for that is Lopez, who averaged a career-low 1.2 blocks per game was on the shelf for 68 straight games (Oct. 21, 2021-Mar. 14, 2022) following the 2021-22 season opener after having back surgery.

Along with providing rim protection for the Bucks, which allows them to play aggressive defensively on the perimeter Lopez has been a major part of the Bucks three-point shooting attack making in total 187 and 102 threes the past two seasons.

To fill the void of Lopez, the Bucks signed All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins in late Nov. 2021, and he averaged 9.1 points and 5.8 rebounds on 46.6 percent shooting in 17 games (five starts) with Bucks. The team waived him however on Jan. 6.

On Dec. 3, 2021, the Bucks signed veteran guard Wesley Matthews to a one-year deal. On Feb. 24, they signed guard Jevon Carter, who began last season with the Nets. Feb. 16 signed forward DeAndre Bembry, who unfortunately was lost for the season on Mar. 12 when he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee in the Bucks 122-109 loss at the Warriors on ABC.

In a four-team deal at the Feb. 10 trade deadline with the Los Angeles Clippers, Pistons, and Sacramento Kings, the Bucks acquired forward/center Serge Ibaka (6.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 50.0 FG% in 54 games w/Clippers & Bucks) and dealt guard Rodney Hood and forward Semi Ojeleye to the Clippers and guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Kings.

Following the All-Star break, the Bucks registered the third best record at 15-7, trailing only the 17-6 by the Dallas Mavericks and 17-5 mark by the Celtics. The Celtics 139-110 win coupled with the Bucks 133-115 loss at the Cavaliers on Apr. 10, the Bucks finished No. 3 in East and Celtics No. 2.

The Bucks took care of business in the First-Round defeating the Bulls 4-1.

They won Game 1 93-86 Apr. 17 TNT, leading by as many a 16 points in the first quarter and led 34-21 after the first quarter, going 14/26 shooting in the period (58.3). Antetokounmpo and Lopez nearly outscored the entire Bulls team in the first quarter 21-20 The Bulls came back and led 78-77 with 5;64 left in the final period.

The Bucks shot 20/58 (34.5%) total the final three quarter, scoring just three points the first 6:57 of the fourth quarter.

A three-pointer by Jrue Holiday as part of an 8-0 run that put the Bucks up 85-78. They closed the game on a 6-0 the final 1:30 of regulation, including a three by Holiday after the Bulls cut the deficit to 87-86.

Antetokounmpo led the way with 27 point and 16 rebounds on 10/19 shooting (6/11 FTs). Lopez had 18 points, five boards and two blocks. Holiday, despite going 6/16 from the field had 15 points, six assists, six rebounds and two steals. Middleton, who shot just 4/13 and 1/ from three had 11 points, five rebounds. Portis had his first postseason double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds. 

The Bulls pulled out Game 2 114-110 Apr. 20. On TNT to tie the series at 1-1, as they went just 20/31 (64.5%) at the foul line.

Antetokounmpo in defeat had a near triple-double with 33 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists on 11/20 FGs Lopez 25 points (9/15 FGs), going 3/6 from three. Middleton 18 points, eight assists, five boards, two steals, 5/7 from three. Matthews had 11 points on 3/6 from three.

Portis (right eye abrasion) left in first quarter and did not return, while Middleton (sprained MCL left knee) left with 6:49 left in the fourth quarter and did not return.

The Bucks got back on track in with a 111-81 win in Game 3 Apr. 22 on ABC in a near wire-to-wire victory to go up 2-1 in series as they posted their second largest margin of victory on the road in their postseason history (won 156-120 in Game 3 East Division Semis on Mar. 30, 1970). The Bucks used a 12-0 run in the second quarter to go up 46-22 and never looked back leading by as many as 37 points.  

Allen, starting in place of Middleton led the way with a Playoff career-high 22 points with six boards on 5/7 from three. Portis had a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds, going 4/8 from three. Antetokounmpo also had 18 points with nine assists and seven rebounds. Holiday had 16 points, six assists, and six boards. Connaughton added 11 points.

After combining for just five points in the Game 2 loss versus the Bulls, Allen and Portis combined for 17 points in the opening period, which matched the Bulls entire output as a team after the first quarter.

The Bucks outrebounded the Bulls in Game 3 55-43; outscored their bench 47-26 and 46-30 in the paint. They had 27 assists on their 43 made shots, shooting 47.3 percent for the game (43/91 FGs) and 15/41 from three.

The Bucks took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 119-95 win at the Bulls Apr. 24 ABC, seizing control of the game outscoring the Bulls 31-19 in the second quarter and led the game by as many as 24 points.

Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 17 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks on 11/22 shooting and 9/12 at the foul line. Allen had 27 points and three steals on 10/12 from the field and 6/7 from three. Holiday had 26 points and seven assists on 10/21 from the floor and 5/8 from three. Portis had his third double-double of the series with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Bucks outrebounded the Bulls 51-44. Outscored the home team 44-36 in the paint; and 39-17 in bench points.

The Bucks closed deal on the series with a 116-100 victory versus the Bulls in Game 5 Apr. 27 TNT, seizing control of things with 23-2 run beginning late in the opening period to lead by 29 points nearly midway through the second quarter and never relinquished the lead.

They improved to 16-2 record in First-Round games under Coach Budenholzer as well as 8-0 in series clinching games. 

Most Consecutive Wins In Playoff Series Clinching Opportunities By A Head Coach NBA History
Phil Jackson 12
Mike Budenholzer (MIL) 9
Rudy Tomjanovich 9

Antetokounmpo had 33 points and nine boards on 12/15 from the floor and 11/14 at the foul line, with 23 of those points coming in the opening half (8/9 FGs & 7/9 FTs). Connaughton had 20 points on 6/9 from three. Portis had his third straight double-double and fourth double-double of the series with 14 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Allen had 13 points and five boards going 3/6 on his threes. Lopez had 12 points and five boards of his own and Holiday had 10 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

The Bucks kept the good times rolling with a 101-89 win at the Celtics to kick off their East Semifinals series May 1 ABC.

While they shot just 41.1 percent from the field (37/90 FGs) and 12/34 from three, they outrebounded the Celtics 54-48. Outscored them 34-20 in the paint; 28-8 in fastbreak points; 19-14 in second chance points. Bucks scored 27 points off 28 Celtics turnovers.

Holiday had 25 points, five assists nine rebounds and three steals, going 3/5 from three. Antetokounmpo had his second career triple-double in the postseason with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, with two blocks. Portis had his fourth straight double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Bucks improved to 3-0 on the road, winning their first three road games of this postseason by double-digits.

The Bucks lost Game 2 at the Celtics 109-86 May 3 TNT to square the series 1-1 as they were outrebounded 40-37; shot just 15/23 at the foul line and just 3/18 from three, even though they outscored the Celtics 54-24 in the paint.

The Bucks 86 points in Game 2 was their second lost scoring output of this season.

First Two Games       Holiday 15/40 FGs, 4/11 3-Pt.
of series                       Antetokounmpo 20/52 at foul line (7/15 FTs Game 2)

After a rough first half scoring just five points on 2/12 shooting, Antetokounmpo finished with 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Holiday had 19 points, seven assists and two steals. Portis had 13 points and eight boards and Connaughton also scored 13.

The Bucks pulled out a nail biter in Game 3 with a 103-101 victory May 7 on ABC as the Celtics could not get a putback off a missed free throw in the closing seconds to tie it.

Bucks outscored the Celtics 34-17 in the third quarter and led by as many as 14 late in the period and by 13 points with under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter

While they struggled again from three going 9/34 in Game 3, the Bucks outscored the Celtics 52-32 in the paint and 21-11 in fastbreak points.   

Antetokounmpo had 42 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks on 16/30 shooting and 9/12 at foul line. Holiday had 25 points, seven assists, three steals on 11/30 shooting, making three triples. Lopez had a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards, while Connaughton had 11 and eight rebounds on 3/8 from three.

Antetokounmpo outscored the Celtics by himself in the third quarter 17-11. While he shot 3/6 in period, the Celtics as a team went just 6/20 shooting.

Players Since 1976-77 NBA/ABA Merger To Go 40/10/5/2/2 (Points/Rebounds/Assists/Steals/Blocks) In A Playoff Game Since 1990
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 5/7/2022
Kevin Durant (BKN) 6/15/2021
Jimmy Butler (MIA) 10/4/2020
LeBron James (LAL) three times: last 5/20/2012 w/Heat
Charles Barkley 6/1/1993 w/Suns
Patrick Ewing 5/4/1990 w/Knicks

The Celtics evened the series up a 2-2 with a 116-108 victory May 9 TNT, who led by as many as 11 points late in the third quarter as they were outscored 43-28 in the fourth quarter.

After the Bucks down 80-73 after three quarters used a 12-5 run to open the period to tie it at 85-85 with 8:08 left and used a 7-0 run to go up 94-92, the Celtics answered with a 14-2 run to go in front for good.

While the Bucks shot 21/27 at the foul line; outscored the Celtics 52-48 in the paint; and 22-11 in bench points, they went just 9/27 from three. 

Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 18 rebounds and five assists on 14/32 shooting, but had just six points on 3/7 shooting and two turnovers in the final period.

Lopez had 17 points and seven boards, while Holiday had 16 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Holiday though struggled again from the field going just 5/22, including 1/6 from three. Matthews added 12 points on 3/4 from three. Connaughton had 11 points and seven boards on 3/6 from three. 

The Bucks got back on track with a nail biter win in Game 5 110-107 May 11 on TNT to take a 3-2 series lead.

Antetokounmpo had 40 points and 11 rebounds on 16/27 shooting and 6/10 at the foul line. Holiday had 24 points, eight assists and eight rebounds with two blocks (9/24 FGs), going 4/7 from three. Portis had 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Connaughton had 13 points on 3/5 from three. 

Trailing 86-77 after three quarters and down 93-79 with 10:19 left in the final period, the Bucks used battled back to tie it at 105-105 and Portis scored on a follow of a missed free throw to put the Bucks up 107-105. Holiday sealed the win by stealing an inbounds pass by the Celtics Marcus Smart that capped an 11-2 closing run after the Bucks were down 105-99.

In the final seconds of Game 5, Holiday had a block shot on Smart and threw ball of him while falling out of bounds to get the possession back for the Bucks and then had the aforementioned game-ceiling steal on Smart on the Celtics final possession. Holiday became the first player in the last 25 postseasons to register a block shot and a steal in final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter                     MIL              BOS
Summary Game 4                   33      Pts       21
                                                10/21  FGs     8/16
                                                 6/6     3-Pt.     0/0
                                                 14     Rebs       6
                                                   7   Off. Rebs  1
                                                7/8       FTs     5/7
                                                9  2^nd Chance  4
                                                            Pts
                                                4    Turnovers  5

Bucks, after going 7/23 from three-point range first three quarters went 6/6 from three in the fourth period, tied the mark set by the Spurs in 2014 Finals against the Heat for the most made threes without a miss by any team in the final period last 25 postseasons.

Antetokounmpo had his sixth 40-point and 10-rebound game of his postseason career.

Players With 40 Points and 10 Rebounds In A Playoff Win At The Celtics
Elgin Baylor 3 times
Wilt Chamberlin 1960 w/Philadelphia Warriors
Oscar Robertson 1963 w/Cincinnati Royals
LeBron James (LAL) 2012 w/Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 2022

The Bucks failed to close out the in Game 6 falling 108-95 versus the Celtics May 13 ESPN to tie the series at 3-3.

The Bucks after leading by five points early in the first quarter trailed from that point on, down by as many as 18 points.

It snapped the Bucks eight-game winning streak in Playoff series clinchers, all have come under Coach Budenholzer. It was the Bucks first defeat in a series clincher since Game 7 of 2018 First Round at the Celtics

Longest Winning Streaks In Series Clinchers NBA Playoff History
Cavaliers   13       2009-17
Lakers       12       2001-14
Pistons       10       2002-05
Rockets       9       1994-97
Lakers         8       2009-11
Bucks          8       2019-22

The Bucks reign as defending champions concluded with a 109-81 loss in Game 7 May 15 ABC, losing the series 4-3.  

Bucks did cut a 14-point deficit after three quarters to 85-81 behind an 8-1. But the Celtics scored 11 straight points after that to put the game away.

The Bucks dominated the Celtics again in the paint 48-34 but were just 7/29 from three.

Antetokounmpo 44 points, 20 rebounds and six assists, going 14/30 from the field and 14/15 at the charity stripe. Holiday had 17 points, three steals and two blocks but went just 7/17 from the floor and 3/10 from on his triple tries. Connaughton had 14 points.

While the Bucks got a combined 75 points from Antetokounmpo, Holiday and Connaughton, the rest of the team totaled 20 points on 9/33 shooting and 0/13 from three in Game 6.

Portis had just four points on 2/8 from the floor and 10 boards.

Antetokounmpo had his seventh career 40-point game of his postseason career, with coming in the 2022 Playoffs, while also registering his 6^th 40-point and 10-rebound game of his postseason career, including his third of this series.

Antetokounmpo also had the first 40-point 20-rebound game in NBA Playoffs since Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal did it in Game 1 of the 2001 Finals versus the 76ers.

Most 40-Point 10-Rebound Games In Single Postseason NBA History
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4 1977 West Semis w/Lakers
Elgin Baylor 3 1961 West Semis w/Lakers
Shaquille O’Neal 3 2000 NBA Finals w/Lakers
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 2021 Finals against Suns & 2022 East Semis
versus Celtics (Games 3, 5 & 6).

The Bucks reign as defending champions concluded with a 109-81 loss in Game 7 at Celtics May 15 ABC.

After leading for much of the opening half, leading by as many as 10 points in the opening period, the Celtics scored the final six points of the first half to lead 49-48 at half and outscored the Bucs 61-38 in the second half to lead by as many as 28 points. 

Antetokounmpo led the way in defeat with 25 points, 20 rebounds, and nine assists, going just 10/26 from the field. Holiday had 21 points, eight assists, five boards and two steals, but too struggled shooting going 9/21 from the floor and 0/6 from three. Lopez had 15 points and 10 rebounds with three blocks. Portis added 10 points and six boards.

Antetokounmpo had a double-double in the opening half with 17 points and 12 boards with seven assists on 6/10 shooting. He struggled in the second half with just eight points on 4/16 from the field, including 3/11 in the paint. He went 1/6 in the paint in the fourth quarter and 1/10 shooting on contested shots in the second half.

The Bucks again outscored the Celtics 48-26 in the paint and outrebounded them 56-48, while also scoring 17 fastbreak points. But they shot just 4/33 on their triples, including 1/23 from three the final three quarters, miss firing on their final 11 three-point attempts  of the first half and missing at one point 12 straight threes.

The Bucks 12.1 percent from three in Game 7 is the second worst in shooting percentage from three in a Playoff game on a minimum of three-point attempts. They went a combined 11/62 from three in Games 6 and 7.

The Bucks for the series were outscored 330-171 from three-point range by the Celtics, making 110 threes to the Bucks 57. The minus-159 differential in points from three by the Celtics over the Bucks is the largest differential in a playoff series in NBA history.

Bucks were without Khris Middleton for the final 10 games of this postseason due to a MCL sprain in his left knee.

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.

Other than drafting MarJon Beauchamp No. 24 overall from the NBA’s G League Ignite in the 2022 Draft, and signing veteran guard Joe Ingles to a one-year, $1.8 million (7.2 ppg, 3.5 apg, 34.7 3-Pt.% in 45 games w/Jazz), the Bucks pretty much brought the whole band back for another crack at winning another title

I late June Connaughton exercised his $5.7 million player option and then on July 18 signed a new three-year, $28.5 million deal. Coupled with the player option will make $34 million over the next four seasons.

After declining his $4.6 million player option for this upcoming season, Portis was re-signed on a new four-year, $49 million deal on July 6.

On Media Day, they resigned forward Jordan Nwora (7.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg) on a two-year, $6.2 million deal.

In the middle of July, the Bucks re-signed Ibaka on a one-year, $1.8 million deal.

Ingles unfortunately will not be available at least until the new year as he is recovering from a torn ACL sustained Jan. 30 while with the Jazz at the Timberwolves. In a three-team deal involving the Jazz, Trail Blazers and Spurs on Feb. 9, Ingles was traded to the Trail Blazers in a salary dump deal from the Jazz side of things.  

Bucks GM Jon Horst said in late September that Ingles could return as early as December, but it is more realistic that Ingles will make his Bucks debut in late January.

“I’m very confident, but it’s just a big of a process at the moment of seeing how it goes,” Ingles said of rehabbing his knee.

The Bucks will also be without Connaughton, who according to a tweet from the Bucks on Sunday will be out approximately three weeks after an MRI revealed he has a right calf strain.

The Bucks to a man said on Media on Sept. 26 that by having the entire band back together will play a big role in getting off to a great start and to position themselves for another title run this spring.

“It’s huge” Middleton, who will likely miss the start of this season after undergoing surgery on his left wrist said to Bucks sideline report Zora Stephenson on Media Day. “You really don’t have to restart too much. You do want to start from the basics. But we’re able to talk to each other and figure things out a lot smoother A lot quicker because we’ve been through it before.”

With their entire squad back in the fold. Their “Core Three” Of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday ready to roll, the Bucks if they remain healthy are primed for another championship run. Taking every single step in the process to get there.

“At the end of the day, it’s building good habits with your team” Antetokounmpo said to Stevenson. “First off, you’ve got to be healthy enough. Good enough to make your team great. But going to the team, you have to build good habits with your team.”

“We cannot just walk through the regular season and expect to turn on the switch and play good playoff basketball. You’ve got to do it through the regular season.”

Holiday echoed those same sentiments, saying to Stevenson that this steady process of building a winning mindset from training camp to the regular season and then hopefully peaking come Playoff time “has worked before.”

He added that having an understanding of what the end goal is. Having a team that has the “same chemistry and comradery” amongst the Bucks on the roster that have been together the last two seasons specifically and being able to build together is what makes any team good.

For a majority of the offseason, teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics (for unhappy reasons) have been the headliners of this NBA Offseason. The Bucks have quietly gone about their business with no fan fair. 

Best Case Scenario: The Bucks are Top 3 Seed again. Antetokounmpo is in the running for his third Kia MVP. The Bucks return to being a better defensive team. The Bucks return to The Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Bucks Playoff run ends short of making The Finals.  

Grade: A

New York Knicks: 37-45 (5^th Atlantic Division; missed Playoffs; 17-24 at home; 20-21 on the road).  

-106.5 ppg-26^th; opp. ppg: 106.6-6^th; 46.1 rpg-4^th

After making the Playoffs for a first time after an eight-year absence in the spring of 2021, there was a feeling of tide turning in the “Big Apple.” In the early part of last season, that feeling was true for the New York Knicks. But injuries, the underachieving performance by their All-Star forward and two key offseason acquisitions, and the excellent shoot groove by their No. 1 draft choice two drafts back came far too late as the New York Knicks missed the Playoffs for the eighth time in the last nine seasons. While they believe the found their star floor general of the present, even though all the talk was about the star player they did not get the Knicks goals for 2022-23 is for their head coach to play their youngsters that showed some promise at the end of 2021-22. Find an offensive philosophy and stick with it. Above all, make the Playoffs.

The Knicks began 2021-22 with a 5-1 mark. But they hovered around .500 in the weeks that followed, going 17-21 their next 38 games to be 22-22 following a 97-87 loss versus the Hornets on Jan. 17.

That would be the last time the Knicks would be at .500 as they would fall in 16 of their next 19 games, registering losing streaks of three games (Jan. 24-28); four games (Feb. 2-8) and a seven-game skid (Feb. 12-Mar. 4).

The season really got away from the Knicks right before the All-Star break where from Feb. 5-12 they blew five double-digit leads, three of which were 20-plus point leads and lost

They blew a 21-point lead in their 122-115 loss at the Lakers Feb. 5 on ABC. They blew a 12-point lead in a 113-104 loss at the Utah Jazz. They blew a 23-point lead in a 112-103 loss at the Portland Trail Blazers Feb. 12, getting outscored 35-11 in the fourth quarter. They blew an 11-point lead in ad 127-123 loss versus the Thunder, getting outscored 15-11 in overtime.

Then there was the blown loss heard across the state of New York when the Knicks blew a 28-point lead in falling to the crosstown rival Nets 11-106 Feb. 16 on ESPN, their biggest deficit blown in a loss in the last 30 seasons. They also became the first team in the last 25 seasons to blow three 20-point leads in one month.

After the game, ESPN’s Mike Greenberg called that loss “unimaginable.”

The headline on the back sports page of the New York Post referred to that loss “Choke And A Smile” in reference to a picture of Nets’ Seth Curry smiling.

Then Hollis, NY native, Knicks fan and moderator of ESPN’s “First Take” Stephen A. Smith had the rant of all rants after that loss saying on television that included, “The New York Knicks are trash!” He even said that Knicks super fan and Academy Award-Winning director Spike “should not show up the rest of the season.

What brought Mr. Smith rant of all rants that night postgame? For starters Julius Randle (20.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 5.1 apg) played nowhere close to the guy that won Kia Most Improved Player a season ago, His scoring dropped from 24.1 in 2020-21 to 20.1 last season. He marksmanship from the floor dipped from 45.6 percent to 41.1 percent as well as his three-point percentage from 41.1 percent (160/389 3-Pt.) to 30.8 percent (120/390 3-Pt.). His rebounding dipped from 10.2 to 9.9.

After leading the Knicks in scoring in six of out of the first 11 games in 2021-22 to doing so in 15 of the final 43 games he played in. He went from registering 41 double-doubles, including six triple-doubles in 2020-21 to 31 double-doubles and just one triple-double this past season. After registering just one game scoring under 10 points in 2020-21, Randle posted eight games under 10 points in 2021-22.

Randle’s poor play on the floor led to him dismissing fans who booed him when he was not playing up to the potential that he has showed a season ago.

He also did not show any maturity in sharing the sugar offensively with the likes of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier (14.1 ppg, 38.9 3-Pt;).

Walker, a Bronx, NY native was hoping to return home and show out in his hometown.

That dream would turn out to be a nightmare as Walker did not mesh into head coach Tom Thibodeau’s scheme that begins and ends with defense.

Walker did have some sparkling moments in his hometown like scoring a season-high 44 points with eight assists and nine rebounds on 14/27 shooting, including 7/14 from three-point range in the Knicks 124-117 loss versus the Washington Wizards.

He had a tripled-double of 10 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in the Knicks 101-87 win on Christmas Day.

Unfortunately for Walker, a sore left knee that shelved him for nine games as well as missed 10 games early in the season Coach’s Decision. It seemed as the season went on Walker had no place in Coach Thibodeau’s system and the Knicks and Walker reached an agreement that he would be sidelined the remainder of the season. 

Last season Evan Fournier made a single-season record and a career-high 241 made threes in 2021-20, surpassing previous record holder in John Starks’ 217 made triples in 1994-95. He also made over 115 threes for the seventh straight season. That was the good news. The bad news was unless Even Fournier was playing against the Celtics, he was very inconsistent.

In the Knicks season-opening victory (138-124) in overtime versus the Celtics, Fournier had 32 points on 13/25 shooing, including 6/13 from three. He registered 32 points again on 13/24 shooting, making 4/10 from three in the Knicks (114-107) loss at the Celtics. In the Knicks 108-105 victory Jan. 6 versus the Celtics, Fournier had a career-high 41 points with eight boards on 15/25 shooting, and 10/14 from three becoming the first player to score 40 points and make 10 threes since Warriors Stephen Curry, who did it seven.

Fournier scored 18 points or more 25 times in 2021-22, but the Knicks were only 15-10 in those contest. In the 17 games that Fournier scored 20-plus points, the Knicks were just 8-9.

When the Knicks acquired Derrick Rose from the Pistons last season, he brought a spark that propelled the Knicks to the Playoffs and was the lone player in their five-game setback against the Hawks where being on that big stage was not too big for him.

While his shooting percentage were solid at 44.5 from the floor and 40.2 percent from three Rose in 2021-22 was not the same player averaging a career-low 12.0 points. Rose whose has a history of lower body injuries, specifically his knees missed the final 53 games of last season after having two separate surgical procedures on his right ankle.

Two seasons ago, the Knicks offense was not something to write home about unless you were talking about their ability to make threes.

That trend continued in 2021-22 as the Knicks ranked No. 9 in threes made (13.2); No. 10 in threes attempted (35.7); and were No. 13 in three-point percentage (36.9%).

When the Knicks shot 34.9 percent or higher on their triples, they went 25-18. When they shot under 34.9 percent on their threes, they were just 12-27. They also were 18-9 a season ago when they made 15 or more three-pointers.

While they did a decent job in taking care of the ball ranking No. 8 in turnovers per game (12.4), the Knicks offense last season left a lot to be desired ranking No. 27 in field goal percentage (43.7%). They were No. 30, dead last in assists per game at 21.9 as well as in points in the paint at 41.5. While they were No. 2 in free throw attempts at 24.1 per game, they were No. 26 in free throw percentage at 74.4 percent.

When the Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau to be their head coach last offseason, a major reason he was hired because the Knicks front office brass wanted to get back to their roots that made them successful in the middle of the 1990s and early 2000s, defense.

In 2020-21, the Knicks led the NBA in opponent’s FG% (44%) and three-point percentage (33.7%) and were No. 11 in block shots at 5.1.

Last season the Knicks defense remained solid ranking No. 5 in opponent’s field goal percentage (44.7%); No. 6 in opponent’s three-point percentage (34.2%); No. 6 in rebounding differential (+2.4) and were No. 13 in block shots (4.9).

In the first 47 games of 2021-22 allowed on average of 104.5 points, producing a 23-24 record. The next 19 games the Knicks allowed 108.5 points, registering an abysmal 4-15 record, which knocked them out of contention for the Play-In Tournament. Their defense got back on track at the close of 2021-22 allowing 104.9 points, going 11-6.

The Knicks were 22-5 a season ago when they held opponents under 100 points after going 20-4 when they did that the previous season.

A big part of the Knicks top ranked defense in 2020-21 Nerlens Noel. But was on the shelf for 57 games in total due to a troublesome knee.

That provided more time in the pivot Mitchell Robinson (8.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.8 bpg-5^th NBA, 76.1 FG%) and he played well registering 20 double-doubles.

On top of that, with the Knicks inability to turn those defensive stops into points at the other end, they were just 18-26 in clutch time. They also were not very good against the top competition going 19-35 against team that were .500 or better.  

When the Knicks were struggling in the middle portion of last season, the hope was that second-year guard RJ Barrett (20.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg) would raise his level of play. He did find an offensive groove, but it came too late as the Knicks were no longer in playoff contention in late March and at the start of April.

Barrett in 2021-22 had 26 games scoring 20 or more, including 11 games scoring 30 or more. The issue with Barret in his first two NBA seasons has been his inconsistent stroke from the field as well as three-point range.

Prior to the All-Star break a season ago, Barrett averaged 18 points and 2.6 assists on 41.2 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent on his triple tries. Following the All-Star break, Barrett averaged 24.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists, but shot just 40.1 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from three.

When Barrett scored 30 of his career a career-high 46 points in the first half on 13/22 from the field, including 6/11 on his threes in the Knicks 115-100 loss Feb. 26 versus Heat on ESPN, what kept him from becoming the eighth Knicks player (Carmelo Anthony, Bernard King, Richie Guerin, Allan Houston, Willis Reed, Jamal Crawford, Patrick Ewing) to score 50 points or more   because he went 14/22 from the charity stripe.  

Barrett on this night joined the late five-time All-Star and Hall of Famer Carl Braun as only the second player in Knicks history to score 40-plus points at age 21 or young.

RJ Barrett’s Production By Month 2021-22

                                  PPG             3-Pt.%
Oct./Nov.2021         14.0                32%
Dec. 2021                 17.6                33%
Jan. 2022                 21.8                40%
Feb. 2022                 28.3                39%
Mar. 2022                24.6                31%
Apr. 2022                 19.0                26%

One of the biggest push, pulls that the Coach Thibodeau and the Knicks management of President of Basketball Operations Leon Rose, GM Scott Perry and naming Executive Vice President William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley was playing their youngsters in Immanuel Quickly (11.3 ppg, 3.5 apg, 38.9 3-Pt.%), Obi Topping (9.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 53.1 FG%), Quentin Grimes (6.0 ppg, 38.1 3-Pt.%), Jericho Sims and Cam Reddish (10.1 ppg, 35.9 3-Pt.%).

When the Knicks acquired Reddish from the Hawks on Jan. 13 along with 2025 Second Round pick, he barely played, and a shoulder issue shelved him the final 17 games of 2021-22.

When Coach Thibodeau did play Quickley, Toppin, and Grimes major minutes with any hopes of the Playoffs down the tubes the final month-plus of 2021-22, they were productive.

When the Knicks went 9-7 in March, Barrett, while he shot just 40 percent from the floor averaged 24.6 points and 6.4 rebounds. Quickley averaged 14.9 points on 46 percent from the field.

Quickley had 24 points on career-high 7 made three, going 7/10 from distance in the Knicks 116-103 win versus Hawks. He registered his first career double-double of 21 points, 10 rebounds, six assists (8/15 FGs) going 3/5 from three in the Knicks 116-93 win at Clippers on ESPN Mar. 6. His first career triple-double of 20 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds: 1^st career triple-double came in the Knicks win (118-88) at the Magic. In the Knicks season finale victory (105-94) versus the Raptors, Quickley posted career-highs 34 points and 12 assists and tied a career-high with 10 rebounds as he registered his second career triple-double.

The game in which Quentin Grimes made an impression when he scored a season-high 27 points on 9/17 from the field, including 7/13 from three-point range in the Knicks 112-97 loss versus the Bucks. The seven made threes by Grimes set a new single-game record Knicks rookie record and his 27-point performance is the most by a Knicks rookie since 1996-97.

In the aforementioned Knicks loss in early February at the Trail Blazers, Grimes score 20 points on 5/8 from three. 

Another Knick who impressed, particular at the close of 2021-22 was Toppin, who posted a double-double of a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Knicks 90-87 loss at the Raptors on Dec. 10, 2021. He tied that career of 19 points with six boards and six assists in the Knicks 120-105 loss at the Raptors.

It took until the Knicks Playoffs dream were officially dead before Toppin got more serious playing time, which began in early March, where he had his second double-double of his career with 18 points and 11 boards with six assists in the Knicks 121-106 win at the Hornets.

Toppin scored a new career-high with 20 points going 9/9 at the foul line in the Knicks 119-101 loss versus the Cavaliers. He matched that career-high of 20 points with eight boards, hitting a career-high four triples (4/10 3-Pt.) in the previously mentioned Knicks win at the Magic. Then had a new career-high 35 points on 14/22 from the field, including 6/9 from three in the Knicks previously mentioned win at the Wizards. In the season-finale win versus the aforementioned Raptors, Toppin left Knicks fans talking as he produced a career-high 42 points with 10 rebounds on 16/28 from the field, including a new career-high 6 made threes on 14 tries.

Sims showed in the early part of this season that when given minutes that he is a solid rebounder. His first career double-double came Apr. 6 of 10 points and 13 rebounds in the Knicks 110-98 loss versus the Nets on ESPN. He too like Toppin and Quickley closed out 2021-22 in grand fashion with six points and 14 rebounds versus the Raptors.

In the offseason, it was quite clear that the Knicks roster needed some serious upgrades and that they needed somehow to either sign or acquire a star player or at someone close to that.

That did not take place in the draft as they dealt the No. 11 selection forward/guard  Ousmane Dieng from France to the Thunder in exchange for  three 2023 protected First-Round pick (via the Pistons, Wizards, and Nuggets).

In a three-team deal with the Hornets and Pistons, the Knicks acquired a 2025 First Round pick and dealt Walker, a 2023 First Round picks (from Nuggets, via Thunder and Knicks); a 2023 Second Round pick (via Knicks); and a 2024 Second Round pick (via Knicks). This deal cleared $9.2 million in salary from the Knicks books.

That gave the Knicks enough salary cap space to sign the free agent they had in their sights on in Jalen Brunson (16.3 ppg, 4.8 apg, 50.2 FG%, 37.3 3-Pt.%), who turned a career-year with the Dallas Mavericks into a four-year, $104 million deal, that includes a player option in the final year of the deal that became official on July 12.

The two-time NCAA champion with the Villanova Wildcats (2016, 2018) that was selected No. 33 overall in 2018 by the Mavericks joined Carmelo Anthony (five-year, $120 million 2014); Randle (four-year, $117 million 2011); Allan Houston (six-year, $100 million 2001) and Amar’e Stoudemire (five-year, $100 million) as the five players to sign with the Knicks for at least four years and $100 million in free agency.

“I just want to say I’m super excited to be a Knick. I can’t wait to get started,” Brunson said about joining the Knicks in a video before is introductory presser on July 19.    

In speaking with Bill Pidto of the Madison Square Garden Network at his introductory presser that being Knicks player after being around the team as a youth and seeing players like Houston, Latrell Sprewell, Tim Thomas and former player and assistant coach Herb Williams said that MSG “the world’s most famous arena” is “very special” and hopes to create some “new memories here.”

He added about seeing Sprewell and Houston at his introductory presser “brings back” a lot of memories and it make him feel like he is “supposed to be here.”

When he inserted into the starting lineup on Dec. 12, 2021, the New Brunswick, NJ native went 38-17, which included a 31-11 mark when he and superstar phenom Luka Doncic started together a season ago.

How much did the Knicks want to sign Brunson, he will be playing for a coaching staff that includes his father Rick, who joined the Knicks staff once played for the Knicks and was coached by Thibodeau was an assistant on those Knicks squads in the late 1990s. Brunson’s agent is the son of Rose, who before he joined the Knicks front office was a big-time agent as well.  

Brunson, 25 really showed out in this past spring’s postseason averaging 21.6 points and 4.6 rebounds on 46.6 percent shooting, producing three 30-plus points games last postseason. When the Mavericks were without star guard missed the first three games of their opening-round series against the Jazz, Brunson stepped up averaging 32.0 points and 5.7 assists on 50.7 percent from the floor.

When asked by Pidto on why he chose the Knicks, Brunson said that because of his ties with Rose and Wesley that there is a “comfort level to this” and it was something he could not “turn a blind eye to.”

“I knew that these guys have my best interest at heart,” Brunson added. “It’s just one big family and I’m just super excited.”

The last time the Knicks had an All-Star point guard was 1989 when now ESPN NBA color analyst Mark Jackson, a native New Yorker who played collegiately at St. Johns earned his lone All-Star selection in his 17-year career.

The hope is that Brunson can come close to being that for the Knicks. What is though is a solid floor general who brings a steadiness to a team that needs it, especially on the offensive end. He can create his own shot as well as make plays for his teammates.

“Most importantly, I just want to be myself,” Brunson said at Media Day on the narrative he will be the savior for the Knicks on Sept. 26. “Not a savior in any shape or form. I just want to be able to contribute to the team and try to help this team win games.”

“I like the group. Can’t wait to build more chemistry with these guys. Can’t wait to see what we really can unlock.”

The Knicks also in free agency added depth in their front court signing center Isaiah Hartenstein (8.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 62.6 FG% w/Clippers) on a two-year, $16 million deal. They also resigned Robinson to a four-year, $60 million deal.  

As great as those signings were for the Knicks, a lot of the conversation at the close of the offseason was about the guy who they did not bring into the fold in three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell of the Jazz, who was raised in Connecticut; played basketball in the summertime in Harlem and other hoop spots as a teen and still maintains a connection with NYC where his dad works in the New York Mets front office.

When the Jazz began their rebuilding process in trading Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolves, it was not a matter of if but when Mitchell would be dealt.

Jazz GM Danny Ainge got a major hall in draft picks and players for Gobert, which signaled he wanted just as much, if not a bigger package for Mitchell.

The Knicks had the assets from young players and draft capital. But Rose, Wesley and the front office came to the table with not the best offers.

That hesitation cost the Knicks as Mitchell in early September was dealt to the Cavaliers.

What also prevented the Knicks from possibly acquiring Mitchell is that they signed Barrett to a four-year extension at $107 million that could go as high as $120 million.

“I am very happy, very thankful I was able to re-sign and I’m going to be here and I’m going to be here” Barrett said at Media Day Sept. 26 on his extension. “I always wanted to be here. Definitely excited and definitely very thankful.”

Included in Barrett’s extension was a poison pill provision, which meant that if he was included in a deal to get Mitchell, meant that the outgoing salary for Barret trade at $10.9 million required the incoming salary to be at $26.2 million.

That meant the Knicks would have needed a third team with salary cap space to redirect $37 million left on Fournier’s current deal.  

For a team that is rebuilding like the Jazz, taking on any major salary is something that is not in vision right now. So, that along with a couple of other things axed those trade talks between them and the Knicks.

While it may be a hard pill to swallow that the Knicks did not get that legitimate All-Star player, they were able to sign Brunson. They extended Barrett, who is the first Knicks to agree to a multi-year extension since Charlie Ward in 1999, and he has shown improvement.

Players To Amass 3,000 Points, 1,000 Rebounds And 200 Made Threes Before Age 22
RJ Barrett (NYK)   Luka Doncic (DAL)                   LeBron James (LAL) w/Cavaliers
Kobe Bryant            Kevin Durant (BKN) w/Thunder

The Knicks re-signed two of their core pieces in Barrett and Robinson and the hope is that they can develop some a cohesiveness with each other on both ends.

From an individual standpoint, the Knicks need Robinson to be more than just a dunker at the offensive end. He said at Media Day that his two biggest areas that he has to work on is his free throw shooting and conditioning, while adding a jump hook and a 15-foot jumper to his offensive arsenal. They need Barrett to be more efficient with his shooting to take that next step in being an even more effective scorer for the Knicks.

“I still have a lot to still work on,” Robinson said at Media Day about getting the extension. “I feel like they showed me some loyalty, basically. So, with that I actually come out here and play to level that’s the reason why they paid me.”

This is where the ultimate value of having Brunson in the fold will do. Put his teammates in a better position to be effective offensively.

“He’s a winner,” Barrett described Brunson. “He’s very poised and controlled, which you need in a team. So, very happy to have him. I’m very happy to have him. So, I think he’s going to be very good for us.”

They also need Randle to return to the consistent level he played at in 2020-21, while also being able have a better cohesiveness with his teammates at the offensive end of the floor.

At Media Day, Randle said that he “got back to the basics” when it came to how he prepared for this season in the summertime. He also said that in the first part of the summer that he spent time with his family, while also re-evaluating things before he got back to work.

“In life in general, you just control what you can control and you know, for me that’s being in the best shape I can be in,” Randle said. “Diet, sleep, rest, all that different type of stuff. So, just wanted to get back feeling as healthy and as good as possible.”

Perhaps the biggest thing that the Knicks have to grapple with is deciding what direction they want to do.

When they hired Thibodeau last summer, they brought in a task master that he will only play you if you consistently play hard, especially defensively and that you play a discipline way offensively.

In an era that is all about pace and space, the Knicks under Coach Thibs still play a slowdown brand of ball where you shoot a lot of threes and that they share the sugar with each other.

While the likes of Randle, Barrett, and Brunson are the headliners, the supporting cast of Toppin, Reddish, Grimes and Quickley could be and need to be a major part of the Knicks moving forward. The one thing good NBA teams that win consistently in recent years is they have depth and if the Knicks want to be in that conversation of being a team that is a serious playoff perennial again, they have to embrace that, especially Coach Thibs.

“Coach controls all that and we’re here. I’m ready whenever my name is called just like any other player,” Toppin said at Media Day about getting more playing time. “So, whenever my name is called, I’m going to try and give 110 [percent] every day.”

Reddish echoed those same feelings at Media Day saying that he can “control” the things he can control. That he is “available and healthy” and that whatever happens, happens.

The last quarter century has seen the Knicks appear in the postseason five times, managing only one playoff series win. They have seen their fans get frustrated at “The Garden” on social media and on TV as demonstrated by the aforementioned Stephen A. Smith.

While they did not get Donovan Mitchell over the summer, they managed to sign Jalen Brunson. Re-sign RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson keep youngsters Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes.  

The front office of Leon Rose, William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley, and Scott Perry put the group together. It is up to head coach Tom Thibodeau and his coaching staff to mold this group back into a playoff team.

If they show any more signs of regression, it could mean the end first for Coach Thibs and then possibly the front office.

“I think this time of the year, there is a lot of energy and excitement going into a season. But it’s also a reminder of how much work you have to do. So, you start at a zero base and you want to build the right habits,” Coach Thibodeau said about the lead up to the start of this season. “There’s a good spirit about the team. We just have to continue on each and every day.”

Best Case Scenario: The Knicks are back in the Playoffs in the lower portion of the East.  Randle regains his All-Star form. Barrett becomes efficient with jump shots. is in the mix for his first All-Star selection Brunson has major impact on the Knicks offense to balance out their defense. The youngsters in Toppin, Quickley, and Grimes are major factors off the bench.

Worst Case Scenario: The Knicks get off to a slow start. Coach Thibodeau is fired. Randle struggles again. Brunson has no impact. The Knicks missed the Playoffs for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons.

Grade: C+

Orlando Magic: 22-60 (5^th Southeast Division; missed the playoffs) 12-29 at home, 10-31 on the road.

-104.2 ppg-29^th; opp. ppg: 112.2-20^th; 44.3 rpg-14^th

For the second straight season and for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons, the Orlando Magic missed out on the postseason. Injuries, and one of the lowest ranked offenses in the NBA in 2021-22 is what had the boys from “Walt Disney World” on the outside of the Playoff picture looking in. They did however learn that they do have players that can see part of their future. With the addition of a player, who they hope is the headliner of their rise back to being a postseason perennial, the goal for the Magic in 2021-22 is to stay healthy, which they will not be to start the upcoming season and take a major step in their hopeful major leap forward in their current rebuild.  

The Magic, who registered their fifth 60-loss season in franchise history went just 7-29 in the 2021 portion of last season, not registering their 10^th victory until Jan. 28 with a 119-103 win versus the Pistons. Their 7-27 mark tied their worst 34-game start in franchise history with the 1991-92 squad.

Their lone best stretch of 2021-22 came when they produced a 9-11 record from Jan. 23-Mar. 11.

Any team trying to build themselves into a winner knows that the top priority is to win at home. The Magic did not do that, especially at the start of last season winning just 3 of their first 19 home games.  

Those three home wins came against Playoff teams from a season ago versus the Jazz (107-100) Nov. 7, 2021; versus the Nuggets (108-103) Dec. 1, 2021; and Jan. 23 (114-95) versus the Bulls. Their biggest home win of 2021-22 came on Mar. 22 with a 94-90 triumph over the now reigning NBA champion Warriors.

The Magic were especially bad at home against teams from their own conference, going 5-22 against the Eastern Conference (7-7 versus West) at home. The other four home victories against the East besides their triumph over the eventual No. 6 Seeded Bulls included a Jan. 28 victory (119-103) versus the Pistons. Their 119-103 victory versus the Pacers. Their win on Apr. 5 (120-105) versus the Cavaliers. Their victory in the regular season finale (125-111) versus the East runner-up and No. 1 Seeded Heat.

Along with being able to win at home when you are a young team, you have to win your fair share of close games to show that you are improving.

First-year head coach Jamahl Mosley’s squad in 2021-22 were just 13-20 in clutch time. They were 6-12 in games decided by five points or less, including 2-7 in games decided by three points or less.

While the Magic also struggled on the road, they did manage to pull off some very impressive wins in the house of a couple of Playoff teams a season ago.

They won at the Timberwolves 115-97 on Nov. 1, 2021. They won at the Nets 100-93 on Dec. 18, 2021. They had a 104-98 win at the Hawks Dec. 22, 2021. They won at the Raptors 103-97 Mar. 4.

The Magic’s inability to win consistently at home, have their fair share of road victories and win their fair share of close games was their poor offensive and defensive execution.

They were No. 28 in the league in field goal percentage (43.4%) and in three-point percentage (33.1%). While they were 11^th free throw percentage (78%), they were next to last in free throw attempts at 19.7 per game.

The Magic lost their first 24 games when they scored under 100 points before registering wins versus the Thunder (90-85) Mar. 20 and as mentioned versus the Warriors Mar. 22.  

The one great offensive showing the Magic displayed was then they made a single-game franchise record with 23 made triples, going 23/58 from three-point range in the just previously mentioned season-finale victory versus the Heat.

It was not that much better at the other end for the Magic ranking 24^th in opponent’s three-point percentage (36.3%); 26^th in opponent’s made threes (13.2) and in opponent’s free throw attempts (22.6). They ranked 26^th in rebounding differential (-2.8); 28^th in steals (6.8) and 20^th in block shots (4.5).

In a season with really not a lot of positives, there were a few bright spots, like the play of forward Franz Wager (15.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 46.8 FG%, 35.4 3-Pt.%).

From Nov. 24, 2021-Jan. 5, 2022, Wagner, No. 8 overall pick in 2021 out of Michigan University scored in double-figures in a string of 21 straight games. In total, the 2021-22 All-Rookie First Team selection had 17 games where he scored 20 or more, tied with Scottie Barnes of the Raptors for third most amongst the 2021-22 rookie class. His 15.3 scoring averaged was fourth highest amongst 2021-22 rookie class. He made 96 threes (96/271 3-Pt.) last season.

That included a season-high 38 points with seven rebounds on 12/20 shooting, including 4/8 on his threes and 10/10 from the foul line in the Magic’s 127-110 loss versus the then defending NBA champion Bucks.

Most Points By A Rookie In A  Regular Season Game In Magic History
Shaquille O’Neal   46 points  Feb. 16, 1993  at Pistons
Dennis Scott           40 points  Mar. 18, 1991 vs. Nuggets
Shaquille O’Neal   twice scored 38 points in 1992-93
Franz Wagner       38 points   Dec. 28, 2021 versus Bucks
Cole Anthony        37 points   May 16, 2021 at 76ers

One thing that helped Wagner’s transition into NBA be a solid was having his older brother Moe Wagner (9.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 49.7 FG%), who had a very solid season of his own thanks to settling in on a team for more than just a few months like he did with the Lakers, Wizards, and Celtics at the start of his career in the 2018-19 season. 

Three of the older Wagner’s six career 20-plus point games and as well as three of his six career double-doubles came with the Magic in 2021-22, including a season-high of 26 points on 11/17 from the field, including 4/8 on his triple tries in the Magic’s 116-109 victory at the Hornets Mar. 14.

While he missed 17 games a season ago because of two sprains of his right ankle and left big toe, Cole Anthony (16.3 ppg, 5.7 apg, 5.4 rpg) played decently, registering 19 20-plus point games, including registering three of his four career 30-plus point games.

The son of former NBA guard with the Knicks, the then Vancouver (now Memphis) Grizzlies and Trail Blazers and current NBA analyst and color commentator Greg Anthony had a season-high tying 33 points with eight assists on 12/22 shooting and 6/9 from three in the Magic’s 142-120 loss at the Kings. He also had 33 points on 13/20 from the field and 5/10 on his threes in the Magic’s aforementioned win Nov. 7, 2021 versus Jazz. He had 31 points, eight assists, nine rebounds and two steals in his team’s victory at Timberwolves.

Another player in the Magic backcourt that they have high hopes on is R.J. Hampton (7.6 ppg, 35.0 3-Pt.%), who missed 14 of 18 games a season ago with an MCL sprain/bone bruise in his left knee showed improved marksmanship from three, making 64 triples (64/183 a season ago).

The former late First Round pick No. 24 overall, who was acquired from the Nuggets back in Feb. 2021 displayed that improving shooting stroke when he scored a career-high 21 points with five assists and six boards on 8/16 from the floor and 4/7 from three in the season-finale win Apr. 10 (125-111) versus the No. 1 Seeded Heat.

The Magic coming into last season had high hopes for their No. 1 draft choice Jalen Suggs (11.8 ppg, 4.4 apg).

Two main issues for the No. 5 overall pick out of Gonzaga in 2021 was one he battled injuries, missing 21 games with a fractured right thumb (Dec. 1, 2021-Jan. 12) sustained in the fourth quarter of the Magic’s 101-96 loss at 76ers Nov. 29, 2021. He also missed 10 straight games and 11 out of the final 13 games of 2021-22 (Mar. 13-Apr. 10) with a bone bruise in his right ankle.

Suggs, who finished No. 9 amongst 2021-22 rookie class in scoring also struggled with is perimeter shot connecting on 36.1 percent of his shots from the field and 21.4 percent on his three-point attempts (42/196 3-Pt.).

He did display his ability to play an all-around game with his first career double-double of 20 points and 10 assists with six boards on 7/14 from the field (5/8 FTs) in the 132-105 loss Feb. 2 at the Suns. His second career double-double came in the Magic’s 119-103 victory Feb. 28 versus the Pacers registering 14 points, 10 assists (5/9 FGs: 2/4 3-Pt.).

Suggs had a season-high of 22 points with nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks (6/16 FGs: 1/7 3-Pt.) on 9/10 at the foul line in the Magic’s 116-105 loss versus Lakers Jan. 21. 

One Magic play that has become all too familiar with injury issues has been Markelle Fultz (10.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg-career-high) who made his 2021-22 debut in the as previously mentioned win Feb. 28 versus Pacers with 10 points and six assists in 16 minutes.

Fultz, the No. 1 overall pick out of the University of Washington was returning from a 14- month absence recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee.

He had his best game of the season in the win to close 2021-22 as mentioned versus the Heat with 10 points and 15 assists in a season-high 29 minutes.

In today NBA, you need to have versatile players in your front court that can do all the dirty work. The Magic have that on their roster in the aforementioned Wagner, center Wendell Carter, Jr. (15.0 ppg, 10.5 rpg-9^th NBA, 52.5 FG%), Mo Bamba (10.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg, 48.0 FG%, 38.1 3-Pt/%) and Chuma Okeke (8.6 ppg, 50 rpg).

Carter, Jr. who was acquired from the Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vucevic in Feb. 2021 battled a sore left hamstring, illness, and a sprained left wrist, which shelved him for 20 games had a career-year averaging a double-double for the first time in his four-year NBA career.

He had a career-best 33 double-doubles a season ago, after totaling 37 double-doubles his first three NBA seasons. Made a career-high 70 threes (70/214 3-Pt.; 32.7 3-Pt.%) had 13 20-point games last season after totaling only nine such games before last season with the Bulls and Magic.

Injuries were a main reason that Bamba’s NBA start has been disappointing when they took him No. 6 overall out of University of Texas in 2018. That included missing 11 games in 2021-22 being in health and safety protocol (Dec. 15-Dec. 30, 2021) and two games (Jan. 12-14 with a sprained right toe. Last season, though, Bamba showed signs of turning the corner with four of his six career 20-point games coming in 2021-22.

After totaling seven career double-doubles his first three NBA seasons, with four of the seven coming in 2020-21, Bamba came close to tripling that mark with 20 double-doubles in 2021-22, scoring 20-plus points in four out of 6 career such double-doubles.

He had a career-high of 32 points with three blocks going 12/15 from the field, including a career-high seven made threes, going 7/8 in the Magic’s 119-103 loss Jan. 19 at 76ers.

Bamba had 27 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks on 10/15 shooting, including 5/8 from three in the Magic’s 118-110 win versus the Timberwolves.

In the Magic’s aforementioned win in early Apr. versus Cavaliers, Bamba was a force with 21 points, 12 boards and six blocks hitting 5/9 from three. He scored another 21 points with 10 boards and two blocks again going 5/9 on his triples tries in the previously mentioned season-finale win versus Heat. 

When you have a log jam at a certain position, it means that someone might be able to get on the court at times. That was the case at times last season for Okeke, who to missed time a season ago, missing the first six games of 2021-22 with a bone bruise in his right hip. He also missed five games being in health and safety protocols.  

When he did play, he showed the hustle and defensive mentality that made him special playing for head coach Bruce Pearl at Auburn University and when he has played at times for the Magic.

In Magic’s win to close 2021-22 versus the Heat, Okeke had a career-high 26 points with nine rebounds (9/13 FGs) and 5/7 from three. 

For a young team of this magnitude, having the presence of veterans to give encouragement during some of the tough losses and to be the voice of your head coach in practice and games is how you build good habits that will hopefully pay off later.

Those veteran players for the Magic last year were Gary Harris (11.1 ppg, 38.4 3-Pt.%) and Terrence Ross (10.0 ppg).

Harris, who too missed time with injury, 21 games to be exact. Even with that, he managed to sink 116 triples (116/202 3-Pt.) and made over 100 triples for the fourth time in his career but his first since making 156 total triples, a career-high in 2017-18 w/Nuggets.

Ross while he struggle with his shoot overall, especially from three at 39.7 percent from the field: career-low and 29.2 percent on his triple tries (77/264 3-Pt.). 

The process in Magic President Jeff Weltman, GM John Hammond, and Coach Mosley continued into the offseason in 2022, starting with the 2022 NBA Draft.

The Magic opened the 2022 Draft with the selection of forward Paolo Banchero out of Duke University (17.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 48 FG%, 34 3-Pt.% w/Blue Devils). At No. 32 overall, the Magic selected forward/guard Caleb Houston out of the University of Michigan.

The top scorer amongst all 2021-22 collegiate freshmen, who captured ACC Freshmen of the Year.

Any NBA that has been where they Magic are currently and is trying to change their fortunes know that it starts with having a guy that you can see as the leader of your franchise. Banchero, a Consensus 2021-22 Second Team All-American checks all those boxes.

The native of the Pacific Northwest can score at all three levels (down low; mid-range; and from three-point range). He has an aggressive mentality to score. Is very athletic. Has a solid shooting stroke, especially from three-point range. Is a powerful finisher with a great second jump. Is a solid rebounder, especially on the defensive glass.

That will be a big help for a Magic team that ranked No. 29 in scoring for the second straight season.

He also has the appetite to compete against the best. When asked via Zoom on Media Day by NBATV’s Taylor Rooks two players that he said he is looking forward to competing against his rookie season, Banchero said two former league MVPs and NBA champions in LeBron James of the Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks.

In the Magic’s history, the Magic have hit the jackpot. First drafting Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal No. 1 overall in 1992 and averaged in his rookie season 23.4 points and 13.9 boards on 56.2 percent from the field and led the Magic to a 41-41 mark in 1992-93, a 20-win improvement from 1991-92 to 1992-93. Now University of Memphis Head Coach Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, who was acquired after a Draft-day deal where Chris Webber draft rights were sent to the Warriors in 1993. In 2004, the Magic came up aces again draft Dwight Howard No. 1 overall out of high school in Atlanta. He also registered a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds on 52 percent shooting in 2004-05 in guiding the Magic to 15-win improvement with a 36-46 record.

O’Neal and Hardaway had the Magic in The Finals in 1995. But in the span of three seasons after that Finals trip both left with O’Neal leaving in free agency for the Lakers in summer of 1996 and winning three straight titles with the late fellow Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant (2000-02). Howard led the Magic to the 2009 Finals five years after being draft and he too left for the Lakers via trade in the summer of 2012 and helped them win their 18^th title in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL.

On the surface, Banchero has some big high tops to fill. But unlike O’Neal and Howard, Banchero was not the Magic’s top choice to take No. 1 in this past June’s draft. Right up to the final moment when they made their selection between Banchero, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Auburn’s Jabari Smith. They even toyed with the idea of trading down like the Magic did with Hardaway.

Whether Banchero will live up to the hype of being No. 1 overall remains and be the best player out of the 2022-23 Draft class remains to be seen. He did say to Rooks, he is up for the challenge.

“I think just coming in, bringing a winning mentality. A team first mentality. Just being myself,” Banchero said on how he will try to be the best version of himself. “I think my whole life I’ve done what it takes to win, and I’ve always put that first.”

Banchero also said he plans on dealing with the pressure of being the No. 1 overall pick by making sure he is “always having fun.” That he is always “enjoying himself” and “embracing” all the expectations like he did when he went to Duke.

The Magic along with deciding who they wanted to select No. 1 overall in the draft, they also had to decide whether to keep their young roster intact or make some major changes. With what took place in free agency across the NBA this summer, the Magic decided to stick with their youngsters and build up their team from within, for now.

They re-signed officially Harris to a two-year, $26 million deal as well as Mo Bamba on a two-year, $21 million deal.

At the Feb. 10 trade deadline, the Magic swung a deal with the Celtics to acquire center Bol Bol, a future Second Round pick, and cash considerations in exchange for a 2023 Second Round pick. He was re-signed on July 7 on a two-year, $2.2 million deal.

The son of late former NBA center Manute Bol, who played for a decade in the NBA (1985-95) for the then Washington Bullets (now Wizards), Warriors, 76ers, and Heat has been saddled by injuries in the early part of his NBA career, which has resulted in him being deal twice this season from the Nuggets to the Pistons on Jan. 10, but that trade was rescinded because Bol failed his physical. He was then traded from Nuggets to the Celtics on Jan. 18 and then at the Feb. 10 trade deadline to the Magic. He was ruled out the remainder of last season Mar. 15 following foot surgery. Jan. 18.

The Magic’s front court is very crowded and the chances of Bol seeing serious playing time is very slim. But if he can stay healthy and display that stellar talent he did at the University of Oregon, that gives another big for the have in their stable.

The front court is about to get even more crowded with the return of forward Jonathan Isaac, who has been out since July 31, 2020 recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee.

Before the No. 6 overall pick out of Florida State University went down during the 2020 restart, Isaac was on his way to being a perennial All-Defensive selection.

Isaac said at Media Day on Sept. 26 about where he is in his rehab process that he “feels fantastic.” That he feels “the best” that he has felt throughout this entire process. That he is running, jumping, playing one-on-one and that he is finally ready to really in the final stages of his rehab and getting back on the hardwood.

“I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I want to get on the court. I’m excited about it,” Isaac said, adding, “I want to do this thing right. I don’t want to have any more injuries. I want to take my time and get this thing solidified and behind us and get back to playing basketball.”

While the Magic will welcome back Isaac, they will start this season without Harris who had surgery to repair a meniscus tear left knee on Sept. 1. There is no timetable for his return.

“I feel good rehabs been going great. So, just taking it one day at a time. Everything’s been smooth so far,” Harris said about his knee at Media Day Sept. 26. “It’s not ideal. But “I’m in good spirits. I feel good. Just taking it one day at a time and just ready to get back out there with the guys.” In late September, they announced that Fultz will be out indefinitely after fracturing his left big toe.

“This is just something that’s a little setback,” Fultz said of his injury at Media Day to Florida National News reporter Mellissa Thomas. “Everything’s okay….Just wanted to be more cautious. We got some imaging done and we realize what was going on and we got ahead of it early. So, I don’t think this will effect anything going forward.”  

While the Magic will bring Isaac along slowly, the fact that he will even be back on the floor is a success in of itself.

In the years when the Orlando Magic won the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery in 1992, 1993 and 2004, they found that headline player and the ancillary pieces to build a championship caliber squad. They as mentioned reached The Finals with Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway leading them. After drafting Dwight Howard No. 1 overall in 2004, the Magic made it to The Finals five years later.

The problem is the Magic lost in their Finals appearances 4-0 in 1995 to Hall of Famer’s Hakeem Olajuwon, and Clyde Drexler, and TNT’s studio host Kenny “The Jet” Smith. The Howard led Magic lost in 2009 Finals to the aforementioned late Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and the Lakers 4-1. The Magic then saw O’Neal, Hardaway, and Howard leave Orlando and watch O’Neal and Howard win championship(s) with the Lakers.

The Magic have not won a Playoff series in 11 years and missed the Playoffs the last three springs, being under .500 in all three of those seasons as well as in all but two of the last 10 seasons.  

The Magic have a plethora of talented young players on the roster in No. 1 in Paolo Banchero, Franz and Moritz Wagner, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Mo Bamba Wendell Carter, Jr, Jonathan Issac, and possibly Bol Bol.

It is now about Coach Mosley creating a style of play that will mesh with this talented group that will bring the best out of them on both ends of the hardwood.  

“I think there’s a great sense of energy and anticipation throughout all of our team, starting with the players and emanating out throughout all of us. And we’re excited to start the season,” Weltman said at Media Day on the upcoming season.

Best Case Scenario: The Magic about 30 games. Banchero is the top candidate for Rookie of the Year. The young core of the Magic Suggs, Franz Wagner, Bamba. Isaac is healthy and slow regains he defensive instincts.  

Worst Case Scenario: The Magic continue to struggle on both ends. The young core builds no continuity.

Grade: B

Philadelphia 76ers: 51-31 (No. 2 Atlantic Division; No. 4 Seed in East; 24-17 at home, 27-14 on the road); Defeated the No. 5 Seeded Toronto Raptors 4-2 in East Quarterfinals; Lost to No. 1 Seeded Miami Heat 4-2 in East Semifinals.  

-109.9 ppg-18^th; opp. ppg: 107.3-T-8^th; 42.3 rpg-29^th     

Only the Boston Celtics (8), Milwaukee Bucks (6), Utah Jazz (6) has longer postseason appearances currently than the Philadelphia 76ers with five in “The Association.”  Four out of those five seasons have concluded in the East Semifinals. At the February trade deadline, they dealt the player they felt let them down in the East Semis two springs ago in exchange for a player whose come up small in recent years in the Playoffs, like he did this past spring. It waisted another strong season by the face of the franchise dubbed “The Process” who had a career-high in games played. With the upgrades to the roster this offseason. The rededication to his game by last season’s blockbuster addition at the trade deadline and an even more determined focus of their headline center, the goal for the Philadelphia 76ers this season is represent the Eastern Conference in The Finals.

It was a rough and turbulent beginning for the 76ers who failed dramatically in trying to repair their impasse with their 25-year-old three-time All-Star guard Ben Simmons, whose poor performance in the seven-game defeat to Hawks in 2021 East Semis was cited as the top reason why they failed to reach The Finals.

Thing got worse when last season’s training camp rolled around where Simmons did show up but when asked by head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers to get into a drill, he refused. It was also pointed out that he had a cell phone in his pocket in practice. Those two incidents led to him getting kicked out of practice and from that moment it was made clear that the only solution was for the 76ers to trade Simmons (more on that shortly).

The 76ers got off to a solid start to 2021-22 without Simmons beginning 8-2. But then ran into a rough patch because of injuries and illness, particularly to their other perennial All-Star center Joel Embiid, who missed nine straight games (Nov. 8-27, 2021) being in health and safety protocols. The 76ers went 2-7 in his absence, including losing five straight games (Nov. 8-16, 2021).

It took a bit of time for the 76ers to get their footing with Embiid back in the lineup as they hovered at or just a smidge being 15-15 on Dec. 16, 2021 following a loss (114-105) at the Nets.

A seven-game winning streak from Dec. 26, 2021 to Jan. 10, 2022 was the springboard for the 76ers’ 36-16 mark the remainder of last season that had them finish at No. 4 spot in the East.

In past seasons, the 76ers were a dominant home team. Last season, that was not the case even though they went 14-7 their final 21 home games after beginning 10-10 at Wells Fargo Center.

76ers Record At Home By Season Since 2017-18
2017-18: 30-11                       2020-21: 29-7
2018-19: 31-10                       2021-22: 24-17
2019-20: 31-4 (before 2020 restart In Orlando, FL)

The 76ers were one of the best road teams in the NBA a season ago thanks to their 21-9 mark their final 30 games on the road, including a 10-4 mark their final 14 road games of 2021-22. The main reason, the play of Embiid.

At the forefront of their turnaround was Embiid (30.6 points-Led NBA, 11.7 rpg-5^th NBA, 49.9 FG%, 37.1 3-Pt.%) and the now five-time All-Star had a spectacular season, which led to his fourth All-NBA Second team selection (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) of his career.

Embiid became the first 76er since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson in 2000-01 season to win the scoring title, which Iverson did four times in his career. He also became the first center since Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal in 1999-00 to win the scoring title. Embiid’s scoring average of 30.6 points in 33.8 minutes a season ago are the fewest minutes averaged in a season by a scoring champion in the 24-Second shot clock era (1954-55). The first international player to win the scoring title in NBA history. On top of that Embiid joined Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo (31.1 ppg: Led NBA, in 1976-77 w/Buffalo Braves) as just the second center in NBA history to average 30 points in a season.

Embiid registered 46 double-doubles, the second most in a season in his eight-year career and was tied with Domantas Sabonis of the Kings for the third most in the NBA in 2021-22. That included 11 straight double-doubles and 17 double-double in the final 21 games of regular season, which included 10 straight games of at least 25 points and 10 rebounds. Embiid in that same span scored 20-plus points in the final 23 games of 2021-22.   

He also joined the late Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlin (33.5 ppg, 24.6 rpg in 1965-66) as just the second player in 76ers history to average 30 points and 10 boards in a season.  

He led the league in 2021-22 in free throws attempted per contest at 11.8, and “The Association” in total free throws made (654) and attempted (803). The 76ers because of Embiid’s aggressive attitude of scoring down low ranked third in the NBA in free throw attempts a season ago at 23.8 and led the league at 82.1 percent at the foul line.

Embiid’s 58 games scoring 20 or more was No. 6 in the league a season ago. That included a league-leading 40 games with 30-plus points, authoring 38 of those contests out of the final 59 games played in 2021-22. He also led the NBA with 13 40-plus point games in 2021-22. He also authored 21 straight games scoring 25-plus points (Dec. 26, 2021-Feb. 15, 2022), the second longest such streak in 76ers history trailing the 27 times Iverson did it in 2001.

Streaks of Scoring At Least 25 Points In At Least 20 Consecutive Games
Kevin Durant (BKN): 29 straight games 2014 and 2009-10 w/Thunder.
Allen Iverson: 27 straight games in 2001 w/76ers.
LeBron James (LAL): in 21 straight games 2008 w/Cavaliers.
Michael Jordan: 21 straight games 1990-91 w/Bulls
Joel Embiid (PHI): 21 straight games in 2021-22 w/76ers
Tracy McGrady: 20 straight games in 2003 w/Magic
Karl Malone: 20 straight games in 1990 w/Jazz

In the 76ers 133-120 victory on Apr. 9 versus the Pacers, Embiid had 41 points and 20 rebounds on 14/17 from the field and 11/15 at the foul line. It was his third career 40-point and 20-rebound game of his career, with all have come against the Pacers. He also joined Hall of Famers Bob Pettit, NBA on TNT studio analyst Charles Barkley, John Drew, and the late Wilt Chamberlin to have 40 points and 20 rebounds in a game on 80 percent from the field.

          Most 40-Point and 10-Rebound Games In a Season Since 1981   
Joel Embiid (PHI) 13 Games 2021-22
Moses Malone: 12 Games 1981-82 w/Rockets
Russell Westbrook (LAL): 12 Games w/Thunder 2016-17 w/Thunder
James Harden (PHI): 10 Games 2018-19 w/Rockets

                   Most 40-Point And 10-Rebound Games 2021-22                   
Joel Embiid (PHI) 13 Games                   Nikola Jokic (DEN): 3 Games
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 10 Games
Luka Doncic (DAL) 4 Games                  LeBron James (LAL): 2 Games

He compiled 10 straight road games scoring 30 points or more (Dec. 16, 2021-Feb. 4), the most since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson eight straight such games (Nov. 16, 2005-Dec. 10, 2006).

Embiid compiled a stretch of 11 straight games where he averaged 34.2 points and 10 boards in road games, the first player to do that since the Lakers Russell Westbrook did it in 2021 with the Washington Wizards.

This incredible production by Embiid was the result of being available for a lengthy period of time for the first time in his career. Counting last season, Embiid due to missing his first two NBA seasons because of injury missed 309 out of a possible 328 games. However, he missed just five games the remainder of 2021-22 playing in 58 of the final 62 games, totaling a career-high 68 games played in 2021-22.

                   Joel Embiid By Games Last Four Seasons                 
 Season           Games Played            Games Missed
2018-19                    64                                18
2019-20                    51                                22
2020-21                    51                                21
2021-22                    68                                14

76ers in            With Embiid                 Without Embiid
2021-22                45-23             W-L             6-8
                             +4.5            Pt. Diff.          -5.0
                             110.9             PPG            105.8    

The 76ers on Feb. 10 were able to finally put the Simmons saga to rest at Feb. 10 trade deadline in dealing him to the Nets along with sharp-shooter Seth Curry, reserve center Andre Drummond, a 2022 and 2027 First Round pick. In return, the 76ers acquired James Harden, reuniting him with 76ers President Daryl Morey.

Harden (22.0 ppg, 10.3 apg: 2^nd NBA, 7.7 rpg in 65 games w/Nets & 76ers) and Embiid were able to create some good chemistry in their two-man game on the hardwood early on, which allowed the 2021-22 runner-up for Kia MVP to be a more efficient scorer by getting easier shots at the rim.

James Harden  44 Games w/Nets: 22.5 points, 10.2 assists, 8.0 rebounds; 29 double-doubles
In 2021-22        21 Games w/76ers: 21.0 points, 10.5 assists, 7.1 rebounds; 13 double-doubles

It was on full display in Harden’s first game as 76er when he registered 27 points, 12 assists, and eight boards on 7/12 shooting, including 5/7 from three. Embiid led the way with 34 points and 10 rebounds on 10/18 shooting, including 3/5 from three and 11/13 at the charity stripe in the 76ers 133-102 blowout victory at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 25.

The 76ers went 19-10 following the acquisition of Harden, including 15-8 when he was in the lineup since his debut.

With the trade though, the 76ers lost some major fire power on the perimeter in sending Curry and over 40 percent shooting from three to the Nets.

It opened the door for second-year guard Tyrese Maxey (17.5 4.3 apg, 48.5 FG%, 42.7 3-Pt.%) to take his game to an even higher level, which he did in 2021-22.

The No. 21 overall pick in 2020 out of University of Kentucky averaged 9.5 more points, shot 11.6 percent better from the field, and was a plus 2.3 percent better from three-point range from his rookie season to now. As a rookie the season before, Maxey made in limited action 31 triples (31/103 3-Pt.). In 2021-22, Maxey made 132 threes (132/309 3-Pt.). His 15 games scoring 25 points or more a season ago was the most amongst first and second-year players.

Maxey before the All-Star break was averaging 16.9 points and 4.6 assists on 46.9 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from three-point range. Post All-Star break, he rose those averages to 18.7 points on 52.3 percent from the floor and 48.0 percent on his triple tries. 

While Maxey emerged as the third option on offense, especially after the arrival of Harden, there was the hope that Tobias Harris (17.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 48.7 FG%, 36.7 3-Pt.%) would have developed into that, especially after his big payday a couple of seasons back. The native of Long Island, NY though has remained steady to where he made over 115 threes a season ago (120/202 3-Pt.).

In the First Round of the 2022 Playoffs, the 76ers locked horns with the No. 5 Seeded Raptors and for a team that entered the postseason with a lot of pressure to at least reach the Eastern Conference Finals, the 76ers the first two games looked up to the challenge. 

They took Game1 versus the Raptors 131-11 Apr. 16 on ESPN, leading from late in the first quarter on outscoring the Raptors 34-24 in the second quarter to lead 69-51 at the half and led by as many as 24 points. They held off a Raptors comeback after the close to within 11 points in the third quarter.

The demolition got underway in the first half where the 76ers outrebounded the Raptors 25-15; outscored the Raptors 12-3 in second chance points and had no turnovers compared to the four by the Raptors.

76ers in Game 1 outrebounded the Raptors 39-35, including 10-7 on the offensive glass. Outscored the Raptors 50-48 in the paint; 29-10 in fastbreak points and 17-7 in second chance points. They were 16/32 on their threes and 29/34 at the charity stripe.

For Game 1, the 76ers had just four turnovers, with their first turnover coming on the first possession of the third quarter.

Maxey had a playoff career-high 38 points on 14/21 shooting and 5/8 from three-point range, with 23 points on 8/11 shooting in the second half. He authored 21 of those 23 second half points in the third quarter.

Maxey 21 became the youngest player to score 30 in a Playoff opener in franchise history and third youngest to 38-plus points in NBA Playoff history, behind Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson (20) and Lakers LeBron James (21) w/Cavaliers.

Most Points In A Playoff Opener In 76ers History
Allen Iverson          55 Points      2003
Wilt Chamberlin   41 Points       1967
Allen Iverson         40 Points       2000
Tyrese Maxey        38 Points        2022
Charles Barkley    38 Points       1990
Moses Malone       38 Points        1983

Harris had 26 points, six rebounds, and six assists (9/14 FGs) making 3/5 from three.

Harden had 22 points, 14 assists and five rebounds on 4/7 from three-point range, while Embiid had 19 points and 15 rebounds, making 9/11 at the foul line.

The 76ers used dominant second and third quarter to win Game 2 versus the Raptors 112-97 Apr. 18 on TNT, overcoming an early nine-point deficit outscoring the Raptors 35-19 in the second quarter to lead 67-25 at intermission. Then outscored Toronto 28-19 in the third quarter to lead 95-73 after three quarters and led the game by as many as 27 points.

 

 

Embiid led the 76ers in Game 2 with 31 points and 11 rebounds (9/16 FGs) going 12/14 at the charity stripe. Maxey had 23 points eight assists, and nine rebounds, going 3/6 on his threes. Harris had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds with three block and 3/3 on this triple tries. Harden added 14 points with six assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

76ers went 14/30 from three-point range in Game 2 and 26-30 at the four line. Had 12 block shots. They shot 52.2 percent from the field (36/69 FGs) after shooting 51.2FG (43/84 FGs) in Game 1.

The party got started for the home standing 76ers again in the opening half where they were 8/15 from three and 21/23 at the charity stripe compared to the Raptors 6/17 from three and 6/7 at the foul line.

First Two                 TOR: 3-Pt: 23/62 3-Pt and Free Throws: 29/35
Games of series       PHI:   3-Pt.: 30/62 and Free Throws: 55/64

Embiid, who authored his 10^th career 30/10 (points/rebounds) game in his postseason career had a playoff career-high for a quarter with 19 points in the opening period after 19 points total in Game 1.

Embiid and Maxey combined for 33 points on 7/14 shooting and 18/19 at the free throw line in the first half.

The 76ers scored 19 points on 8/9 shooting off passes from Maxey in Game 2 and he held Raptors Fred VanVleet to 2/12 from the floor as the primary. 

Youngest Players With 60-Plus Points Totaled on 60 Percent Shooting 2-Game Span In NBA Postseason History
                                                            Season                      Years/Days      
LeBron James (LAL)                       2006                   21/116  w/Cavaliers
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)                         2022                        21/165
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL)      2017                        22/189
Amar’e Stoudemire                          2005                        22/189 w/Suns
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar                     1970                        22/348 w/Bucks

The 76ers put a tight grip on the series with a 104-101 overtime win in Game 3 Apr. 20 on NBATV, to up in the series 3-0.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They overcame a 17-point second quarter deficit (down 56-46 at half) outscoring the Raptors 28-19 in the third to cut their deficit to 75-74 after three quarters. Were down 95-90 with 2:03 left in the final period and tied it after Harden split a pair of free throws. Embiid’s potential game-winning triple missed in the final seconds as well as putback on an offensive rebound that forced overtime. Embiid got another chance and hit a three-pointer at the shot clock buzzer and with 00.8 seconds left in overtime to put the 76ers up 104-101 and wound up being the game-winner.

It was Embiid’s first career game-tying or go ahead shot in the final seconds of fourth quarter and overtime and it was the first go-ahead game winning field goal by a 76ers player since 2009.  

Embiid finished with 33 points and 13 rebounds on 13/20 from the floor, 3/8 from three-point range (6/9 FTs). Harden had his second double-double of the series with 19 points and 10 assists with six rebounds. Maxey also had 19 points while Harris also had a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.

76ers overcame a season-high 24 turnovers and were just 15/20 at the foul line and 13/31 from three-point range in their first postseason win since May 18, 2002, versus the Celtics where they overcame a deficit as high as 17 points.

The Raptors were not swept taking Game 4 from the visiting 76ers 110-102 Apr. 23 on TNT.

While the 76ers shot 13/31 from three-point range and 21/25 at the charity stripe, they shot just 41.9 percent overall from the field; were outrebounded 46-41, including 13-6 on the offensive glass; outscored 42-38 in the paint; 21-10 in fastbreak points; and gave up 22 points to the Raptors off their 16 turnovers.

Harden had 22 points, nine assists, and five boards on 10/11 at the foul line, but shot just 5/17 from the field, including 2/8 from three.

Embiid had 21 points and eight rebounds on 71/6 shooting, but started poorly with eight points on 3/10 shooting, including just one point on 0/5 shooting with two turnovers in the opening period.

Maxey had 11 points on 4/12 shooting, with six assists and six rebounds.

The 76ers let a golden opportunity slip away as they lost Game 5 at home 103-88 to see the series lead cut to 3-2.

After trailing by as many as 12 points in the opening half, the 76ers pulled with five points at 90-85 with 8:20 left in the fourth period on a layup by Harden. But the 76ers never got the lead. 

Embiid had 20 points and 13 rebounds, but also had four turnovers and was six free throw attempts (6/6 FTs). Harris had 16 points and seven rebounds on just 6/16 shooting, hitting just 2/6 from three. Harden had 15 points and seven assists on just 4/11 shooting and 2/6 from three.

As a team, the 76ers shot just 38.3 percent from the floor (31/81 FGs) in Game 5.

The 76ers finally put the Raptors away winning Game 6 at the Raptors 132-97 Apr. 28 on NBATV, blowing the game open with a 17-0 run over a four-minute span of the after leading 7-67 with 9:42 left in the third quarter to go up 87-67 and led 99-78 after three quarters outscoring the Raptors 37-17 in the third period after leading 62-61 at the half.

3^rd Quarter     PHI                 TOR
Summary        37      Points    17
                      11/19      FGs    5/19
                       6/10      3-Pt.    2/11
                       9/10      FTs      5/6

Embiid led the way with 33 points and 10 rebounds with three blocks on 12/18 from the field and 9/10 at the foul line. Maxey had 25 points and eight assists on 5/12 from three. Harden had 22 points and 15 assists with six boards. Harris also had a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds making three triples.

Embiid had his third 30/10 (points/rebounds) game of the series and the 12^th of his postseason career.

Most 30/10 (Points/Rebounds) Games In 76ers Postseason History
Wilt Chamberlin: 14
Dolph Schayes:     13
Joel Embiid:         12

The good vibes the 76ers had closing out the Raptors were short lived as they lost the opener of the East Semis 106-92 at the Heat May 2 on TNT.

They trailed by as many as 14 points in the opening period. But a 19-7 run to close the second quarter as they outscored the Heat 29-20 in the second period to lead 51-50 at the half. After scoring the first four points of the third to lead 55-50, the Heat scored 18 points on nine possessions midway through the third to go up 10 and used a 13-2 run early in the fourth quarter to put the 76ers away.

Harris in defeat led the 76ers with 27 points and six rebounds on 11/18 shooting. Maxey added 19 points, while Harden had just 16 points, five assists, and nine rebounds on 5/13 from the floor, including 2/7 on his threes.

76ers in Game 1 at the Heat were 6/34 from three, with Maxey going 0/7 from three.

Embiid was out for Game 1 after he sustained a right orbital fracture/mild concussion after taking an elbow from Raptors’ Pascal Siakam on a drive to the hoop in the fourth quarter of Game 6 clincher.

It did not get better in Game 2 for the 76ers as they lost 119-103 at the Heat to be down 2-0 in a series for the first time since a five-game defeat in First-Round in 2005 versus the Pistons.

The 76ers trailed from midway in the first quarter on after leading by as many as five points. They shot just 8/30 from three-point range, to be a total of 14/64 on their triple tries the first two games of this series.   

Maxey had 34 points on 12/22 shooting and 9/11 at the foul line, while Harris had 21 points and four steals. Harden while he scored 20 points with nine assists was just 6/15 shooting, including 1/5 from three.

Harden First Two    Game 1:  1^st Half: 12 Points 4/9 FGs; 2^nd Half 4 Points 1/4 FGs
Games of Series       Game 2:  1^st Half: 16 Points, 5 Assists 5/10 FGs; 2^nd Half: 4 Points
                                                   4 Assists, 1/5 FGs

Embiid (right orbital fracture/mild concussion) missed his second straight game.

A strong second half by 76ers and the return of Embiid led to a 99-79 win in Game 3, May 6 on ESPN to cut the series deficit to 2-1.

The 76ers led for the nearly the entire game up by as many as 13 points and outscored the Heat 31-14 in the fourth quarter to get the victory.

Maxey led the way with 21 points (all in the 2^nd half; 0 Points, 0/3 FGs 1^st Half) with six assists and two steals on 5/6 from three-point range. Embiid in his return from a two-game absence had 18 points and 11 rebounds on 5/12 shooting and 8/10 from three in 36 minutes. Harden had 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on  8/8 at the foul line but was just 4/11 from the field (1/7 3-Pt.). Harris nine points, 10 rebounds, eight assist on 4/13 shooting and 1/5 from three.

Embiid and Harden scored seven and nine points respectably in the first quarter playing 10 of the 12 minutes. Embiid in his return had 7 points and seven rebounds while Harden had 15 points on 3/6 shooting and 8/8 at the foul line in the opening half.

76ers In Game 3        1^st Half: 41 Points; 12/35 FGs (34.3 FG%); 5/14 3-Pt.; 12/14 FTs;
                                    10 Turnovers.
                                    2nd Half: 58 Points; 20/32 FGs (62.5 FG%), 11/19 3-Pt.; 7/8 FTs,
                                    9 Turnovers

3^rd Quarter Summary           MIA                 PHI
for Game 3                             14      Points     31
                                                3/15      FGs     11/16
                                                20%    FG%    68.8%
                                                1/8       3-Pt.      6/10
                                                 4    Rebounds   10
                                                 2      Assists        8

76ers after totaling 14/64 on their threes the first two games were 16/33 on their threes in Game 3. Outscored the Heat in Game 3 19-6 in fastbreak points; outrebounded the Heat 43-36 and had 22 assists on their 32 made field goals. 

76ers 3-Pt First      Games 1-2: Maxey: 2/10; Harden: 3/12; Harris: 3/9
Three Games                     Game 3: Maxey: 5/6; Harden: 1/7; Harris: 1/5

Maxey’s 21 points in the second half of Game 3, most by a 76ers player past 30 postseasons after going scoreless in the first half.

The 76ers tied the series at 2-2 with a strong close in the fourth period in their 116-108 win in Game 4 May 8 on TNT, leading by as many as 14 points and used a 15-2 run to hold off a Heat rally.

Harden led the way with 31 points, nine assists and seven rebounds (8/18 FGs) going 6/10 from three-point range and 9/10 at the charity stripe.

Embiid added a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds going 7/13 from the field and 9/13 at the foul line, scoring 15 of those 24 points in the opening period. Maxey scored 18, while Harris had 13 points. Niang scored 10.

The 76ers shot a series-best 54.4 percent from the field (37/68 FGs), going 16/33 from three and 26/34 at the charity stripe.

Harden who started Game 4 with zero points on 0/4 shooting in the opening period had all of his 31 points over the next three quarters including 16 points on 5/9 shooting, including 4/6 from three in the fourth period, after just 15 points on 3/9 shooting and 2/4 from three the first three quarters on route to his first 30-plus point game of this postseason and 45^th of his postseason career. It snapped a string for Harden of 13 consecutive Playoff games scoring under 25 points, the second longest such streak of his career. 

Harden in 2^nd             Games 1-3                 Game 4
Half in series                  3.3          Points          18
                                        21%     FG%/FGs     5/11
                                        0/8            3-Pt.           4/7
                                        4/4     Free Throws    4/4

Harden By Half       1^st Half               2^nd Half  
1^st 3 Games                  56       Points       10
                                   15/32      FGs        3/14
                                    6/14       3-Pt.        0/8

The 76ers again played flat at the Heat like in Games 1 and 2 got blown off the Heat’s floor  in Game 5 120-85 May 10 on TNT to trail in the series 3-2.

It was the worst margin of defeat in the postseason career of Coach Rivers (35 points) as his team shot just 36.5 percent from the field (31/85 FGs) and were 9/32 from three-point range. Were outscored 56-36 in the paint; had just 14 assists compared to 16 turnovers that led to 23 Heat points as they trailed by as many as 37 points.

76ers In          Embiid: 17 Points; 5 Rebounds; 7/12 FGs; 3/3 FTs 
Game 5           Harden: 14 Points; 6 Rebounds; 4 Assists; 5/13 FGs: 2/6 3-Pt.
                        Harris: 12 Points; 3 Rebounds; 5/14 FGs: 2/4 3-Pt.
                        Maxey: 9 Points; 2/10 FGs: 1/4 3-Pt.

Once again, the 76ers postseason concluded in the Semis as the Heat closed them out back in Philadelphia in Game 6 99-90 on May 12 on ESPN, getting outscored 50-42 in the second half, including 25-15 in the third quarter behind a 16-2 run by the Heat that put them up to stay leading by as many as 20 points.

They achieved their 12 straight seasons without reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the fourth longest drought in NBA Playoff history. Their last East Finals appearance 2001 lost to the Bucks in seven games.

The 76ers also fell to 1-19 all-time in best-of-seven series they trail 3-2, with their lone series win 1955 NBA Finals as Syracuse Nationals over the then Fort Wayne (now Detroit) Pistons. They fell to 0-20 all-time in Playoff series they trail 0-2, including an 0-14 mark when down 0-2 in a best-of-seven series.

Embiid had 20 points and 12 rebounds but was just 7/24 shooting, including 2/8 from three-point range and 4/4 at the foul line. Maxey also had 20 points, but too struggled shooting on just 9/22 from the field and 1/7 from three-point range. Milton had 15 points on (6/8 FGs) and 3/4 from three. Harris had 14 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Harden had just 11 points with nine assists on 4/9 shooting, including 3/7 on his threes.

In the opening half of Game 6, Embiid had 14 points on just 5/14 shooting, while Harden had 11 points on 4/7 from the field. They both really struggled in the second half with Embiid registering just four points on 2/10 from the floor and Harden in 22:52 seconds of the second half had zero points on 0/2 shooting and 0/0 at the foul line.

It was Harden’s first career game (regular season or Playoffs) playing 40 minutes with no free throw attempts. Counting Game 5, Harden went 1/7 shooting in the second half as he attempted just one field goal in the third and fourth period respectably. His final field goal in Game 6 came at the 3:31 mark of second quarter.

It was clear from the last two postseasons that the 76ers did not have the right mix to get them to the championship round or at least into the title round of the Eastern Conference. An upgrade to the roster was needed, badly. 

That construction began on Draft night where they 76ers in a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies acquired veteran guard De’Anthony Melton (10.8 ppg, 4. 5rpg, 37.4 3-Pt.%) and dealt the draft rights to forward David Roddy (No. 23 overall pick) out of Colorado State University and veteran forward/guard Danny Green.

Before the start of free agency on June 29, Harden in a show of teamwork to help the 76ers upgrade the roster opted out of his $47.4 million player option.

Morey used his Rockets connections and that led the 76ers to signing officially on July 6 in free agency with former Rockets in forward P.J. Tucker, 37 (7.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 48.4 FG%, 41.5 3-Pt.% w/Heat) on a three-year, $33.2 million deal and forward/guard Danuel House, Jr. (5.9 ppg, 37.6 3-Pt.% in 42 games w/Rockets, Knicks & Jazz) on a two-year, $8.5 million deal.

In early September, the 76ers also added some depth to their front court with the signing of 2019-20 Kia Sixth Man of the Year in forward/center Montrezl Harrell (13.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 64.5 FG% 71 games w/Wizards & Hornets) on a two-year, $5.2 million deal, which includes a player option for 2023-24 season.

When the 76ers lost to the Heat in Game 6 of the East Semis to end their season, Harden in his postgame presser was asked if he would remain with the team, he said he would be here.

Harden was good on his word signing a two-year, $68.6 million deal officially on July 29, which includes a player option for the 2023-24 season.  

While Harden, 33 should be commended for the gesture he showed Morey and the 76ers front office for opting out of his deal and giving them all the salary cap space necessary to upgrade the roster, it came somewhat out of necessity.

The 2018 Kia MVP experienced a major decline in his scoring, shooting percentages both from the field (41.0%) and three-point range (33.0 %; 148/448 3-Pt.). Any leverage he had in negotiating for a super max extension especially after what happened in the 2022 Playoffs went out the window. He could have opted out and looked for his payday elsewhere. However, it is not like Harden bank account is not in the red. He has banked over $300 million in salary and endorsement. Taking a haircut to get the one thing missing from his resume, a championship is a pretty good deal to take, which he did.

Most Points In An NBA Postseason Career Without Winning A Title
                                      Points              Games Played
Karl Malone                 4,761                        193
Elgin Baylor                 3,633                        134
James Harden (PHI)   3,414                        149
Reggie Miller                2,972                        144
Charles Barkley           2,833                        123

 

James Harden Last                                       Points         FT Att.
Three Postseasons       2020 w/Rockets         29.6              9.7
                                      2021 w/Nets               20.2              6.9
                                      2022 w/76ers             18.6              6.3       

Harden also put a major focus on getting into tip-top shape saying at Media Day on Sept. 26 to NBATV’s Nabil Karim from eating properly. Getting “proper rest.” Being “strategic” on the work he put in over the summer.

“I’ve always for the most part been a pretty good hard worker. But just doing things necessary for my legs. Strengthening my legs and making sure we don’t have those problems like we’ve have the last few years.”

In Tucker, the 76ers got someone who will make threes, rebound well from his position, and can guard some of the best scorers in “The Association.” He put that on full display specifically with the Bucks in 2021 and helped them win their first title in five decades. Last season he went to South Beach and fit like a glove into Heat culture, where hard work, toughness, intensity, and defense are hallmarks everyone there is expected to play up to. He also is very solid three-point shooter where at age 37 shot a career-high 41.5 percent (80/193 3-Pt.). In his time with the Rockets (2017-21), Tucker shot 37.6 percent from three-point range (295/1,052 3-Pt.)  

The Rockets in their three-plus seasons with Tucker, Harden, House, Jr. (2018-22) and Morey together (2017-21), they went 97-57 in the regular season and reached 2018 West Finals and 2019 West Semis losing in 7 and 6 Games respectably to the Warrior

The major concern for him is will “Father Time” catch up with him? The good thing about that is Tucker keep himself in tip-top shape and that hopefully will allow him to keep the lateral quickness he will need in defending some of the better perimeter scorers in the NBA this upcoming season.

“Every year now, I feel like so much more valuable to me in my career being able to help a team be able to win it,” Tucker said about his feeling about being that missing individual a team needs to win it all. “I know what it feels like. And looking at the makeup of this team, I just see myself kind of insert myself in my mind and see how the team would be. I just think we’ve got a chance to do something special this year.”

In House, Jr., and Melton, the 76ers have a pair of serviceable wings whose shooting and perimeter defensive savvy should provide depth to the 76ers, which lost that when they dealt Curry and Drummond at the aforementioned Feb. 10 trade deadline to get Harden. 

The sharp shooting that was left over in George Niang (9.2 ppg, 40.3 3-Pt.%) Shake Milton (8.2 ppg), Furkan Korkmaz (7.6 ppg), just did not cut the mustard as all three respectably shot 43.7, 42.9, and 38.7 percent from the floor a season ago. Other than Niang’s 40.2 percent from three-point range (56/387 3-Pt.) in 2021-22, Milton, who missed 26 games in total a season ago because of health and safety protocols, a sprained right ankle back issues shot just 32.3 percent (43/133 3-Pt.) from three-point range. Korkmaz shot a career-low 28.9 percent on his triple tries (77/266 3-Pt.).

Last season, only the Bulls (26.7) and Raptors (25.7) averaged less points from their reserves than the 76ers (27.2).

House, Jr. in his time with the Rockets averaged 9.2 points on 36.9 percent from three (267/723 3-Pt.). His best season of his six-year NBA career came with the Rockets in 2019-20 when he averaged a career-high of 10.5 points and 4.2 rebounds on 36.3 percent from three, making a career-best 129 triples (129/355 3-Pt.).

“They have great potential here. A good coaching staff. Great organization and it has a lot of tradition,” House, Jr. said at Media Day on why he signed with the 76ers. “So, saw a great opportunity.”

House, Jr. added about being reunited with Morey, Harden and Tucker saying, “I feel it’s the higher power.”

“It does make everything comfortable when I did my decision when they did call me. So, having that comfort and playing with players that played with you and know your game is always going to make you feel at ease.”

Melton’s breakout season came a year ago with the Grizzlies, where he had career-high averages in points, rebounds, total steals (103), and made threes at 139 (139/372 3-Pt.). In 15 games as a starter, Melton averaged 11.8 points on 36.0 percent on his threes.

“I think given my play style and what the team brough me here to do, it’s just to impact the game every which way possible.” Melton said at Media Day about his role with the 76ers. “It can be getting a loose ball, rebound, guard somebody. So, I think I’ll be able to fill in perfectly with them. Cause I think everybody understand what we’re trying to do and we’ve got to do it as a team.”    

Last season the 76ers were No. 7 in three-point percentage at 36.4 percent. But were No. 22 in three made (11.6) and No. 27 in threes attempted (31.8).

The additions of Tucker, House, Jr., and Melton should raise those numbers in terms of threes made and attempted way up, which will provide more room for Embiid to operate in the post and for Harden to have more driving lanes when he is one-on-one specifically at the top of the key.  

The 76ers showed what can happen when they are making and taking threes at a high clip mixed in with Embiid dominating scoring wise in the paint.

                                   76ers Final Five Games of 2021-22                                                             
    Date              Opponent          Points    3-Pt.    3-Pt.%           Result     
4/2/2022         Vs. Hornets           144      21/43    48.8%       144-114 Win
4/3/2022         At Cavaliers          112      11/31    35.5%       122-108 Win
4/5/2022         At Pacers               131      23/40    57.5%       131-122 Win
4/7/2022         At Raptors            114      19/36    52.8%       119-114 Loss
4/9/2022         Vs. Pacers             133      12/34    35.3%       133-120 Win
4/10/2022       Vs. Pistons            118       5/25     20.0%       118-106 Win

In 2021-22 When the 76ers scored 100 points or more, they were 50-15 and just 1-16 when they scored under 100 points. When they shot 50 percent from the field or better, they were 28-2 a season ago.

The upgrades the 76ers brought should also make them better defensively, particularly on the perimeter where they have one of the best perimeter defenders in the league in swingman Matisse Thybulle (5.7 ppg, 50.0 FG%, who made the All-Defensive Second Team for the second straight season.  

                                76ers Defensive NBA Ranks In 2021-22                                
45.8 opp. FG%: 14^th NBA                            -1.8 Rebounding Differential: 21^st
34.6 opp. 3-Pt.%: 9^th NBA                           7.7 Steals: 9^th NBA
11.4 opp. made 3-Pt.: 2^nd NBA                    5.3 Blocks: 6^th NBA
38.6 3-Pt. attempts: 6^th NBA

Harrell, who played for Coach Rivers (2017-20) as well as assistant coach Sam Cassell was available still in free agency because he was charged with a felony of marijuana trafficking, which was reduced to a misdemeanor in Madison County (Kentucky) on Aug. 31. Harrell was pulled over in Richmond, KY by a state trooper on May 12 for driving behind a vehicle too slowly. The trooper said that he smelled marijuana and discovered three pounds of it in a vacuum sealed back inside of a backpack in the backseat of Harrell’s vehicle. That led to Harrell being charged with trafficking less than five pounds of marijuana.

By pleading guilty to the misdemeanor, Harrell avoided a five-year prison sentence and will have the charges expunged from his record after a year if he keeps his nose clean.

As far as what Harrell brings to the 76ers, he will be the understudy to Embiid and can fill in as a starter if Embiid misses time because of injury, which has happened over the course of career.

“It wasn’t a hard decision to be able to come here. And definitely with the rotation that they have and the things they’ve built overtime and seeing the transition in the way they’re angling to go. I just feel like I fit that nature to where they want to be.” 

While the 76ers upgraded the roster with P.J. Tucker, Danuel House, Jr., De’Anthony Melton, and Montrezl Harrell, and seemed to have the necessary depth to be a legitimate title contender. It means nothing if James Harden and Joel Embiid cannot get on the same page, remain healthy and play at a high cohesive level both individually and collectively.

Embiid last season played in a career-high 68 games, looked, and played the part of player that earned his place in the Kia MVP conversation. For him though, individual awards are no longer important, it is about winning a title and he feels he needs to not only be available but play a complete on both ends.

“To be able to win at this level, you’ve got to have everything,” Embiid said to Karim at Media Day. “You can’t be one of the main pieces on a team and be limited. You’ve got to be able to do everything out on the basketball court. So, that is always be my goal.” 

Along with Embiid and Harden playing at a high level, the 76ers need Coach Rivers to be the coach that connection he had with that 2007-08 Celtics squad that won it all and the 2009-10 squad that came one quarter away from winning title No. 18.

Among active head coaches, only Spurs sideline leader Gregg Popovich has more victories (1,344), the most in NBA history by a head coach than the 1,043 victories by Rivers.
When the 76ers won at the Bulls (114-105) on Nov. 6, 2021, Coach Rivers became the 10^th head coach in NBA history to achieve 1,000 career wins joining the aforementioned Coach Popovich (1,344), Hall of Famers Don Nelson (1,335), Lenny Wilkens (1,332), the late Jerry Sloan (1,221), Heat executive Pat Riley (1,210), Phil Jackson (1,155), and Larry Brown (1,098), and George Karl (1,175).

Coach Rivers however has accumulated the most defeats in potential series clinching contest in NBA Playoff history with 31 with a win percentage of .326 in such scenarios, the lowest in NBA Playoff history (min. of 20 games). Second on that list is Coach Riley at 27 losses (.597 win%) and tied for third are Coach Jackson (.727 win%) and Coach Sloan (.488 win%) at 21 losses respectably.

Coach Rivers has gone 2-7 in his last nine close out games in the postseason, includes his 1-1 mark in the First-Round this past spring against the Raptors. He has gone 14-17 in his career in elimination games in the postseason.

The Philadelphia 76ers have made it to the Playoffs five straight seasons. In they have reached the East Semis in four out of those five seasons. They have flamed out in dramatic fashion. Their flameout two seasons back resulted in one half of their then dynamic duo wanting out after he was thrown under bus for how he played in 2021 East Semis. The player that replaced him via trade flame out in the pressure cooker in 2022 East Semis.

The 76ers this offseason improved their roster adding two-way players who are tough and can shoot. They added tough individuals, both physically and mentally.

 

With good health and their ability to quickly mesh together on both ends of the hardwood, the 76ers have as a chance of reaching not just the Eastern Conference Finals but The Finals for the first time since 2001 and are looking to win the Larry O’Brien trophy for the first time since 1983 when this blogger was all a mere two years old.

“I like us on paper. But paper doesn't play,” Coach Rivers said to Karim about the 76ers roster entering this season. “This has to be a season of we, you know. Not me. This cannot be a me season. And if we get that par right, I like our chances.”

Best Case Scenario: The Sixers are a Top 3 team in the East. Joel Embiid wins his first Kia MVP. James Harden returns to being a Top 10 player. The 76ers have a Top 5 offense and a Top 5 defense. They remain healthy. The 76ers make it to The Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The 76ers have another early postseason exit. Embiid and Harden battle injuries again. The new additions do not build any comradery around Embiid and Harden.  

Grade: A

Toronto Raptors: 48-34 (3^rd Atlantic Division; No. 5 Seed East) 24-17 at home, 24-17 on the road. Lost to No. 4 Seeded Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in East Quarterfinals.

-109.4 ppg-20^th; opp. ppg: 107.1-7^th; 45.3 rpg-8^th

No one was more affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic than the Toronto Raptors, who spent almost a season-and-half outside of Canada. They got back to a sense of normalcy last season and led by two key members of their title team three seasons back and the 2021-22 Kia Rookie of the Year, they nearly won 50 games with a lineup when healthy played their 6-foot-8 forward at center, who authored a career-year. With most of the team coming back, along with the addition of championship experience, the goal for the Raptors this season to make it back to the Playoffs and be a threat.

The Raptors began 2021-22 9-13 and were 14-17 following a five-game winning streak (Oct. 27-Nov. 3, 2021) and three three-game winning streaks (Nov. 5-10, 2021; Nov. 13-18, 2021; Nov. 26-30, 2021). They would go 34-17 their final 51 games of last season, ignited by a five-game winning streak (Dec. 31, 2021-Jan. 11, 2022). That also included an eight-game (Jan. 29-Feb. 10, 2022) as part of a 14-4 mark their final 18 games of last season.

Raptors had strong finish to 2021-22 at home going 22-9 their final 31 games at Scotiabank Arena, that included a 14-5 mark their final 19 home games. They also went 17-11 their final 28 road games.

After spending the last two seasons playing essentially all road games first in the restart in Orlando, FL and the entire 2020-21 campaign at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL because of the COVID-19 global pandemic. On Sept 10, 2021 the Raptors were granted permission by the Canadian Government to play home games at Scotiabank Arena for the first time since March 2020.

Another late COVID-19 surge however in late December restricted fans from attending Raptors home games. They began allowing a few hundred fans back to attend home games in the middle of February and back to full capacity in March, with the first full capacity home game coming in the Raptors 109-108 victory versus the Nets on Mar. 1. It was the first home game that allowed full fan attendance since Dec. 13, 2021.

The Raptors in 2021-22 reached the mark they did by producing a winning record against teams .500 or better (28-22) and against sub .500 teams (20-12). They were 26-19 in clutch time.

Three major reasons why head coach Nick Nurse’s squad made it back to the postseason after a one-year absence

One, the re-emergence of All-Star Pascal Siakam (22.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 5.3 apg, 49.4 FG%, 34.4 3-Pt.%), who did a complete 180 from his play in 2020-21 to earn his second All-NBA selection of his career, making the Third Team (Second Team selection in 2020).

Two, the No. 4 overall pick in 2021 NBA Draft Scottie Barnes (15.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 49.2 FG%) came out of nowhere to join Damon Stoudamire (1996) and future Hall of Famer Vince Carter (1999) as the three rookies in Raptors history win Kia Rookie of the Year.

Third, guard Fred VanVleet (20.3 ppg, 6.7 apg, 1.7 spg, 37.1 3-Pt.%) had a career-year to earn his first career All-Star selection, joining John Starks (1994 w/Knicks), Hall of Famer Ben Wallace (2003-06 w/Pistons) and Brad Miller (2003 & 2004 w/Kings) as the four players that went undrafted to be named an All-Star.

After missing the first 10 games of 2021-22 because of offseason left shoulder surgery and 14 games in total a season ago, Siakam, the 2019 Kia Most Improved Player registered a career-high 46 20-plus point in 2021-22. That included 14 30-plus point games, the second most in a season in his career. He also registered a career-best 30 double-doubles and 15 20/10/5 (points/rebounds/assists) games last season after registering six just games in 2020-21.

In the Raptors 115-112 victory Mar. 28 versus the Celtics, Siakam had his fourth career 40-point game with 40 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two blocks on 17/29 shooting.

With Siakam in the lineup since 2017-18, the Raptors have gone 223-122, including 40-28 a season ago. Without Siakam, the Raptors gone just 22-23, including 8-6 in 2021-22.

For most of his life, VanVleet was probably told he was too short and not good enough to play in college let alone the NBA. Ever since he joined the Raptors as an undrafted rookie six seasons back, all he has done is go from a bench warmer to playing in the G League to a starter, a champion, an All-Star and a solid guard.

In the Raptors 114-109 loss versus the Heat, VanVleet broke now Heat All-Star guard Kyle Lowry’s single-season franchise record for total threes made at 239 and totaled 242 threes made in 2021-22 (242/642 3-Pt.).

VanVleet registered 46 games in 2021-22 making three-plus triples, including 20 games making five or more threes. Nine games six or more made triples.

Fred VanVleet’s Scoring And Three Attempted Last Four Seasons
                                    PPG        3-Pt. Attempts Per game
2018-19                       11.0                          4.6
2019-20                       17.6                          6.9
2020-21                       19.6                          9.2
2021-22                       20.3                          9.9

After registering seven total 20-point games his first three NBA seasons, VanVleet has totaled, 22, 27, and a career-best 33 games scoring 20 or more.

VanVleet totaled 10 career 30-point games in the last three seasons. He registered eight such games in 2021-22. He also set a new career-high with 10 double-doubles after totaling 14 his first five NBA seasons, with all 14 coming from 2018-21.

From Dec. 31, 2021-Jan. 4, 2022, VanVleet scored 31, 35 and 33 points versus the Clippers, Knicks, and Spurs, becoming the fourth player in NBA History that went undrafted to score 30 or more in three consecutive games, joining the late Hall of Famer Moses Malone, former Raptors guard Mike James, and the late Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins.

In the Raptors 122-108 victory versus the Jazz on Jan. 7, VanVleet had his first career triple-double of 37 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.

Fred VanVleet’s Highest Scoring Months Of His NBA Career
Mar. 2021: 20.0 ppg      Feb. 2021: 22.1 ppg
Nov. 2021: 21.3 ppg      Jan. 2022: 22.8 ppg
Dec. 2021: 22.0 ppg  

In January, Siakam and VanVleet each totaled 361 and 102 points and 314 and 108 assists respectably.

Duos Since 1976-77 NBA/ABA Merger To Register At Least 325 Total Points and 100 Total Assists In A Calendar Month
Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Norm Nixon Dec. 1979 w/Lakers
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Jan. 1992 w/Bulls
Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet Jan. 2022 w/Raptors

Entering last season, Barnes was a relatively unknown player. But the No. 4 overall pick out of Florida State quickly put the league on notice that the Raptors found themselves a player that can become a star.

Barnes became the first player in Raptors history as a rookie to register at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 250 assists in a season. He

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 122-11 win versus the Rockets.

The 2021-22 All-Rookie First Team selection finished third amongst his rookie classmates with 13 double-doubles and was tied with Magic’s Franz Wagner with 17 20-point games.

Barnes had season-highs of 31 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists on 14/21 shooting in the Raptors 128-123 overtime loss versus the Lakers.

He had 28 points, 16 rebounds, and five steals on 12/14 shooting in the Raptors 123-97 win at the Nets. The last two rookies to register 25-plus points, 15-plus boards, and five-plus steals Vince Carter Dec. 7, 2001 with the Raptors versus the Nuggets with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and five steals and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal with Magic on Mar. 27, 1993 versus the Nets with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five steals and three block shots on 12/17 shooting.

As great as Siakam, VanVleet, and Barnes were for the Raptors in 2021-22, they also had solid play from their other two starters.

Gary Trent, Jr. (18.3 ppg, 1.7 spg-3^rd NBA, 3.8 3-Pt.%), who was acquired from the Trail Blazers a season ago at the February trade deadline continued to evolve as that all important 3-and-D wing that nearly every NBA has to have now. He made a career-high 209 threes a season ago (209/545 3-Pt.), his third straight season making over 110 total triples.

In his first three NBA seasons, with the first two coming in the Pacific Northwest, Trent, Jr., the son of former Trail Blazer, Raptor, Maverick and Timberwolf Gary Trent, Sr. totaled 23 20-plus point games. He registered 27 such games in 2021-22. That included 10 games with 30-plus points after three such games his first three NBA seasons.

In the Raptors 139-120 victory at the Rockets on Feb. 10, Trent, Jr. tied a career-high with 42 points, with four steals on 15/26 from the field, including 6/13 from three-point range.

With 26 points from Siakam and 25 points from Trent, Jr. in the opening half at the Rockets, they joined Warriors Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and former Rockets James Harden and Chandler Parsons as the third pair of teammates to score at least 25 points in the opening half.

Trent, Jr. tied his career-high of 42 points with eight boards on 13/21 from the field and 8/11 from three in the Raptors 117-112 win at Suns.

One player who has shown marked improvement on both ends of the court in his career with the Raptors has been OG Anunoby (17.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 spg, 36.2 3-Pt.%), who made over 100 total triples for the second straight season with 115 in 2021-22 (115/317 3-Pt.). 

OG Anunoby’s Total Made Threes By Season In His Career
2017-18: 73    2020-21: 104
2018-19: 67    2021-22: 115
2019-20: 89

20-Plus Point Games By Season For Anunoby
2017-18: 2 Games      2020-21: 13 Games
2018-19: 2 Games      2021-22: 19 Games
2019-20: 6 Games

In the Raptors win (113-104) at the Knicks, Anunoby had a career-high of 36 points with six boards on 13/27 shooting making four triples in registering his third career 30-plus point game.

No one team represents the modern-day era of position less basketball than the Raptors under Coach Nurse, whose ability to use lineups of long versatile players between 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-9 on both ends has been very successful, as evidence by the title they won in 2019 taking down the Warriors in six games thanks to 2019 Finals MVP now with the Clippers Kawhi Leonard.

Coach Nurse has continued that trend and while it was not always shown in certain statistics, that style won the Raptors has put the Raptors in position to win more often than not.

The Raptors at the offensive believe in taking a lot of threes offensively and they believe in playing a lot of zone and box-and-1 trapping concepts.

Last season, the Raptors ranked in the middle of the pack in terms of shooting percentage at 44.5 percent (25^th) and 20^th in three-point percentage. They were No. 19 in threes made per game (11.9) and threes attempted (34.2).

While the Raptors were ranked No. 17 in opponent’s field goal percentage (46.2%) and No. 18 in opponent’s three-point percentage (35.4%), they were great at forcing turnovers, ranking second in the league in 2021-22 at 15.1. They also were No. 2 in steals at 9.0.

Those steals the Raptors turned into an average of 15.8 fastbreak points per game (3^rd NBA) and 19.0 in points off turnovers (2^nd NBA).

The Raptors also used their length and quickness to defend the paint well, ranking No. 7 in opponents paint points (45.1) as well as keeping the opposition points down in transition allowing just 11.7 fastbreak points (9^th NBA).

The Raptors also were a solid rebounding team on both ends ranking a +3.0 on the offensive glass (2^nd NBA), No. 2 with an average of 13.4 offensive rebounds and had an overall rebounding differential of +1.2 (11^th NBA).

The Raptors while they were a very long team, they were not the deepest as their starters played the bulk of the minutes on a nightly basis a season ago.

Four of the Raptors five starters in Siakam (37.9), VanVleet (37.9), Barnes (35.4) and Trent, Jr. ranked No. 1, No. 2, No. 9, and No. 14 in minutes per game in the NBA. Anunoby played an average of 36 minutes in 2021-22.

That heavy workload did catch up with the Raptors starters result was missing games due to injury. They also had a couple of key reserves miss time in 2021-22 due to injury

Anunoby in 2021-22 missed a total of 34 games. His 13 games (Nov. 18-Dec. 14, 2021) with a sore left hip. He was on the shelf for 15 games (Feb. 25-Mar. 24) with a fractured right ring finger. Missed four games (Apr. 3-8) with right quad contusion. Missed two games (Dec. 26-31, 2021) being in health and safety protocols.

VanVleet missed 17 games in total in 2021-22 due to a left groin, health and safety protocols, and right knee soreness.

Trent, Jr missed a total of 17 games with a right calf soreness, health and safety protocols, sore left big toe, and a left ankle issue.

Reserve center Khem Birch missed 14 games (Nov. 24-Dec. 28, 2021) because of health and safety protocols and missed 10 games (Jan. 15-Feb. 3) because of a fractured nose.

Two players that were productive for the Raptors off their bench was Chris Boucher (9.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 46.4 3-Pt.%) and Precious Achiuwa (9.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 35.9 3-Pt.%).

It took a while for Boucher to find his way into the rotation. Over the last two seasons, he has provided a solid scoring punch, rebounding and interior presence on both ends of the Raptors’ bench.

After posting 12 double-doubles in 2020-21, averaging career-highs of 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds with 12 double-doubles; shot 46.4 percent from the field and making 90 triples (90/235 3-Pt.) while totaling 111 block shots, Boucher numbers dip a little bit but he still registered 10 double-doubles; made 68 total threes (68/229 3-Pt.).

After not being able to crack the Heat’s rotation in his rookie season in 2020-21, Achiuwa (5.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 54.4 FG%) cracked the Raptors playing rotation and was productive with six double-doubles after posting just three the previous season. After attempting only one three in his lone season in South Beach, Achiuwa made 56 total triples in 2021-22 (56/156 3-Pt.).

At the Feb. 10 trade deadline, the Raptors acquired veteran forward Thaddeus Young from the Spurs along with center Drew Eubanks (who was waived)  and a 2022 Second Round pick in exchange for veteran guard Goran Dragic and a 2022-First Round pick.

Heading into their First-Round tilt against the 76ers, there were many in the media giving the Raptors a puncher’s chance to upsetting No. 4 Seeded boys from the city of “Brotherly Love.”

 

The 76ers put those ambitions to rest winning Game 1 131-111 Apr. 16 on ESPN, falling to 3-4 all-time in Game 1s in their postseason history. The Raptors not only lost the series opener but they also lost Barnes to left ankle sprain early in the fourth quarter and he did not return. They also lost Young (sprained left thumb).

Siakam led the way with 24 points, seven boards and three blocks. Anunoby had 20 points and seven rebounds. VanVleet had 18 points and six assists on 4/7 from three; Barnes had a double-double of 15 and 10 rebounds with eight assists.

The Raptors lost Game 2 112-97 Apr. 18 on TNT, to fall behind in the series 2-0.

Raptors got off to an early 11-2 lead and led 33-32 after the opening period. The 76ers outscored the Raptors 80-64 the final three quarters, including 63-48 the middle two quarters. They did cut into the 76ers 27-point lead down to 11 points in the fourth quarter but never got closer.

Raptors outscored 76ers 48-36 in the paint; 24-13 in bench points and 15-12 in 2^nd chance points and outrebounded 76ers 13-7 in offensive rebounds.

Anunoby led the way with 26 points on 10/14 shooting and went 4/7 on his triple tries. Siakam had 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists. VanVleet had 17 of his 20 points in the opening half, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks hitting five threes (5/16 3-Pt.) and Boucher had 17 points, eight boards and two blocks.

Trent, Jr (illness) out the 2^nd half and had zero points, 0/4 shooting and four fouls playing 10 minutes in the opening-half. Barnes (sprained left ankle) out.

Raptors First Two Games          Game 1                                                   Game 2               
of series (FGs/3-Pt.)              7/22 FGs:4/7 3-Pt.     VanVleet         7/23 FGs:  5/16 3-Pt.
                                                9/18 FGs: 1/2 3-Pt.     Siakam          7/20 FGs:  0/1 3-Pt.
                                                9/15 FGs: 2/5 3-Pt.    Anunoby        10/14 FGs: 4/7 3-Pt.
                                                2/11 FGs: 2/7 3-Pt.    Trent, Jr.          0/3 FGs: 0/1 3-Pt.

Lost Game 3 104-101 in overtime Apr. 20 NBA TV to fall 0-3 in the series.

Raptors led Game 3 29-19 after the opening period and led by as many as 17 points. Led 56-46 at the half. But the 76ers outscored Raptors 28-19 in the third quarter to lead 75-74 after three quarters. A score by Achiuwa put the Raptors up 95-90 with 2:03 left. With a chance to cut the series lead to 2-1, Achiuwa missed both free throws after getting fouled by 76ers James Harden.

In overtime 76ers Joel Embiid in the final seconds hit what would be the game-winner that put the 76ers one win away from advancing to East Semifinals as the 76ers outscored the Raptors 9-6 in overtime.

Raptors blown 17-points lead in Game 3 was their largest in their postseason history. 

Anunoby led the Raptors with 26 points and five boards making 4/9 of his threes. Trent, Jr. in a bounce back performance from the first two games had a playoff career-high 24 points also making 4/9 from three. Achiuwa had 20 points and six rebounds. Siakam had 12 points and five boards on 6/16 shooting and VanVleet also scored 12 with nine assists but also shot poorly going 3/13 shooting, including 2/10 from three.

They avoided the sweep on their home floor by defeat the 76ers 110-102 in Game 4 Apr. 23 on TNT to cut their series deficit 3-1.   

The Raptors played like themselves in Game 4 outrebounded 76ers 46-41, including 13-6 on the offensive glass. Outscored 76ers 21-10 in fastbreak; scored 22 points off 16 76ers turnovers, registering nine steals, while also blocking six shots. The Raptors bench outscored 76ers reserves 36-27.

Raptors for the first time in the series outshot 76ers 35-25 in free throw attempts, going 28/35 at the charity stripe, while the 76ers were 21/25 at the line.

Raptors led from early in the second quarter on up by as many as 12 points in the opening half and led by as many as 14 points. After seeing their lead cut to six points, the Raptors scored the next six points (all from the foul line) and Anunoby sealed the win making his lone three-pointer in Game 4 to put the Raptors up 99-87 late in the fourth period.

Siakam scored 15 of his playoff career-high 34 points in the fourth quarter, going 10/19 from the field and 13/15 at the free throw line with eight rebounds, five assists and two block shots. Trent, Jr. tied his playoff career-high with 24 points making three triples. Young had 13 points, five boards and five assists, while Anunoby added 11 points and five rebounds.

Siakam had his third career 30-point game in the postseason.

Barnes in his return from a two-game absence (left ankle sprain) had six points and 11 rebounds (1/6 from the floor, including 0/4 from three, and 4/5 at the foul line.

VanVleet (strained left hip) injured late second quarter and did not return.

The Raptors continued their momentum taking Game 5 at 76ers 103-88 Apr. 25 NBATV to cut the series lead to 3-2.

They led for the majority of Game 5, seizing controls of things outscoring 76ers 25-14 in the second quarter to lead 54-41 at intermission and never gave up the lead, expanding it to as high as 19 points. They kept their distance from the 76ers thanks to Barnes who scoring eight points in the early part of the third period.

Siakam had another double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds with seven assists on 10/17 shooting. Achiuwa had 17 points and seven boards with three blocks. Anunoby (five rebounds, two steals) and Trent, Jr. each scored 16, while Barnes added 13 points with eight boards and three steals.

VanVleet (left hip flexor) did not play in Game 5.

Raptors became the 14^th team in NBA Playoff history to force a Game 6 in a best-of-seven-series after trailing 3-0.

The Raptors 15-point win in Game 5 was their second largest margin of victory when facing elimination in their postseason history.

The 76ers closed the curtain on the Raptors season with a 132-97 win in Game 6 Apr. 28 on NBATV, falling to 12-12 in their postseason history when facing elimination.  

Raptors suffered their first opening-round loss in the postseason since being swept 4-0 in 2015 by the Wizards.

Boucher playoff career-high 25 points with 10 rebounds on 7/13 from the field and 9/10 at the foul line. Siakam had 24 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists with three steals. Trent, Jr. had 19 points, while Barnes had 18 points and seven rebounds.

Boucher kept the Raptors close in the opening half with 19 points and nine rebounds on 6/10 shooting and 6/6 at the charity stripe. But had just six points and one rebound going 1/3 from three-point range (3/4 FTs) in the second half.

Raptors had just 15 total assists in Game 6, with seven of those 15 dimes coming from Siakam.

Achiuwa who had scored big in the previous two games had just three points on 1/7 from the field in Game 6.

Raptors fell to 1-7 all-time in best-of-seven series down 0-2 with their only series win coming in the 2019 East Finals versus the Bucks.

With a legit starting five already set. The Raptors front office, led by lead executive Masai Ujiri focused their attention in the offseason on improving their bench.

They first re-signed Boucher to a three-year, $35.25 million deal officially on July 7 as well as officially re-signed Young to a two-year $16 million deal.

They brought in some championship experience as well as a stellar marksman from three-point range in Otto Porter, Jr. (8.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 46.4 FG%, 37.0 3-Pt.% w/Warriors).

Along with his solid shooting stroke from three-point range at a 39.8 percent clip his first nine NBA seasons with the Wizards, Bulls, Magic, and aforementioned Warriors, Porter Jr. is long and can guard multiple positions.

At Media Day on Sept. 26, Porter, Jr. who played against the Raptors quite a bit at the start of his career with the Wizards said being that his wife is from Toronto, Canada that “it just made sense” for him to sign with the Raptors.

“This is a new opportunity for me to come to Toronto and, you know, have aspirations to win a championship here,” Porter, Jr. said.

“This is definitely a place that I wanted to go. My wife is from here. It’s just a lot easier for the family. Great organization. Great team. Young team that has aspirations to get back to the top. Winning a championship last year in Golden State I feel I like I can bring that experience here to help the younger guys out.

Another rangy long player the Raptors signed to help their bench is Juancho Hernangomez on a one-year, $1.8 million deal.   

The additions of Porter, and Hernangomez, along with re-signing of Young and Boucher along Birch should help keep the minutes down for the likes of Siakam, Anunoby, and Barnes. The big issue for the Raptors heading into this season is keeping the minutes of VanVleet manageable, especially after he could not finish the First Round series against the 76ers because of hip injury.

This means that the Raptors need either Dalano Banton or Malachi Flynn, who fell out of the playing rotation towards the end of last season to seize control as the understudy to VanVleet.

Even with that, the Raptors starting five is the backbone of this team.

Siakam had a tremendous season bouncing back from a subpar 2020-21 and is looking to back that up with an even more impressive 2022-23, which he talked about at the end of last season with Coach Nurse.

“I just felt like, ‘Yeah. Like it’s time to take another step.’ Like, it’s always been that. Like, I’ve always believed in that” Siakam said. “I’ve tried every single year to take another step. But for me after the year I had. I just felt like there’s so many things I can get better on. I’ve been All-NBA. I’ve been an All-Star. I want to be a Top 5 player in the league. I want to be one of the best.”  

VanVleet said at Media Day that he had to “get stronger” and make some other changes to be healthy enough to take on the workload that he did last to be and is likely to take on this season.

“Obviously we know how it ended last year. But at the end of day, just having good summer. Having time to recover and not only trying to get back to where I was but try to better to handle what my role is on this team,” VanVleet said on staying healthy this upcoming season.

Anunoby who also battle injuries last season is coming into this season primed to continue is high level of play like he did a season ago where he became a more consistent jump shooter, a more aggressive scorer to along with his amazing defensive skills.

“I just try to get better every summer and I think everything will fall into place,” Anunoby said at Media Day about a report over the summer that he and Coach Nurse had about having his role expanded.

Barnes, who played so well as a rookie that there was some flirtation between the Raptors and Nets regarding the Nets want to deal disgruntled two-time NBA champion and perennial All-Star Kevin Durant for Siakam before Durant and the Nets front office cleared the air in August.

This should not come as a shock because Raptors executive Masai Ujiri rolled the dice to acquire a devalued in dealing DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs three off-seasons back and it resulted in their first championship in 2019.

The difference is Leonard was in the last year of his deal while Durant is about to begin a four-year, $198 million extension he signed last summer. While there would have been no fear of Durant bolting in free agency for greener pastures like Leonard did in signing with the Clippers in the summer of 2019.

That conversation between the two teams about a deal ended with just a mention of Barnes being included in any deal.

While it is hard to fathom a team not wanting to a player with just one season of NBA action under their belt for a player who was won multiple scoring titles; won a league MVP (2014) and two Finals MVPs. Durant is however 34-year-old and Barnes just turned 21. On top of, convincing free agents to come to Toronto. So, it was in the Raptors best interest to keep Barnes in the fold as well as all their assets (draft picks and young players).

Plus, Barnes still has room to improve, like getting his three-point percentage up, which was at 30.1 percent (58/193 3-Pt.). If that rises to along with how versatile he is already on both ends, the Raptors can be a team to that can be a major force in the East this upcoming season and over the next few seasons.

“My first goal is probably just to continue to keep striving for success. Trying to keep winning. Keep trying to win this championship,” Barnes said at Media Day about what he is striving for this season.

“I would say some individual goals is really just try to take it to the next level with trying to make [All]-Defensive teams, All-Stars and so on.”

The Toronto Raptors roared, no pun intended, back into the postseason after a one-year absence. They rose back to the postseason by playing a style where they made up for their ineffective shooting at times by taking care of the basketball, forcing turnovers, and crashing the glass.

They Raptors are going to run it back with a major of their roster in 2022-23, returning a league-high 92 percent of minutes from 2021-22. They made two key additions in Otto Porter Jr., and Juancho Hernangomez, while also re-signing Thaddeus Young and Chris Boucher who will hopefully along with Precious Achiuwa, Khem Birch, and Malachi Flynn gives the Raptors a more effective bench to spell starters in Pascal Siakam, Free VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Gary Trent, Jr.

It all comes down to health and playing their style at the highest level. If the Raptors can do that, they have as good a chance of making some serious noise in a very loaded Eastern Conference.

“I think in this organization we’ve always wanted to preach patience. But we want to win. We are expecting to win,” Ujiri said about the expectation of the Raptors since he joined their front office.

“But honestly, we can’t react to what’s going on in the league. And yeah, you look at other and we study all of that. But in terms of our plan is to grow our young players and we continue to develop and see how that pace is well and it’s a commitment we’ve made to this team and Nick and the coaching staff to keep growing.

Coach Nurse echoed those same feelings saying on Media Day via Zoom to NBATV’s Taylor Rooks that he believes the Raptors “can play” with the best in NBA.

“I really don’t care what they’re saying or how often they’re saying it. I just hope they’re saying it late into the year, like early summer this year,” Nurse said with a smile.

“We’re a little unknown, sometimes. But I think teams inside the league give our guy’s  respect for how hard they play and defensively for what they can do.”

“I think we’ve got a really good team, right? And it’s up to us to go out there and prove it and get better.”

Best Case Scenario: The Raptors are fighting for homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference.  Siakam and VanVleet are in the running to be All-Stars as well as Barnes. Siakam and VanVleet are in consideration to make any of three All-NBA squads. The Raptors become a more efficient shooting team and rank in Top 5 defensively again. They reach the East Semifinals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Raptors main personnel misses significant  time because of injuries again. They are battling to make the Playoffs through Play-In Tournament.

Grade: B+

Washington Wizards: 35-47 (4^th Southeast Division; missed Playoffs); 21-20 at home, 14-27 on the road.

-108.6 ppg-22^nd; opp. ppg: 112.0-16^th; 43.1 rpg-23^rd   

The Washington Wizards had one the best starts to their season in nearly five decades, which led to their General Manager getting a contract extension. Injuries, especially to their star player and poor defense doomed the Wizards as the season progressed. Their prized in-season acquisition and their star player did not play one single minute together after said player was acquired from “Big-D” in the middle of February. With new additions via trade and the draft; their star player in the fold for on a new long-term deal; and good health and production from their prized acquisition at last February’s trade deadline, the goal for the Wizards is to play meaningful games in late March and early April to at least make the Play-In Tournament for a chance to make the Playoffs.  

The Wizards, under new head coach Wes Unseld, Jr. began the season 10-3, tied with the 1968-69 then Baltimore Bullets for the second-best start after 13 games in franchise history. Only the 1974-75 Washington Bullets had a better start to a season after first 13 games with an 11-2 mark.

The Wizards great start to last season under new head coach Wes Unseld, Jr. , the son of the late Hall of Famer, NBA champion and Wizards’ legend Wes Unseld, Sr. earned GM Tommy Shepard a multi-year contract extension and also got promoted to being their new President of Basketball Operations.

While the 1968-69 and 1974-75 squads, who finished 60-22 and 57-25 respectably and made the Playoffs, with the 1974-75 team losing in The Finals (4-0) to Golden State Warriors, the 2021-22 Wizards start did not have that result.

Following that 10-3 start, the Wizards went 13-20, registering a three-game losing streak (Dec. 3-8, 2021) followed by a four-game losing streak (Dec. 11-18, 2021).

The train really fell off the tracks for the Wizards a season ago after they went 3-5 on an eight-game homestand from Jan. 11-25, that included a 1-4 mark the final five games at Capital One Arena as part of a season-worst tying six-game losing streak from Jan. 19-Feb. 6 falling to four games under .500 at 23-27. The Wizards lost six in a row from Mar. 9-21.

Two specific things played a role in the Wizards season unraveling. First was three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal’s subpar season that was cut short on Feb. 10 after surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist shelved him the final 29 games of 2021-22. He missed 42 games in total on the season that also included two sets of three straight games (Dec. 23-30, 2021 & Jan. 11-17, 2022) being in health and safety protocols and two games (Nov. 13-17) for personal reasons.

While Beal averaged a career-high 6.6 assists, he only averaged 23.2 points, his lowest since his 23.1 scoring average in his fifth season in 2016-17 out of the University of Florida. While he shot a solid 45.1 percent from the field, he shot a career-low 30.0 percent from three-point range (63/210 3-Pt.). 

Aside from his low point production compared to his averages of 25.6 points, 30.5 points and 31.3 points (23 field goal attempts) the previous four seasons, the Wizards just were not producing victories at a high rate when Beal played.

They went 17-23 mark in the 40 games Beal did suit up and were not good without him in the lineup either with an 18-24 mark, including going 11-18 the final 29 games he missed a due to the aforementioned season-ending wrist surgery.

The other issue for the Wizards a season ago was defensively, especially after the calendar turned to 2022.

While they ranked No. 1 in opponent’s threes attempted (31.8); No. 3 in threes made by the opponent (11.5); and tied for No. 8 in block shots at 5.0, team’s shot 46.4 percent from the floor (18^th NBA) as well as 36.1 percent from three-point range (21^st NBA). The Wizards also ranked 18^th in rebounding differential at -1.1; 30^th in steals at 6.4 per game. They were 21^st in points allowed in paint at 48.2.

They began 2021-22 holding six of their first 13 opponents under 100 points. From Dec. 26, 2021 to the end of last season, they held a total of six opponents under the century mark for scoring, just three games better than what they did in 2020-21 when they held just three opponents under 100 points.

The game in which the Wizards defensive struggles were highlighted came Jan. 25 when they lost versus the Clippers where they came back from 35 points down in the first half (66-36 at half) outscoring the Wizards 80-49 the second 24 minutes, scoring 40 points in the third and fourth quarters. They turned 19 Wizards turnovers into 23 points and outscored them 52-46 in the paint. While they shot just 41.5 percent (39/94 FGs) from the field, the Clippers shot 37.9 percent on their triples (11/29 3-Pt.).

Wizards Their Next 12 Games Following 10-3 Start To 2021-22
                           NBA Rank
3-9 Record              25^th
105.8 ppg                22^nd
39.8   rpg                 29^th
114.9 opp. ppg        26^th
48% opp. FG%      26^th                                            

With their top scoring ace gone for the season, that provided opportunity for the rest of the roster to step up and try to fill the void.

One player that tried to do that was Kyle Kuzma (17.1ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 45.2 FG%, who was acquired last offseason in the deal for perennial All-Star guard and 2017 Kia MVP Russell Westbrook had a career-highs in rebounding and assists, while displaying his ability as a playmaker. 

Kuzma, who shot 34.1 percent from three-point range (128/375 3-Pt.) in 2021-22 (128 made over 100 total triples for the fourth time in first five NBA seasons and registered a career-high 24 double-doubles. He also registered 26 games scoring 20 points or more, the third highest in a season of his career. That also included four games scoring 30-Plus points, tied for second most in a season of his five-year NBA career to date. 

20-Point Games By Season For Kyle Kuzma
2017-18 w/Lakers: 25 Games
2018-19 w/Lakers: 29 Games
2019-20 w/Lakers: 10 Games
2020-21 w/Lakers: 13 Games
2021-22 w/Wizards: 26 Games

30-Point Games By Season For Kyle Kuzma
2017-18 w/Lakers: 4 Games
2018-19 w/Lakers: 7 Games
2019-20 w/Lakers: 1 Game
2020-21 w/Lakers: 1 Game
2021-22 w/Wizards: 4 Games

In the 102-100 victory by the Wizards Jan. 9 at the Magic, Kuzma had 27 points and a career-high 22 rebounds, the first Wizards player with 20 rebounds in a game since Westbrook in 2020-21. His previous career-high in rebounds came in the early part of 2021-22 when he had 17 boards to go along with 17 points when the Wizards won 115-112 in overtime versus the eventual Eastern Conference champion Celtics

      Most 20/20 (Points/Rebound) Games In Wizards/Bullets History    
                                      Date        Pts   Rebs     Opponent
Kyle Kuzma             1/9/2021      27     22        At Magic
Antawn Jamison     1/30/2010    21     23        Vs. Knicks
Antawn Jamison     1/29/2008    24     20        Vs. Raptors
Antawn Jamison    11/25/2005   22     20         At Pistons
Chris Webber          4/14/1997    27     21         At 76ers
Chris Webber         11/6/1996     22     21         Vs. Spurs
Chris Webber        11/26/1994    22     20         Vs. Lakers

Unfortunately, Kuzma missed the final 13 games due to right knee tendinitis.

After missing the first 39 games of 2021-22 due to an eye condition, personal reasons and health and safety protocols, Rui Hachimura (11.3 ppg, 49.1 FG%, 44.7 3-Pt.%) came back with a much-improved shooting stroke, especially from three-point range (55/123 3-Pt.). After shooting 28.7 percent (25/87 3-Pt.) and 32.8 percent (45/137 3-Pt.) his first two NBA seasons, the former No. 9 overall pick out of Gonzaga University shot a career-high 44.7 percent on his triples, making a career-best 55 total threes (55/123 3-Pt.).

 

Over his first two NBA seasons since being drafted No. 9 overall in 2020, forward Deni Avdija (8.4 pppg, 5.2 rpg) showed flashes he can be a 3-and-D forward in the league by all the measurables. He has had his struggles though, in particular is ability to consistently make jumpers especially from three-point range as well as finishing at the basket.

There were instances that Avdija showed that he can be productive on both ends, producing three double-doubles in his second NBA season after total just two as a rookie in 2020-21.

In the Wizards 105-100 victory Nov. 15, 2021 versus the New Orleans Pelicans, Avdija had 11 points and 10 rebounds. He had 12 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in the Wizards 103-94 victory versus the Pistons Feb. 14. Avdija then had  21 points and 10 boards making 3/7 from three in the Wizards’ 100-97 victory Mar. 25 at the Pistons.

While the Wizards ranked No. 5 in the NBA in shooting percentage in 2021-22 at 47.2 percent, they were No. 26 in three-point percentage (34.2%); 29^th in threes attempted (30.6) and No. 30, dead last in threes made per game (10.5).

Those dismal three-point numbers a season are attributed to not just the aforementioned Beal at 30 percent on his triple tries, but Davis Bertans and new addition Spencer Dinwiddie, who shot 31 percent and 31.9 percent respectably from three.

They became expendable as at the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline, the Wizards dealt Dinwiddie and Bertans to the Dallas Mavericks for center Kristaps Porzingis (20.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 45.9 FG% w/Mavericks & Wizards) and a 2022 Second Round pick.

The one player who showed a solid three-point stroke last season was rookie Corey Kispert (8.2 ppg, 45.5 FG%, 35.0 3-Pt.%).

The No. 15 overall pick out of Gonzaga University made a 112 threes a season ago (112/320 3-Pt.) in 77 games, breaking the single-season record for threes made by a rookie in Wizards/Bullets history, surpassing the 91 made threes by Beal in 2012-13 in 56 games.

         20-Point Games By Corey Kispert As A Rookie In 2021-22          
25 points 9/12 FGs: 6/9 3-Pt.   Mar. 27 (123-115) win vs. Warriors
21 points 8/14 FGs: 5/11 3-Pt. Mar. 11 (122-109) loss at Lakers
20 points, six assists 7/16 FGs: 4/11 3-Pt. Feb. 11 (123-110) loss at Kings
20 points, six boards, 9/15 FGs Feb. 7 (121-100) loss vs. Heat
20 points, 6/7 FGs: 4/5 3-Pt. Dec. 23, 2021 (124-117) win at Knicks
20 points, 8/12 FGs: 4/8 3-Pt. Apr. 10 (124-108) loss at Hornets

The Wizards also in the Westbrook deal acquired reserve big man Montrezl Harrell, who they expected to make a major impact off the bench as a backup. While he put up solid numbers, he just did fit, especially when he felt he should be playing more.

Harrell was also dealt at the Feb. 10 trade deadline to Hornets for youngster Vernon Carey, Jr., veteran guard Ish Smith, and a 2023 Second Round pick.

The Wizards also at NBA trade deadline dealt guard Aaron Holiday to the Suns for cash considerations.

Porzingis who because of injuries and that he and superstar Luka Doncic did not become that 1-2 punch that many hoped they would be hoped to have a restart in the nation’s capital.  

The Latvia native made his Wizards debut playing for the first time since Jan. 29 with the Mavericks because of bone bruise in his right knee had 25 points and five boards on 7/13 shooting, including 3/4 from three and 8/10 at the foul line.

In the 17 games that Porzingis was able to suit up for the Wizards out of a possible 28 games, he put up expected averages of 22.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 47.5 percent from the field, and 36.7 percent from three (29/79 3-Pt.), registering six double-doubles, compared to his numbers with the Mavericks where in 34 games registered on average 19.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 block shots on 45.1 percent shooting and just 28.3 percent from three-point range (49/173 3-Pt.) with nine double-doubles.

Following the trade Porzingis said courtesy of The Washington Post back in February, “Here’s I can go play to my fullest potential… I thought if I did not finish the season in Dallas, then this was not for me. And it worked out perfectly….I don’t want to live in a crazy chaos life. I want to peace. I want to be at piece with who I am.”

The one front court player other than Kuzma that gave the Wizards an interior presence before Porzingis arrived was Daniel Gafford (9.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 69.3 FG%), who has gotten more of a chance to play since being acquired from the Bulls a season ago. After registering no double-doubles his first season-plus in the “Windy City,” Gafford has totaled 10 double-doubles with the Wizards, including eight in 2021-22.

He is an old school big to where he will set screens and make his presence felt at the rim by dunking it offensively or scoring on a strong move down low or being physical on the glass defensively as well as in the paint.

Over the course of the last two off-seasons, the Washington Wizards front office led by  GM Sheppard and Governor Ted Leonsis have acquired personnel that in their minds has given them chance to win each time they took the hardwood. They got back to trying to do that this again offseason via the draft, trades, and free agency.

In this June’s, they selected at No. 10 overall  guard Johnny Davis out of Wisconsin University, becoming the first Badger underclassman selected in First Round in the Common Draft Era.

As a sophomore, Davis a AP First-Team All-American 2021-22 led the Badgers with 19.7 points and 8.2 rebounds. His 612 total points set a single-season school record for a sophomore. 

Davis like Kispert is a shooter, who has excellent marksmanship from in close, mid-range and from three-point range. He also showed up big when the competition was that averaging 24 points against Top 25 competition in 2021-22. That consisted of games with 37 points at Purdue and 25 points both at Michigan and Indiana, all Badger victories, which also represented the first time in their history winning all three road contests at their Big 10 opponents.

Davis also brings a tenacity at the defensive end with the ability to make proper reads at that end of the court. Instincts he mastered as a quarterback in high school in Wisconsin where he won Mr. Basketball in his senior year.   

“A defensive mindset,” Davis said on Draft night on June 23 to ESPN’s Monica McNutt about what he plans on bringing to the Wizards “You can never control if the ball goes in the basket or not. But you can control your effort and intensity.”

The Wizards over the past decade plus have fallen short in their draft picks outside of Beal (No. 3 overall in 2012). While now Raptors sharp-shooting forward Otto Porter, Jr., selected No. 3 overall in 2013 out of Georgetown University made himself into a reliable starter while with the Wizards and has become a solid role player in his other stops with the Bulls, Magic, Warriors and hopefully Raptors, his draft class was not the strongest as evidence by the flameout career of No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett.

Jerian Grant (No. 19 overall in 2015) did not pan out and neither did not Lakers swingman Troy Brown, Jr. (No. 15 overall in 2018). The jury is still out on Hachimura, and Avdija.

Davis, who struggled in the 2022 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NV (8.3 ppg, 27.6 FG%, 33.3 3-Pt.%) getting any real minutes will not be easy in a crowd backcourt that just got even more crowded. But will provide a chance to get better and learn the ins and outs of the NBA.  

For the second straight offseason, the Wizards made another deal in hopes of adding some flexibility to the Wizards roster in acquiring from the Nuggets lead guard Monte Morris (12.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 48.4 FG%, 39.5 3-Pt.%) and Will Barton (14.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 43.8 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%) in exchange for guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith.

When the Wizards said goodbye to five-time All-Star floor general John Wall when the No. 1 overall pick in 2010 was dealt to Rockets in exchange for Westbrook in offseason of 2020, the Wizards have been in search of a solid floor general, who can score and make plays for their teammates.

They might have found that in Morris, who was that for the previous two seasons as the understudy to Jamal Murray, and from Apr. 2021 and all last season was that as a starter for the Nuggets with Murray out because of knee injury. He put up career-highs in points and assists and over the past four seasons has shot over 38 percent from three-point range.

He also as he said at Media Day still has that chip on his shoulder from being pick No. 51 overall in 2017 out of Iowa State.

“I was always that person in Denver, people can look at me when stuff got tough. I really don’t like showing bad body language,” Morris said at Media Day on Sept. 26 about his approach to tough situations. “I try to keep composed like if we’re winning or losing the game. Try to keep the same energy throughout because as a point guard, your basically the quarterback on the team. If they see you panic, that’s usually what follows.”

“Try to keep people humble and just moving in any situation we face this season. And secondly, I would say also just being like a leader and trying to win games.”

Barton after not getting a lot of playing time his first three seasons with the Trail Blazers (2012-15) was traded to the Nuggets on Feb. 19, 2015 and made himself into one of the best two-way wings in the league. He scored at all three levels. Play multiple position on both ends and became such a leader that when he spoke, he had the ear of all his Nuggets teammates.

In the Nuggets 116-101 victory on Mar. 4 versus the Rockets, Barton had 11 points making two threes, surpassing former Nugget J.R. Smith as the Nuggets all-time leader in made threes, finishing with 804 made triples. Morris finished No. 17 on the all-time list with 334 total made threes in his five seasons with Nuggets.

     Most Total Made Threes By A Player In Denver Nuggets History: Top 10 
Will Barton: 804                                    Wilson Chandler: 540
J.R. Smith: 768                                       Nikola Jokic: 536 and counting
Jamal Murray: 673 and counting         Danilo Gallinari: 535
Michael Adams: 630                              Chauncey Billups: 514
Gary Harris: 565                                    Dale Ellis: 448

What makes this even more special for Barton is he was born in Baltimore, MD on Jan. 6, 1991 and as he said on Media Day it was “always a dream” of his to play for the Wizards one day in his career to play close to him.

“It feels good. I’m very excited,” Barton said at Media Day about playing for the Wizards in front of his family and friends this upcoming season. “My family is going to be able to see me on a regular basis now. “It’s just makes me want to go out and play really hard for them and just make them proud.”

Along with being two solid players both individually, they are familiar with Coach Unseld, Jr., who was an assistant for six seasons (2015-21) on Michael Malone’s staff with the Nuggets.

Along with their leadership and understanding of what Coach Unseld, Jr.’s system, they will bring stellar perimeter shooting, which as mentioned at times was a struggle for the Wizards in 2021-22.

Though last season they did have a stretch of seven straight games (Feb. 16-Mar. 6)  where they shot at least 40 percent or better on their triple tries. That stretch for the Wizards also included seven straight games making at least 10 three-pointers.

The Wizards also looked to add more depth as well as leadership to their bench with the signings of veteran guard Delon Wright officially on July 6 on a two-year, $16 million deal and veteran forward/center Taj Gibson on a one-year, $1.5 million deal on July 19. They also re-signed reserve guard Anthony Gill on a two-year, $3.8 million deal.

For a team that is looking to improve defensively, the Wizards brought in two players in Wright and Gibson who have been solid defenders throughout their careers and in the case of Gibson in his years with the first the Bulls and Knicks have been a part of teams where if you did not play defense, you never saw the hardwood on gameday.

“We’ve got a lot of versatile guys We’ve got a lot of young talent. The bright spot is you get to work out with them every day,” Gibson said at Media Day about the Wizards team he joined this offseason.

“So far, everything’s been great. We push ourselves every day. But at the same time, we’re trying to get better and we understand the stake. We understand the East is getting better month by month.”  

The most important piece of business for Sheppard and the Wizards front office though was what they were going to do with Beal.

Two days before the start of free agency on June 29, Beal declined his $36.4 million player option for this upcoming season to become an unrestricted free agent.

Beal, native of St. Louis, MO over the last couple of seasons has said that he wanted to continue his NBA career with the Wizards and that he felt he could win a title in the nation’s capital. He made good on the promise of staying agreeing on the first day of free agency to a five-year, $251 million max contract.

“This city has loved me through the ups and downs,” Beal said flanked by Sheppard and Coach Unseld, Jr. at his presser after signing his max extension. He added about turning the Wizards back into a playoff perennial “A lot of it falls on me.”

Active NBA Players To Have Played Their First 10 NBA Seasons With Same Team
Udonis Haslem (MIA)          Draymond Green (GS)
Bradley Beal (WAS)             Klay Thompson (GS)
Stephen Curry (GS)              Damian Lillard (POR)

The three-time All-Star will enter this season with 14,231 points career points. With a stellar season, he will pass Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (15,551) as the all-time leading scorer in Wizards/Bullets history. Beal is already the franchise’s all-time leader with 1,434 made threes and counting.

The 2020-21 All-NBA Third Team selection is third in franchise history in games played, behind Hayes (631) and Unseld, Sr. (984). Beal ranks No. 2 in made field goals (5,180) and fourth in career assists (2,701).

As great as those stats are, the only thing that Beal cares about is getting the Wizards back to being a Playoff perennial and eventually NBA champions just like Coach Unseld, Jr dad, the late Wes Unseld, Sr. did in leading the then Bullets to the top of the NBA mountain back in 1979.

That means he has to regain scoring level he was at the previous three seasons while also being able to facilitate for others.

In his three seasons that he was named an All-Star (2018, 2019, 2021) averaged 26.0 points and 4.8 assists on 47.3 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three-point range.

Last season, he registered a career-high 17 straight games (Dec. 11, 2021-Jan. 29, 2022) with five-plus assists when he very often was the Wizards’ point guard.

In the Wizards 120-119 loss Jan. 1 versus Bulls, Beal along with his 27 points had a career-high 17 assists (8/20 FGs) 11/13 at the foul line. 

“Year 11. It feels up there for sure,” Beal said at Media Day. “But I’m excited. It’s a good group of guys we’ve got. Been building a lot of comradery of the last few months. So, it’s been interesting. So, I’m definitely excited about what we got. What we’ve been building. 

Along with Beal playing to level of the big paychecks he will receive moving forward, he and Porzingis have to display chemistry on the floor that will bring the best out of one another.

Porzingis has had the talent to be an elite player and he has shown that in flashes. The tallest player at 7-foot-3 to make seven threes in one game. But since earning his lone All-Star selection in 2017-18 has not played more than 57 games since that All-Star season. The Wizards need a steady slide show of good health and performance out of Porzingis on both ends and not just snapshots of it.

He said at Media Day that Sheppard and Coach Unseld, Jr. took time over the summer to go to Latvia to spend time with Porzingis to talk hoops and how important it is that he to the Wizards success this season and moving forward.

“At the end, we’re all being brought in here to win. To help Brad [Beal] and we’ll do the best job we can. But I think we’re making moves in the right direction,” Porzingis, who had a new bearded look at Media Day said.

“I think I’m a great fit next to Brad and Kuz and I’m just here to help. Here to help win games. I want to win and I’m willing to do what’s necessary to win and that’s it. I’m looking forward to this year. I’m looking forward to exceeding expectations and making some noise.”

Beal said on Media Day to NBATV’s Taylor Rooks that Porzingis “very talented.”  That it is “unbelievable” what he is able to do on the floor from and offensive standpoint with his ability to be “versatile” at his size. He also said that Porzingis is an “underrated” defender.

Along with the star twosome in Beal and Porzingis staying healthy and playing at a high level, the Wizards need the likes of Hachimura, Kuzma, Gafford, Avdija to take their games to another level on both ends. They also need continued sharp-shooting from Kispert, who unfortunately will be out 4-6 weeks after spraining his left ankle in the Wizards preseason game on Oct. 2 in Japan versus the Warriors.  

Avdija, who played for the Israeli national team at EuroBasket this summer, while also working on his game with CEO of Pure Sweat Basketball Drew Hanlen said he “got a lot of” experience this offseason and is “coming” ready for this season.

Kuzma, who won a title with the 2020 Lakers said at Media Day that he remembered everyone “being together” at different time through the day and night and that has occurred in the early part of training camp with the Wizards and said he hopes that can yield similar results on the court for boys from “The District” this season.

“If we can continue to build that type of chemistry and comradery, I like our chances to accomplish what we want to accomplish,” Kuzma said about the Wizards team building.  

Since winning their loan championship in 1978 over the then Seattle Supersonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder), the Washington Wizards/Bullets franchise has reached the East Semifinals just five times, only reaching the championship round once. They lost in 1979 Finals to the previously mentioned Supersonics. The Wizards have gone down in the East Semis since 1977-78 to the Celtics 4-1 in 1982; the Heat 4-0 in 2005; the Pacers 4-2 in 2014; the Hawks in 2015 and Celtics 4-1 in 2017.

The Wizards have gone five straight seasons without winning a Playoff series and since that  five-game series loss to the Supersonics in 1979 Finals have totaled 11 First-Round exits, which include defeats to the Raptors and 76ers in six and five games in 2018 and 2021 respectably. They have also finished under .500 for four consecutive year.

By re-signing Bradley Beal to a long-term deal this offseason. Bringing in Kristaps Porzingis last season at the trade deadline. Acquiring Monte Morris and Will Barton over the summer. Drafted Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija, Daniel Gafford, and Johnny Davis, and adding veterans via trade and free agency like Kyle Kuzma last season and Delon Wright and Taj Gibson, the Wizards have made it clear they want to be a Playoff team again after missing out in three out of the last four and four out of the last seven seasons.

Remaining healthy and finding comradery and connectivity on both ends will put the Wizards, who went 11-18 following the Feb. 10 trade deadline, including 8-16 post All-Star break last season prime position to make their goal of making it back to the Playoffs a reality.

“We’re building, you know. We’re constantly taking the steps to build” Beal said to NBATV’s Taylor Rooks on Media Day Sept. 26 about the team heading into the 2022-23 season. “I’m not sitting here saying that we’re going to hold up the Larry [O’Brien Trophy] the next month or the next few months. It’s about putting the right team together. The right pieces together to build towards that.”

Sheppard seconded those same feelings saying at a press conference alongside Coach Unseld, Jr. on Sept.20, “I can’t tell how excited we are. The new season is upon us,” Sheppard said in a press with Coach Unseld, Jr. about the team’s upgrades to the roster. “We did a whole lot of changes over the summer. A lot of new additions. Really, I think we addressed a lot of needs. I think we spent the summer really investing time with our players, and it was a huge sacrifice. I can’t Wes and his staff enough for the time. I couldn’t be more excited. I’m grateful for what’s ahead….Can’t wait to get going.”

Coach Unseld added during that presser, “I think we’ve really had an opportunity to upgrade, strengthen and bolster our roster.”

“So, I’m extremely excited about where we are as a group. A lot of challenges that lie ahead. But certainly, something we all embrace and look forward to.”

Best Case Scenario: The Wizards make the Playoff outright in the bottom part of the Eastern Conference. Beal returns to All-Star and All-NBA form. Porzingis is healthy and has an impactful season. The supporting cast of Hachimura, Avdija, Kuzma, Kispert, Barton, and Morris become of the best scoring benches in the NBA. They are a middle of the road defensive team and produce a Top 15 offense.  

Worst Case Scenario: Wizards must make the Playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. They continue to struggle defensively. Porzingis and Beal battle injuries again and miss significant time.

Grade: B+

Western Conference

Dallas Mavericks: 52-30 (2^nd Southwest Division; No. 4 Seed in West; 29-12 at home, 23-18 on the road); Defeated the No. 4 Seeded Utah Jazz 4-2 in West Quarter Finals; Defeated the No. 1 Seeded Phoenix Suns 4-3 in West Semifinals; Lost to No. 3 Seeded Golden State Warriors 4-1 in West Quarterfinals.

-108.0 ppg-24^th; opp. ppg: 104.7-2^nd; 43.0 rpg-24^th   

For two decades, the Dallas Mavericks foundation was around German native who help turn them into one of the best teams in the NBA and eventually NBA champions in 2011. He also got some help from a Hall of Famer that is now their head coach. For two straight seasons, the Mavericks have been led by another foreigner that has led them to the Playoffs three consecutive seasons after a three-year absence. They shocked the world with their most successful postseason run last spring since they won it all a little over a decade ago as they fell to the eventual NBA champions for the “Bay Area.” With a couple new parts around their current star player and said player coming into this season in shape and focused right from the beginning unlike last season, the goal for the Mavericks in an even more stacked Western Conference is to get back to the West Finals and advance. 

It took now retired future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki five seasons to get the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals, which he did in 2003 when they lost to the eventual NBA champion Spurs 4-2. Three years later, they reached the NBA Finals but lost 4-2 to fellow future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade and the Heat. It was not until 2011 that the Mavericks got back to The Finals where Nowitzki and now Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and they defeated the Heat also 4-2 to capture their first NBA title.

It took the Mavericks current star player and fellow foreigner Luka Doncic only four years to get the Mavericks to the brink of The Finals as season ago, where their season ended to the eventual NBA champion Warriors.

Getting to within two games of the championship round for the Mavericks under their new head coach in Kidd was not an easy journey.

The boys from “Big D” began 2021-22 16-18 their first 34 games in the 2021 portion and a big reason for that is Doncic who played for his home country came into the season not in peak physical condition.

That resulted in Doncic dealing with some injuries and 15 of the 17 total games he missed last season came in the 2021 portion of last season.

Coach Kidd called the 2019 Kia Rookie of the Year out for that.

When that occurs, you can either taken that criticism as a serious form of disrespect or used it as motivation to get back on track. Because it came from Kidd, who has played at a high level in the NBA for nearly two decades, who a title with said Mavericks, Doncic took it to heart. What also helped is that he was not voted an All-Star starter, which served as even more motivation.

“All athletes at his level go through it at levels where things are just easy and you’re always used to being the best,” Mavericks’ Governor Mark Cuban said about Doncic back in late February. “You’re always used to getting all the accolades and then when something doesn’t go according to what you expected it makes you reconsider.”  

Doncic (28.4 ppg-3^rd NBA, 8.2 apg-5^th NBA, 9.1 rpg, 45.7 FG%, 35.33-Pt.%) really turned up his play as the season shifted to the 2022 portion and he got in shape and got the Mavericks back not only in the thick of the West Playoff race but had them in contention for homecourt advantage in the postseason.

The Mavericks went in 2022 36-12 to earn the No. 4 spot in the West and the play of Doncic was a huge reason why.

Doncic earned his third consecutive All-Star selection and third straight All-NBA First Team selection by registering a career-best 49 double-doubles, which was tied for No. 7 in the league in 2021-22 with Nikola Vucevic of the Bulls. That included 10 of his franchise leading 46 triple-doubles in 2021-22. Those 10 triple-doubles tied Lakers Russell Westbrook for No. 3 in the league as season ago and those 46 triple-doubles are the most in NBA history by a player 23 years of age or younger. Doncic has authored four of his 46 career triple-doubles after three quarters.  

When registered a triple-double of 33 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds in the Mavericks 107-98 win versus the 76ers on ESPN, followed by 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds Feb. 6 in the team’s 103-94 victory versus the Hawks, Doncic for the sixth time in his career had a triple-double in consecutive games.

                Most Career Double-Digit 30-Point Triple-Doubles NBA History                 
Oscar Robertson 106                        Larry Bird 17
Russell Westbrook (LAL) 48           Earvin “Magic” Johnson 17
LeBron James (LAL) 37                  Michael Jordan 16
James Harden (PHI) 35                    Nikola Jokic (DEN) 12
Luka Doncic (DAL) 31                     Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 10
Wilt Chamberlin 21

Doncic in his career has registered a 174 career 20/5/5 (points/rebounds/assists) games, with 49 of those games authored in 2021-22 (26 in 2018-19; 50 in 2019-20; 49 in 2020-21).

          Most Career Games With 30 Points, 10 Rebounds, 15 Assists                  
Luka Doncic (DAL) 8                       LeBron James (LAL) 3
Russell Westbrook (LAL) 7             Bradley Beal (WAS) 2
Earvin “Magic” Johnson 6              Michael Jordan 2
James Harden (PHI) 5

While he may only still be in the infancy of his NBA career, Doncic has already registered 86 career games where he has led the Mavericks in points, rebounds, and assists. That is more than Nowitzki and fellow former Maverick Michael Finley had in their respective careers.

Only Nikola Jokic led his squad in points, rebounds, and assists more times at 39 than the 35 times Doncic did it in 2021-22.

Most Games In 2021-22 One Led Their Team In Points, Rebounds, And Assists In A Game
Nikola Jokic (DEN) 39                      Joel Embiid (PHI) 11
Luka Doncic (DAL) 35                      LeBron James (LAL) 11
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 14

The Slovenian sensation registered 58 20-plus point games, which tied 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid for No. 6 in the league a season ago. The Mavericks went 40-18 in 2021-22 when that occurred.

He also registered the eighth most 30-plus point games and tied fellow All-Star guard Ja Morant of the Grizzlies for the sixth most 40-plus point games in the NBA in 2021-22.

In the last 41 games of 2021-22, Doncic authored 20-plus points in 39 of those contests. 

                      Most 25-Plus Point Games 2021-22: Done 40-Plus Times                         
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 55             Devin Booker (PHX) 42
Joel Embiid (PHI) 52                                    Jayson Tatum (BOS) 42
Trae Young (ATL) 52                                   Kevin Durant (BKN) 42
DeMar DeRozan (CHI) 48                           Donovan Mitchell (UTA) 40
Nikola Jokic (DEN) 47                     
Luka Doncic (DAL) 45
LeBron James (LAL) 45

In February Doncic earned his second Western Conference Player of the Month of his young career with averages of 34.7 points, 10.3 boards, and 8.8 assists on 45.7 percent from the field and 41.2 percent on his threes. That 34.7 scoring average represents the highest in a month (minimum of 10 games played) in Mavericks’ history.

In the Mavericks 112-105 win versus the Clippers, Doncic scored a career-high of 51 points with nine rebounds, and six assists on 17/26 from the field, 7/14 from three-point range, and 10/14 at the foul line. He set a new franchise record with seven made triples in the opening period. Became the first Maverick to score 50 points since Nowitzki did it in 2006. On the Grizzlies and Magic have gone longer without a player having a 50-point game.

               Doncic 51-Points Breakdown                  
28 Points 1^st Quarter 10/13 FGs: 7/10 3-Pt.
32 Points First Half, 11/16 FGs: 7/11 3-Pt.
43 Points after 3 Quarters 16/25 FGs: 7/14 3-Pt.
8 Points 4^th Quarter 6/6 FTs     

                 Players To Score 50 In A Game In Mavericks History                             
Dirk Nowitzki        53 Points Dec. 2, 2004 113-106 Win Versus Rockets
Luka Doncic          51 Points Feb. 10, 2022 112-105 Win Versus Clippers
Dirk Nowitzki        51 Points Mar. 23, 2006 122-121 Loss Versus Warriors
Jamal Mashburn   50 Points Nov. 12, 1994 124-120 Win at Bulls
Jim Jackson           50 Points Nov. 26, 1994 124-123 Win at Nuggets

     Highest Scoring Quarters In Luka Doncic’s Career   
Feb. 10, 2022 versus Clippers 28 Points 1^st Quarter
Feb. 12, 2022 versus Clippers 23 Points 4^th Quarter
Apr. 27, 2021 at Warriors 23 Points 3^rd Quarter
22 Points Twice

Most Consecutive Points In A Game By A Mavericks Player Since 1996097
Luka Doncic              Feb. 10, 2022   Versus Clippers      19 Points
Luka Doncic              Feb. 10, 2022   Versus Clippers      17 Points
Tim Hardaway, Jr.   Apr. 29, 2021    At Pistons                17 Points
Seth Curry                 Dec.12, 2019    Versus Raptors       16 Points
Dirk Nowitzki           Dec. 15, 2008    Versus Nuggets       16 Points

At one-point last season, Doncic registered seven consecutive games with at least 10 assists, which tied former Maverick Brad Davis’s mark and fell one game shy of Coach Kidd for the most such games in a row in Mavericks history.

With Doncic in the lineup a season ago, the Mavericks went 44-21 and were just 8-9 without him. He did miss only two games when the calendar turned to 2022.  

Doncic is the headliner of the Mavericks offense. That is in large part because the supporting cast around him each played their roles to perfection a season ago, especially with their ability to make shots from three.

One player that really helped in allowing Doncic to be both a scorer and facilitator was Jalen Brunson who when he was inserted into the starting lineup on Dec. 12, 2021, the Mavericks were an exceptional 31-11.

Before going down with a fractured foot in the second quarter of the Mavericks 120-91 at the Warriors Jan. 25 on TNT, Tim Hardaway, Jr. (14.2 ppg) was their second-best scorer for them. While he struggled shooting overall from the field (39.4%) and from three (103/304 3-Pt.) he would find ways to get hot from the perimeter and be that compliment to Doncic, which he did production seven 20-plus point games and totaled over 100 made triples for the eighth time in his first nine NBA seasons.

The hopes was that Kristaps Porzingis would have developed into the other part of the Mavericks 1-2 Punch. But continuously being on the shelf because of injury did not help and it got to the point that Governor Mark Cuban and the Mavericks front office needed to make a choice.

They decided that the time was now to move on from Porzingis and at the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline, the dealt Porzingis to the Wizards along with a 2022 Second Round pick in exchange for guard Spencer Dinwiddie and sharp-shooting forward Davis Bertans.

The trade really worked out for the Mavericks as Dinwiddie gave them another top shot maker to go alongside Doncic, especially making shots in the clutch.

In the Mavericks 95-92 victory Mar. 13 at the Celtics, Dinwiddie hit the game-winning three to cap off his 18-point performance on 3/6 from three. Three nights later at his old team the Nets, Dinwiddie came up huge again sinking the game-winning triple at the buzzer over Nets’ star Kevin Durant for a 113-111 win at Nets on ESPN. That put the capper on a 22-point night for Dinwiddie with his second triple of that contest.

Spencer Dinwiddie In           Wizards: 12.6 Points, 5.8 Assists, 4.7 Rebounds 37.6 FG%
2021-22 With Wizards          31.0 3-Pt.% (70/216 3-P.t) Seven Double-Doubles in 44 Games
& Mavericks                          Mavericks: 15.8 Points,  3.9 Assists, 49.8 FG%, 40.4 3-Pt.%
                                                42/104 3-Pt. in 23 Games.

With the Mavericks, Dinwiddie scored under 10 points just twice in 21 games played with Mavericks.

The Mavericks went 6-1 the times Dinwiddie has started and were 11-4 in games in which he came off the bench.

The addition of Dinwiddie allowed the rest of the Mavericks to play their position in the pecking order.

Dorian Finney-Smith (11.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 47.1 FG%, 39.5 3-Pt.%) and Reggie Bullock (8.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 36.0 3-Pt.%) gave the Mavericks perimeter shooting and tough defense against the best scoring wings in the league.  

In the Mavericks 120-112 victory Mar. 30 at Cavaliers, Finney-Smith scored a career-high 28 points on 10/16 from the field on 10/16 from the field.

The Mavericks went 19-6 in 2021-22 when Finney-Smith registered 10-plus points and five-plus rebounds. He hit a career- with 172 three made (172/435 3-Pt.). The Mavericks were also 14-1 a season ago when Bullock scored 15 points or more.

Bullock had seven straight games from Jan. 26-Feb. 1 were he made three-plus threes

Reggie Bullock’s Three Straight 20-Plus Point Games: First Streak Of His Career
Feb. 2 (120-114 OT) Loss Versus Thunder: 23 Points, 8 Rebounds, 3 Steals,
8/16 FGs: 5/13 3-Pt.
Feb. 4 (107-98) Win Versus 76ers on ESPN: 20 Points, 4/11 3-Pt.
Feb 6 (103-94) Win Versus Hawks on ESPN: 22 Points, 9 Rebounds, Two Steals
8/14 FGs: 6/10 3-Pt.

Bullock and Finney-Smith and at time Bertans (5.6 ppg in 56 Games w/Wizards & Mavericks) made up for the absence of Maxi Kleber (7.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg) who because of injuries the last two seasons saw his production as well as what he brings at the defensive end. He missed 22 games in 2020-21 and 33 games in 2021-22 due to injuries and health and safety protocols.

That left Dwight Powell (8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 67.1 FG%-career-high) to hold it down in the paint on both ends, which he did.

Powell was also unlike Kleber available. He along with Suns Mikal Bridges, Saddiq Bey of Pistons, Kevon Looney of the Warriors, and Deni Avdija of Wizards were the only players to play in all 82 games in 2021-22. 

Highest Field Goal Percentage In Single-Season In Mavericks History (Minimum 200 FG Attempts)
                                         Season         FG%
Dwight Powell               2021-22         67.1%
Brandan Wright           2013-14         66.7%
Tyson Chandler            2014-15         66.6 %
Tyson Chandler            2010-11         65.4%

Over the final two games of 2021-22, Powell set the Mavericks’ record with 18  consecutive field goals made, surpassing the mark of 14 straight makes from the floor that he shared with now Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan and former Mavericks’ center Erick Dampier.  

While the Mavericks were a middle of the pack team when it came to shooting, ranking No. 18 in shooting at 46.1 percent and No. 19 in three-point percentage at 35.0 percent, they were No. 8 in threes attempted at 37.4 and were No. 10 in makes at 13.1.

What makes Doncic such a prolific scorer is his ability to score in the paint, from mid-range and especially from three-point range. After totaling 168, 171, 192 made threes his first three NBA seasons, Doncic hit 201 total threes a season ago.

Most 20-Plus Made Threes In A Single Season In Mavericks History
                                     Season         3-Pt Made
George McCloud      1995-96             257
Tim Hardaway, Jr.   2020-21             207
Tm Hardaway, Jr.    2019-20             204
Luka Doncic             2021-22             201

The Mavericks in their 139-107 triumph at the Pelicans on Dec. 2, 2021, shot a single-game franchise record 68.7 percent from the field (57/83 FGs). It was their highest shooting percentage in a game since March 13, 1998, when Clippers shot 69.3 percent in a 152-120 win versus the Raptors. Mavericks on this night shot 39/49 from two-point range. That 79.6 percentage from inside the three-point line is the third highest in a game in NBA history.

                              Highest FG% In A Game NBA History                                               
      Team                  Date                  Opponent            Result            FG%
      Spurs              4/16/1983            @Mavericks     132-120 Win     70.7% 
      Bulls                12/2/1981            @Warriors       120-114 Loss     70.5%
      Bulls                1/22/1980            Vs. Pistons       145-131 Win      69.9%
    Blazers               2/1/1986             Vs. Clippers     156-121 Win      69.7%
      Suns                3/12/1980            @Warriors       122-113 Win      69.6%
    Clippers            3/13/1998            Vs. Raptors      152-120 Win      69.3%
      Suns                1/17/1987            Vs. Clippers      132-101 Win     69.1%
    Pistons              1/28/2022         Vs.(SD) Clippers 128-118 Win      69.1%
  Mavericks          12/2/2021            @ Pelicans        139-107 Win      68.7%            
     76ers                3/22/1986         Vs. (NJ) Nets       123-115 Wins     68.6% 

Most Wins Without A Loss When Winning FG% Battle In A Game Since 1982-83
Grizzlies             2021-22   44-0 Record
Hawks                1996-97   43-0 Record
Timberwolves    2021-22   37-0 Record
Mavericks          2021-22   34-0 Record
Nuggets              1987-88   33-0 Record

In the Mavericks 110-108 win on Mar. 21 versus the Timberwolves, they had six players score 15-plus points. Powell had 22; Dinwiddie had 20; Bullock scored 18; Finney-Smith, Brunson, and Doncic each scored 15.

This was the first game in which the Mavericks had six players each score 15 points or more since a 113-96 victory Apr. 23, 1989, at Nuggets when on that night Rolando Blackman scored 21; Roy Tarpley had 20 points and 20 rebounds; Derek Harper had 18; Sam Perkins scored 17 points with 14 rebounds; Adrian Dantley and Brad Davis each scored 15. 

The Mavericks though won for a majority of last season because of their ability to defend unlike the previous two seasons. They led the NBA in opponent’s threes made (10.9) were No. 4 in opponent’s three-point percentage (34.0%); were No. 3 in opponent’s three-point attempts (32.1); and were No. 8 in fewest free throw allowed to their opponent (20.6).

In the Mavericks 107-101 victory Feb. 27 at the Warriors, the Mavericks went on a 26-1 run from 9:59 to 1:30 left in the fourth quarter. They outscored the Warriors 23-13 in the fourth quarter. 

In their 109-104 win on Mar. 1 at the Lakers on TNT, the Mavericks used a 15-2 run from 7:23-15.8 seconds left in regulation to win, outscoring the hometown Lakers 24-17 in the fourth quarter. 

They also produced a 23-6 mark when the held their opponent under 100 points in 2021-22 as well as produced 17 double-digit comeback wins, tied for the most in the NBA.

That ability to consistently get stops was a big reason the Mavericks registered a solid 22-16 mark in clutch time in 2021-22, which included a 13-2 mark in clutch time after starting the season with a 9-14 mark in clutch games.

Mavericks In             13-2 Record: .867 winning percentage-Best In NBA
Clutch Time              13 Wins In Clutch Time: Tied With Suns-13-6 In Clutch Time Since
Since Feb. 4                  
                                    Mavericks 55.4 FG%: 2^nd Only To Bulls (56.0 FG%) in Clutch
                                    Games (Bulls 9-6 In Clutch Games Since Feb. 4)

The Mavericks in the past three seasons shown the ability to get off to strong starts. When they have led at the end of the first quarter the past three seasons, they have produced a 59-15 mark, including going 29-14 when leading after the first in 2021-22.

In 39 out of their final 50 games of last season, the Mavericks were up by double-digits.

Mavericks In       First 34 Games              Last 48 Games
2021-22                      16-18             W-L            36-12
                                   105.3             PPG            110.0
                                     33%           3-Pt.%          37%
                                     36%       Opp. 3-Pt.%    33%

Mavericks ended 2021-22 on a four-game winning streak, going 16-5 their final 21 games, 36-12 their final 48 games and were 41-16 following a 3-9 mark the previous 12 games to clinch the No. 4 Seed and earn home court in the First Round of 2022 NBA Playoffs.

Only the Celtics at 17-5 had a better record post All-Star break than the 17-6 mark by the Mavericks.  

Best Record NBA Since Dec. 26, 2021
Suns:           38-7    Mavericks: 37-13
Grizzlies:    36-12  76ers:          34-15

Since Jan. 11, the Mavericks went 21-4 at American Airlines Center to close out last season, including a 13-2 mark their final 15 home games. They compiled a 17-4 mark at the AAC against sub. 500 teams a season ago. Their .850 winning percentage at home was second in the NBA in 2022.

Mavericks Home Record The Last Six Seasons
2016-17: 21-20    2019-20: 19-15
2017-18: 15-26    2020-21: 21-15
2018-19: 24-17    2021-22: 29-12     

      Best Home Records In NBA 2022                    
Grizzlies:    17-3        Timberwolves: 16-5
Mavericks: 21-4         Celtics: 18-6
Hawks:       19-5

Mavericks finished 20-13 their final 33 road games, including a 10-5 mark their final 15 road games.

Best Road Records NBA Since Feb. 15
Nuggets: 9-1    Suns: 10-4
Celtics: 10-3   Mavericks: 10-5
76ers:     9-4

The Mavericks began their First Round of 2022 Playoffs with a home loss in Game 1 with a 99-93 loss versus Jazz Apr. 16 on ESPN, who outscored them 79-70 final three quarters as they trailed the entire second half down by as many as 12 points.

The Mavericks cut a once 11-point deficit in the final period to one but never got the lead.

Mavericks suffered their first home loss since a 107-77 loss defeat Mar. 9 versus Knicks, snapping a six-game winning streak. Also suffered their first Game 1 home loss in the Postseason since 2011 Playoffs, won their first NBA title.

Dinwiddie led way with 22 points and 8 assists (6/15 FGs: 0/4 3-Pt.) going 10/16 at foul line. Bullock had 15 points and six rebounds with two steals on 3/8 from three. Finney-Smith 14 points and five boards with two blocks. Kleber added 10 points.

Spencer Dinwiddie 1^st Half: 10 Points, 3 Assists, 4/9 FGs, 2/3 FTs
Game 1                    2^nd Half: 12 Points, 5 Assists, 2/6 FGs, 8/13 FTs

Doncic (left calf strain) injured in regular-season finale, 130-120 win versus the Spurs out.

They nodded the series 1-1 with a 110-104 victory Game 2 Apr. 18 on NBATV going 22/47 from three-point range.

Mavericks overcame a 10-point third quarter deficit after trailing 55-48 at half trailed 81-77 after three quarters. They outscored the Jazz 33-23 in the fourth period.

Mavericks 22 made threes in Game 2 set a single-game franchise Playoff record and just had just three turnovers, all by Dinwiddie.

Brunson scored a career-high 41 points with eight rebounds, five assists and two steals, on 15/25 shooting, including 6/10 from three. Kleber had 25 points and six rebounds making 8/11 from three with eight made threes setting a new Playoff career-high.

Players To Score 40 Or More In A Playoff Game In Mavericks History
Luka Doncic 8 Times            Nick Van Exel
Dirk Nowitzki: 7 Times        Jalen Brunson
Rolando Blackman

Doncic (left calf strain) out for second straight game.

Mavericks regained home court advantage with a 126-118 victory Apr. 21 on TNT in Game 3, going 18/42 from three-point range.

Mavericks won their first game at the Jazz since Apr. 11, 2016 snapping an 11-game losing streak at the Jazz.

Dinwiddie had 20 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Kleber had 17 points on 4/5 from three. Bertans had 15 points on 4/7 from three. Finney-Smith had 14 points, 8 rebounds, and four steals. Bullock (6 rebounds, 3/6 3-Pt.) and Josh Green (6 assists, two steals, 3/5 from three) each scored 12 points.

Green and Bertans first two games of series combined for six points. The two combined for 27 points on 10/13 shooting and 7/12 from three-point range in Game 3.  

Mavericks led from late first quarter on leading by as many as 17 points as they outscored the Jazz 41-31 in the second quarter to lead 68-51 at half. Dinwiddie scored six points on three straight possessions, who scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to put the Mavericks up 113-104 and held off a late rally by the Jazz.

Mavericks got 49 points from their bench.

Doncic (left calf strain) missed his third straight game. 

The Jazz nodded the series 2-2 with Mavericks winning Game 4 100-99 Apr. 23 on TNT.

Doncic (left calf strain) had 30 points and 10 rebounds on 11/21 shooting making four threes (4/10 3-Pt.) in his return from a three-game absence. Finney-Smith had all 11 of his points in the third quarter, going 3/6 on his threes.

Mavericks trailed by as many as 16 points in the second quarter and trailed 54-42 at half. Outscored Jazz 39-24 in the third quarter using a 12-2 run that put them up 74-71 after three quarters. A three by Doncic put the Jazz up 99-95. But allowed five straight points that put the Mavericks down 100-99 with 11.0 seconds left in regulation. Dinwiddie’s potential game-winning three off a pas from Doncic missed at final buzzer.

Doncic led the Mavericks in points, rebounds, and assists (4) outright for the sixth time in his postseason career. He also registered his 9^th career 30-plus point game in the Playoffs.

Mavericks dropped to 1-12 their last 13 games at the Jazz.

Mavericks won Game 5 105-77 Apr. 25 on TNT to take a 3-2 series lead as they led the contest wire-to-wire leading by as many as 33 points using a 22-4 run in the second quarter to put the game away.

Mavericks outrebounded the Jazz 49-40. Scored 21 points off 13 Jazz turnovers and went 12/43 on their threes. They also outscored Jazz 14-8 in second chance points.

Doncic 33 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists on 11/22 shooting making three triples (3/10 3-Pt.) and 8/12 from the foul line. Finney-Smith had 12 points and five boards on 3/7 from three.

Doncic scored 19 of his 33 points in the third quarter equaling the Jazz total of 19 points in the period.

For the second straight postseason, the Mavericks lead First-Round series 3-2. They lost Game 6 in 2021 First Round versus Clippers and lost the series in seven games.

Mavericks won the series taking Game 6 at Jazz, winning the series 4-2, advancing to the West Semis for the first time since 2011.

Doncic 24 points, eight assists, and nine rebounds (8/21 FGs) 4/10 from three. Dinwiddie 19 points (7/12 FGs) going 4/7 from three. Finney-Smith 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists (7/13 FGs) going 4/9 from three.

Doncic 10 points and five boards (4/7 FGs: 2/3 3-Pt.) in third quarter.

Mavericks trailed for majority for first three quarters down by as many as 12 points and trailed 53-41 at half. Mavericks roared back outscoring Jazz 36-19 in third quarter and led 88-80 in the fourth period. The Mavericks split a pair of free throws to go up 98-96 with 04.3 seconds left and held on as the Jazz missed their potential game-winning three.

Mavericks went 17/43 from three, including 14/25 in the second half, including 8/12 from three in the third after going 0/10 on their threes in the first period. Mavericks 14 made threes in second half, setting a franchise record in a Playoff game in any half.

Mavericks 3-Pt.  Gm 1: 9/32    28.1%  Loss  Gm 4: 15/44 34.1%
In Series              Gm 2: 22/47  46.8%  Win  Gm 5: 12/43 27.9 %
                             Gm 3: 18/42  42.9%  Win  Gm 6: 17/43 39.5 %

Jazz averaged 15.5 made threes in First Round against the Jazz, were a +132 from three-point range.

Mavericks scored 18 points off 11 Jazz turnovers.

Mavericks’               DAL               UTA       2^nd Half    DAL              UTA
1^st Half Of                  41      Pts         53                            57       Pts       43
Game 4                     3/18    3-Pt.      5/17                        14/25   3-Pt.    4/18
                                   17     Rebs        26                            20     Rebs       22
                                     7   Assists       14                            15     Asts          6
                                   10  Bench Pts   17                           16  Bench Pts   8

Mavericks In Closeout Games Their Last Three Chances
2014  First Round Game 7  at  Spurs      Tied 3-3    Lost
2021  First Round Game 6 vs.  Clippers  Up   3-2    Lost
2021  First Round Game 7 at   Clippers  Tied 3-3    Lost
2022  First Round Game 6 at    Jazz         Up 3-2     Won

Doncic reached 500 career points in his playoff career in 16 games. Only Hall of Famer Michael Jordan did it quicker in 14 Playoff game.

The Mavericks dropped Game 1 of the West Semis at Suns 121-114 May 2 on TNT

Doncic had 45 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists on 15/30 shooting, making four threes (4/11 3-Pt.), and 11/14 at the foul line. Kleber had 19 points on 5/8 from three. Finney-Smith also had 15 points with six boards.

Mavericks never led in Game 1 down by as many as 21 points pulled with 51-47 midway through the second quarter but an 18-9 run by the Suns closed half on an 18-9 run.

Doncic 45 points 15/30 shooting and 4/11 from three. Rest of Mavericks starters combined for 39 points on 15/36 shooting and 4/14 from three.

Bullock 1^st Round  Games 1-4:  12.3 Points, 16/32 FGs (50%), 12/27 3-Pt. (44%)
Against Jazz           Games 5 &6: 7.5 Points, 5/15 3-Pt.
                                Game 1 West Semis: 7 Points, 6 Rebounds, 2/7 3-Pt.

Dinwiddie 15.3 points in First Round against the Jazz, had just 8 points, 3/8 shooting in Game 1 at Suns.

Mavericks dropped Game 2 129-109 May 4 at Suns on TNT to fall behind 2-0 in series.

Mavericks overcame a 10-point deficit in opening period and led 60-58 at half outscoring Suns 32-26 in second quarter. Mavericks were outscored 71-49 in second half, including 40-26 in fourth quarter by Suns.

Doncic 35 points, seven assists, and five rebounds on 13/22 shooting and 5/10 from three. Bullock 16 points going 4/8 on his threes. Dinwiddie 11 points (3/10 FGs: 2/5 3-Pt.), had just one point going 0/5 shooting (0/2 3-Pt.) in second half.

Doncic      1^st Half:  24 Points, 6 Assists 9/14 FGs: 4/7 3-Pt.
Game 2    2^nd Half: 11 Points, 1 Assists, 4/8 FGs: 1/3 3-Pt.

Mavericks won Game 3 103-94 May 6 on ESPN to cut the series deficit 2-1 and snapped an 11-game losing streak to Suns dating back to regular season.

Mavericks overcame a six-point deficit in midway through first quarter and led from that point on up by as many as 18 points in the second quarter.

Doncic had 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists with two steals on 11/25 shooting. Bullock had 15 points on 4/10 from three with three steals. Kleber 14 points and three blocks and Finney-Smith also had 14 points going 4/11 from three with three steals.

Doncic had his 12^th career 30-Point game of his postseason career, tied for fourth most in NBA Playoff history before age 24.  

Mavericks, who went 13/39 from three outscored Suns 50-32 in paint; 16-10 in second chance points and forced 17 Suns turnovers for 22 points.

Mavericks 1^st Two  Doncic: 80 Total Points on 28/52 FGs 15 assists
Games of Series      Rest of Starters: 70 Total Points 25/62 FGs, 6 Assists

Mavericks starters outside of Doncic in Game 3 totaled 59 points and eight assists 21/49 shooting and 9/26 from three.

Mavericks held an opponent under 100 points for the fourth time in 2022 Playoffs.

35 Points, 10 Rebounds, 5 Assists Through First 3 Games Of A Series NBA Playoff History
2022 Luke Doncic (DAL) West Semifinals
2017 Russell Westbrook (LAL) First Round w/Thunder
2015 LeBron James (LAL) NBA Finals w/Cavaliers
2003 Tim Duncan West Finals w/Spurs
1994 Charles Barkley West First Round w/Suns
1972 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar West Finals w/Bucks
1970 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar East Divisional Finals w/Bucks
1969 John Havlicek NBA Finals w/Celtics

Mavericks tied series 2-2 winning Game 4 111-101 May 8 versus Suns on ESPN.

Doncic had his fifth double-double of this postseason with 26 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds (9/25 FGs: 1/10 3-Pt.; 7/8 FTs). Finney-Smith had a Playoff career-high 24 points with eight rebounds on 8/12 from three. Bertans 12 points on 4/6 from three. Kleber 11 points and seven rebounds. Dinwiddie 10 points (3/10 FGs: 2/4 3-Pt.).

Mavericks led for majority of games leading by as many as 17 points early in second quarter and held off a couple of Suns rallies behind making threes at critical times.

Mavericks went 20/44 from three, tying a single-game franchise Playoff record with 20 made threes. Made 20 threes in Game 4 close out game of 2011 West Semis against the Lakers. Mavericks were 14/24 from three in the opening half versus Suns, tying a franchise record for threes in a half.

Finney-Smith made five threes in first half, a career-high for a half and eight made threes in Game 5 also set a career-high.

Mavericks had a series high 37 points in first quarter and 68 points in the opening half tied for highest scoring half of 2022 Playoffs.

Most Points First 20 Career Playoff Games NBA History
Michael Jordan   718                        Luka Doncic (DAL) 655
Wilt Chamberlin 705

Mavericks dropped Game 5 at Suns 110-80 May 10 on TNT to trail the series 3-2.

Doncic 28 points, 11 rebound with three steals on 10/23 shooting (2/8 3-Pt.). Bertans 10 points 3/4 from three. Rest of team 14/44 shooting, including 3/20 from three.

Mavericks in Game 5 shot just 38 percent from the field (27/71 FGs), including 8/32 from three.

Mavericks forced Game 7 winning Game 6 versus Suns at home 113-86 to tie series 3-3 outscoring Suns 21-8 in fastbreak points. They had 31 bench points; went 16/39 from three-point range and 27/36 at the charity stripe. Mavericks forced 22 Suns turnovers, with 16 off those 22 turnovers coming on steals.

Mavericks used a 19-5 run to close first half after trailing by points back in the first quarter leading by double-digits from that point on leading by as many as 27 points as they outscored the Suns 33-20 in the second quarter to put the game away.

Doncic  had 33 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and four steals on 11/26 from the field. Bullock had a Playoff career-high of 19 points with seven rebounds on 5/11 on his triple tries. Dinwiddie had 19 points on 5/7 from three.

Doncic had his fifth career 30/10/5 (points/rebounds/assist) game of his postseason career, which set a new franchise record and the second most in NBA Playoff history by a player before age 24 behind Lakers’ LeBron James.

Mavericks won their first elimination game in three tries in Luka Doncic era, now 1-2 (lost Games 6 and 7 2021 First Round against the Clippers). Their 33-point win at Suns second largest margin of victory by a road team in Game 7 since 1948 Philadelphia Warriors defeated St. Louis Bombers by 49 points (85-46) and tied for fifth largest margin of victory in NBA Playoff history.  

Mavericks dominated the Suns to win Game 7 in Phoenix 123-90 May 15 on TNT leading wire-to-wire up by as many as 46 points breaking the game open outscoring the Suns 30-10 in the second quarter to lead 57-27 at half and 92-50 after three quarters.

Doncic had 35 points and 10 rebounds with two steals on 13/19 from the field and 6/11 from three. Dinwiddie had 30 points on 11/5 shooting and 5/7 from three.

Dinwiddie became the second reserve to score 30 points in Game 7 since 1970-71.

Doncic and Dinwiddie became the eighth pair of teammates to each score 30 points in Game 7, including the first since Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant did it in 2002.

Mavericks shot 56.8 percent from the floor (46/81 FGs) and 19/39 on their threes, going 16/33 from three first three quarters in winning for the first time at Suns dating back to 2019-20 and being the first team in series to win a road game.

Mavericks 27 points on 10/21 shooting, including 5/14 from three to lead 27-17 after the opening period.

1^st Quarter    Doncic: 12 points, 8 Rebounds, 5/7 FGs: 2/4 3-P.t
Game 7          Suns Starters: 9 Points, 3/13 FGs: 1/4 3-Pt.

1^st Half           Doncic: 27 Points, 9 Rebounds, 3 Assists 9/12 FGs: 4/7 3-Pt. 5/5 FTs,
Game 7          Dinwiddie: 21 Points, 7/10 FGs: 4/5 3-Pt.
                       Suns: 27 Points, 10/41 FGs: 3/14 3-Pt. 20 Rebounds    

Mavericks fell seven points shy of equaling the seventh largest margin of victory in Game 7 in NBA Playoff history of 40 points by 2005 Mavericks over Rockets in 2005 First Round.

Mavericks In             +132 From Three-Point Range First Round Against Jazz
First Two Rounds       +99 From Three-Point Range West Semis Against  Suns
Of 2022 Playoffs  

Mavericks dropped Game 1 111-87 of West Finals at Warriors May 18 on TNT, shooting just 36 percent from the floor (31/86 FGs) going 11/48 on their threes and 14/21 at the foul line. They scored just 18 points on 3/19 from three in first quarter.

Mavericks had just 14 assists and 13 turnovers. Their 3/19 from three in the first quarter in Game 1 falling one shy of equaling all-time mark for threes attempted in a quarter in NBA Playoff history.

Mavericks 48 threes attempted set a single-game franchise Playoff record for threes attempted.

Mavericks suffered their third 20-points loss of this postseason. They also have registered three 20-point wins in 2022 Playoffs.

Mavericks dropped Game 2 two nights later at Warriors 126-117 May 20 on TNT to trail series 2-0.

They led by as many as 16 points in the first period and led 53-34 at 7:08 mark of second quarter and 72-58 at half. Mavericks were outscored 68-45 in second half.

Mavericks went 21/45 from three and 20/25 at the foul line in Game 2

Doncic 42 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals on 12/23 shooting and 5/10 from three and 13/15 at foul line. Bullock 21 points on 6/10 from three. Finney-Smith 10 points and eight boards.

Doncic had 14 points (3/6 FGs; 2/3 3-Pt.) on 6/6 from the foul line in fourth quarter.

Mavericks, who had just 87 points on 11/48 from three with just 14 assists and getting outrebounded by 16 (51-35) had 72 points with 16 assists being only a minus two on the glass (20-18) going 15/27 from three in the first half, which set a franchise record for made threes in first half with 15 made threes. They went just 6/18 on their threes in second half.

Mavericks 3-Pt        Gm 1: 11/48 (22.9 %) 
First Two Games    Gm 2: 21/45 (46.7%)

Mavericks First Quarter    Gm 1: 7/26 FGs  (26.9%) 3/19 3-Pt. 
Games 1 & 2                        Gm 2: 11/24 FGs (45.8%) 6/15 3-Pt.

Doncic Games             Gm 1 18 Points 1^st Half; 2 Points 2^nd   Half
1 & 2 West Finals        Gm 2 24 Points 1^st Half; 18 Points 2^nd Half

Mavericks lost Game 3 at home versus Warriors, 109-100 May 22 on TNT to now trail the series 3-0.

Mavericks 13/45 from three and 27/34 at the foul line.

Luka Doncic in defeat had 40 points and 11 rebounds with two blocks on 11/23 shooting, including 4/9 from three and 14/17 at foul line. Dinwiddie had 26 points (7/13FGs) 4/9 from three-point range.

Most 40-Plus Point Games In NBA Playoff History Before Age 24
Luka Doncic (DAL) 8            LeBron James (LAL) 4 w/Cavaliers         
Rick Barry 5                          Jamal Murray (DEN) 4

Doncic 4/9 from three, rest of Mavericks starters went 5/18 from three-point range in Game 3. Bullock (0/10 FGs: 0/7 3-Pt.) and Kleber (0/5 3-Pt.) combined to go scoreless on 0/15 shooting and 0/12 from three-point range in Game 3.

Mavericks’ 1^st Quarter     Gm 1: 3/19 3-Pt
3-Pt. First Three Games   Gm 2: 6/15 3-Pt.
Of Series                             Gm3: 3/14 3-Pt.

 

                                               Luka Doncic Game 3                                                                        
-Had 10 Points, Six Rebounds (3/6 FGs, 3/4 FTs) In First Quarter: His 16^th 10-Plus Point First Quarter of 2022 Playoffs.
-Had 4 Points On 2/5 FGs In Third Quarter: Totaled 5 Field Goals and 6 Turnovers In
Third Quarter so far in series.
-Had 21 Points On 6/9 FGs, Including 3/5 From Three-Point Range in 4^th Quarter
-Had his 8^th Career 40-Point Game In Postseason, Tied Nowitzki for Most In Mavericks History. Rolando Blackman had two 40-point games for Mavericks in his postseason career.

Mavericks now 0-3 in 2022 Playoffs and 2-6 in their postseason history when Doncic score 40 or more.

Outside of Doncic’s 11 rebounds, rest of Mavericks totaled 22 rebounds.

Second Half Stats First Three Games of West Finals      
Game 1 DAL: 42 Points, 17/43 FGs (42%): 4/19 3-Pt.
                 GS: 58 Points, 24/43 FGs (56%): 5/11 3-Pt.

Game 2  DAL: 45 Points, 14/34 FGs (41%): 6/18 3-Pt.
                  GS: 68 Points, 25/41 FGs (61%): 6/13 3-Pt.

Game 3    GS: 61 Points, 20/38 FGs (53%): 6/13 3-Pt.
              DAL: 58 Points, 17/37 FGs (46%): 7/20 3-Pt.

Mavericks Rebounding  Gm 1: -16 Rebound Diff. of 51-35
First Three Games          Gm 2: -13 Rebound Diff. of 43-20 (25-13 in 2^nd Half
                                          Gm 3: -14 Rebound Diff. of 47-33 (14-7 Off. Rebs)

Mavericks avoided being swept winning Game 4 119-109 May 24 on TNT, to trail 3-1 in series, shooting 50 percent from the floor (41/82 FGs) and outrebounding the Warriors 45-42.

They led from late in second quarter on using a 25.6 run over a seven-minute stretch, holding the Warriors to 1/10 shooting from the field and forcing two turnovers in that stretch. Mavericks outscored the Warriors 71-46 the middle two quarters and held off a Warriors rally in the fourth quarter.

Mavericks in Game 4 had 30 assists on their 41 made field goals; went 20/43 on their threes, including 7/12 from three in the first quarter. They hit 20 or more three-pointers for fourth time in 2022 Playoffs and for the sixth time in their postseason history.

Doncic 30 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and two blocks on 10/26 shooting making three triples (3/11 3-Pt.) and 7/10 at foul line. Finney-Smith 23 points, six boards (9/13 FGs) on 4/7 from three. Bullock 18 points on 6/10 from three-point range. Kleber had 15 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks (5/6 FGs: 2/3 3-Pt.) Dinwiddie had 10 points (3/7 FGs: 2/5 3-Pt.) and eight assists.

Doncic had his fifth 30-plus point performance in his postseason career when facing elimination. Had his 10^th double-double of 2022 Playoffs and his 11^th career 30-point double-double of his postseason career, with seven of the 11 coming in 2022 Playoffs

Most 30-Point Games In NBA Playoffs History By Player Before Age 24
LeBron James (LAL) 21 w/Cavaliers
Luka Doncic (DAL) 17
Kevin Durant (BKN) 17 w/Thunder
Kobe Bryant 17

Mavericks improved to 6-2 at home in 2022 Playoffs, with losses in Game 1 of First Round versus Jazz and Game 3 of West Finals versus Warriors, which snapped a five-game postseason home winning streak.

Playoff Games Where Mavericks Made 20 Three-Pointers In Their History               
May 8, 2011 Game 4 2011 West Semis Versus Lakers 20/32 3-Pt. 122-86 Win
May 28, 2021 Game 3 2021 First Round Versus Clippers 20/39 3-Pt 118-108 Win
Apr. 18, 2022 Game 2 2022 First Round Versus Jazz 22/47 3-Pt. 110-104 Win
May 8, 2022 Game 4 West Semis Versus Suns 20/44 3-Pt. 111-101 Win
May 20, 2022 Game 2 2022 West Finals At Warriors 21/45 3-Pt. 126-117 Loss
May 24, 2022 Game 4 2022 West Finals Versus Warriors 20/43 3-Pt. 119-109 Win

Mavericks 3-Pt.                                                        Game 3      Game 4
Last Two Games           Reggie Bullock                    0/7               6/10
                                        Dorian Finney-Smith          2/5              4/7
                                        Maxi Kleber                        0/5              2/3

Mavericks improved to 3-0 in 2022 Playoffs when facing elimination.

Consecutive 30-Point Games When Facing Elimination To Begin Career NBA Playoff History: Elias Sports Bureau      *Before 1976-77 NBA/ABA Merger
                                     W-L
Elgin Baylor              *4-4             
Luka Doncic (DAL)   3-2
Bob McAdoo             *2-2

For the first four games of 2022 West Finals, the Mavericks made 65 three-pointers, 66 made field goals in paint and eight field goals from mid-range

Mavericks First                     Games 1-3                   Game 4
Four Games of                             -43         Pt. Diff.       +10
2022 West Finals                         -56        Paint Pts        -8
                                                      -43           Rebs           +3
                                                      -31            Asts           +4

The Mavericks majestic Playoff run concluded with a 120-110 loss at Warriors to lose the series 4-1, never leading in Game 5, trailing by as many as 25 points.

Mavericks cut their once 25 points down to eight points late in the third quarter and were down just 94-84 after three quarters. But never got any closer.

They shot 45.1 percent from the field  (37/82 FGs) in Game 5, going 17/42 from three-point range and 19/25 at the foul line.

Doncic in defeat had 28 points, nine rebounds and six assist but shot just 10/28 from the field, including 3/13 from three. He scored 15 of his 28 points in the third quarter on 5/8 FGs and 2/4 3-Pt (3/5 FTs). But had only six points on 2/10 shooting in the opening period of Game 6 and had six points on 2/12 from the field in the opening half.                          

                        Doncic In Elimination Games In His Postseason Career                                    
Aug. 30, 2020 111-97 Loss Game 6 First Round Vs. Clippers: 38 Points, 9 Assists, 9 Rebounds 15/28 FGs; 4/9 3-Pt.; 4/8 FTs

June 6, 2021 126-111 Loss Game 7 First Round At Clippers: 46 Points, 14 Assists, 7 Rebounds, 17/30 FGs: 5/11 3-Pt., 7/11 FTs

May 12, 2022 113-86 Win Game 6 West Semifinals Versus Suns: 33 Points, 11 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 4 Steals, 11/26 FGs: 2/8 3-Pt., 9/14 FTs

May 15, 2022 123-90 Win Game 7 West Semifinals At Suns: 35 Points, 10 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals, 12/19 FGs: 6/11 3-Pt., 5/5 FTs

May 24, 2022 119-109 Win Game 4 Western Conference Finals Versus Warriors:              30 Points, 14 Rebounds, 9 Assists, Two Steals, Two Blocks, 10/26 FGs: 3/11 3-Pt., 7/10 FTs  

May 26, 2022 120-110 Loss Game 5 Western Conference Finals At Warriors: 28 Points,                                  
9 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 10/28 FGs: 3/13 3-Pt., 5/7 FTs

Highest Scoring Average When Facing Elimination In NBA Playoff History (Min. 9 Games)
Luka Doncic (DAL) In 6 Games: 35.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 8.3 APG 1.7 SPG, 47.8 FG%

LeBron James (LAL) In 25 Games: 33.5 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 7.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 48.8 FG%, 44.7 mpg

Michael Jordan In 13 Games: 31.3 PPG 7.9 RPG, 7.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 45.8 FG%, 41.6 MPG

Wilt Chamberlin In 23 Games: 31.1 PPG, 25.7 RPG, 54.6 FG%

Kevin Durant In 14 Games: 30.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 45.1 fg%, 39.6 3-PT.%

Allen Iverson In 14 Games: 29.8 PPG, 5.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, $0.0 FG%, 32.7 3-Pt.%

Jerry West In 24 Games: 29.3 PPG, 50.2 FG%

Jamal Murray (DEN) In 9 Games: 28.3 PPG, 5.8 APG, 5.2 RPG, 49.7 FG%, 44.8 3-Pt.%, 40.5 MPG

George Gervin In 14 Games: 27.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG 49.2 FG%

Elgin Baylor In 24 Games: 27.8 PPG, 13.3 RPG

Stephen Curry (GS) In 11 Games: 27.5 PPG, 7.2 APG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 37.6 3-PT.%

Dirk Nowitzki In 26 Games: 27.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 47.8FG%, 36.0 3-PT.%

Bob Pettit In 18 Games 26.9 PPG

Russell Westbrook (LAL) In 16 Games: 26.9 PPG, 8.9 APG, 9.4 RPG, 41.0 MPG

Nikola Jokic (DEN) 26.2 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 6.4 APG, 52.4 FG%, 37.6 MPG

Dinwiddie had 26 points (7/12 FGs) going 5/7 from three and 7/9 at the foul line with two blocks shots. Finney-Smith had 13 points and two steals. 

Mavericks Field                     2-Pt Field Goals                     3-Pt. Field Goals
Goals In 2022                                     20               Gm 1                    11
West Finals                                        16               Gm 2                    21
                                                            17               Gm 3                    13
                                                            21               Gm 4                    20
                                                            20               Gm 5                    17

Coming into this offseason, the Mavericks had two objectives. Improved the roster with the limited resources in their war chest and try to bring back Brunson in free agency.

Everyone, especially those in “Big D” knew that Brunson was destined to join the Knicks because his father Rick is now an assistant on Head Coach Tom Thibodeau’s coaching staff. Coach Thibodeau has known Brunson was just a baby and so has former agent and now Knicks President Leon Rose.

The problem is that the Mavericks lost Brunson for nothing and he was as mentioned earlier a real solid compliment to Doncic a season ago.

The good news is that Mavericks can slide Dinwiddie, who rebounded after abysmal start in DC into Brunson’s spot or continue to bring him off the bench and slide Hardaway, Jr. in Brunson’s place like before.

Hardaway, Jr. said at Media Day on Sept. 26 that he “feels great.” Had an “awesome” summer because he was able to work on his game because his surgery and rehab went well.

“Just embraced all of that going into the summer. Now I’m completely 100 percent healthy ready to go,” Hardaway, Jr. said. “I do think they are getting a different player. A new player.”

“All I can say is that I’m excited and I’m very happy to be able to go out and compete and go out and give my all the whole entire year.”

Hardaway, Jr. returning to form pre foot fracture and Dinwiddie now two years removed from a partial torn right ACL will be extremely important because behind them at the wing position is the aforementioned Bullock and Finney-Smith, Green, reserve guard Frank Ntilikina, Josh Green, and rookie Jaden Hardy.

In a draft night deal with the Kings, the Mavericks  acquired the draft rights to Hardy, the No. 37 overall pick from the NBA’s G League Ignite brings versatility on both ends.

He was a projected First Round pick but fell to the Second Round because of his inaccurate shooting in 2021-22 with the Ignite at 35 percent a season ago. Also, he is just turned 20 and his chances of leap frogging Hardaway, Jr. and Dinwiddie on the depth chart are slim to none.

Dinwiddie at Media Day said that he doesn’t really see himself “filling” the role Brunson had for the team a season ago.

“For me, I mean, it’s going to be go out there and make plays,” Dinwiddie said of his role this upcoming season. “Remember J. Kidd last year said, ‘Get the ball to Luka, J.B. [Brunson] and Spencer and let them make plays,’ and everybody else do their job.”

“I think now obviously volume goes up. But mentality doesn’t necessarily change. There were a lot of games I finished games. There are games I played without Luka. Without J.B. where I started as well. So, in terms of mentality, green means go. Go make plays. Try to win the game.  

After the smackdown the Warriors put on the Mavericks on the glass, particularly the offensive glass, the Mavericks knew they had to upgrade in the pivot. In a trade with the interstate rival Rockets, the Mavericks acquired center Christian Wood  (17.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 50.1 FG%, 39.0 3-Pt.% in 68 Games w/Rockets) for draft rights to forward Wendell Moore (No. 26 overall pick) out of Duke University; forward/guard Sterling Brown; forward/center Marquese Chriss; center Boban Marjanovic; and guard Trey Burke.

The Mavericks also signed veteran center JaVale McGee (9.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 15.8 mpg w/Suns), who registered 10 double-doubles in 2021-22 to a three-year, $20 million deal.

Wood on the surface is an upgrade over what they had in Powell and Bertans. The 26-year-old Wood is a 6-foot-9 combo forward who can score inside as well as make shots from deep, where he made 131 triples in 2021-22 (131/326 3-Pt.). He also is a solid rebounder and can be a decent rim protector. Wood registered a career-high 34 double-doubles.

While he put up solid numbers of 19.1 points and 9.9 boards in his two seasons with the Rockets, this will be the first time he will play on a team with expectations unlike in his previous brief stops with the 76ers, Hornets, and Bucks, before he got real playing time with the Pelicans (16.9 ppg, in 8 games in 2018-19), Pistons and aforementioned Rockets.

Last season was the first time Wood, whose averaged in 222 career NBA games (122 starts) 14.2 points and 7.3 boards on 51.9 percent from the field and 38.0 percent from three-point range in  became a full-time starter playing in a career-high 68 games.

“I mean, it’s a huge opportunity for me. Just finally being on a winning organization,” Wood said at Media Day on being dealt to the Mavericks. “If you look at my past career, I’ve been on a lot of losing teams. So, I have a huge opportunity to prove myself and do well on a winning team.”

“I mean, you lose a certain amount of times, you start getting motivated to win. And even when I was with Houston, main thing was to try to win as many games as possible. But, you know, thing didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. Guys wanted trades out and I was left by myself, and then the team wanted to go through a rebuild. So, I’m definitely more motivated than I was before because I want to win.”

Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the Mavericks for the first time in a long while have bonified scorer in the front court who can also protect the basket and rebound.

The other motivation for Wood is that he is entering the final year of a three-year, $41 million deal he signed in a sign-and-trade when he was dealt from the Pistons to the Rockets in Nov. 2020.

“I haven’t really looked into it that much,” Wood said about whether he starts or comes off the bench. “I’m motivated either way. Whether it’s off the bench or starting either way. It’s something I can figure out. It’s really worried about who's starting the game. I’m more concerned about who's finishing the game…. It’s something that most likely will happen in talks with extensions and talks with free agency. But during the season, it’s not going to get me off my pivot.”  

Along with having the youngster in Wood, the Mavericks have the veteran in the pivot in McGee, whose back for his second stint with the Mavericks and has been very productive in his recent stops with the Warriors (2016-18) where he won two titles and won another with the Lakers (2018-20) in the restart in Orlando, FL. McGee also has played with the Cavaliers (2020-21), Nuggets (2021) and last season with Suns (2021-22). McGee, who was drafted No. 18 overall by the Wizards in 2008 played for him his first four NBA seasons, before moving on to his first stint with Nuggets (2012-15) and then 76ers (2015) and then his first stint with Mavericks (2016-18), where he said at Media Day that he was battling his first major injury of his career, a stress fracture in his shin that he said he needed a couple of years to recover.   

       JaVale McGee Last Six Seasons          
Warriors (2016-18)  5.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG
Lakers     (2018-20)  9.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG
Cavaliers (2020-21)  8.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG
Nuggets   (2021)       5.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG
Suns         (2021-22) 9.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG

“It feels good,” McGee said at Media Day to be back with Mavericks. “I’m extremely excited for this season. The last time I was here I was recovering from an injury. Trying to get 100 percent. So, just being here and 100 percent healthy is beautiful.”

Regardless of who starts or comes off the bench, the Mavericks at all times will have a presence in the paint on both ends with Wood, McGee, as well as the three-point shooting of Bertans when the Mavericks go small or they can have Powell who is an excellent rim runner and rim roller.  

The Mavericks did make two major upgrades with the additions of Wood and McGee to got with the cast they have. The one question for the Mavericks is do they have a legitimate Robin to go alongside their Batman in Doncic?

They thought they had that in Porzingis, which turned out not to be the case. This is significant because until they find a co-star to go alongside Doncic that plays close to his level, the Mavericks will always be an impact player away from being a legitimate title contender.

Right now, Doncic has not expressed concern about not having enough around him to take the Mavericks to the top of the NBA mountain.

When asked about that on the Sept. 22 episode of ESPN’s “NBA Today” by host Malika Andrews about needing another All-Star to take the Mavericks to the championship, Doncic said, “no.”

The 23-year-old Slovenian added, “I think we have great players our team. There’s plenty very underrated guys that I think should be talked about more. So, I don’t think so. I think we have a great.”

During that interview with Andrews, Doncic gave some shine to Finney-Smith, who on Feb. 12 signed a four-year, $52 million extension saying that he works really hard. That he’s one of the better defenders in “The Association.” And that when he is open, especially from three-point range he is going to make that shot.

The other thing that Doncic touched on is his plans to keep his emotions in check and not get called for a league-leading 17 technical fouls like he did last season, though two of those techs were rescinded.

Doncic said that its “not really a bad look for him.” That it is “bad look for the whole team.” That he has to look to his teammates and “be better for them.”

Coach Kidd added to that saying on Media Day to NBATV’s Michael C. Wright, “For Luka, I think his leadership, his voice is going to continue to grow.”

“He’s not afraid of the moment. The stage can be big and I think  that’s when he delivers.”  

The Dallas Mavericks shocked the entire NBA with their magical carpet ride through the 2022 Playoffs reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time since winning their lone title in 2011.

It took their future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki 13 seasons and two cracks in the title round before leading the Mavericks to their first title with help from now aforementioned head coach Jason Kidd.

It took current Mavericks’ headliner Luka Doncic four seasons to get the Mavericks into position to compete for a chance at representing the Western Conference in The Finals.

They added two major pieces in Christian Wood and JaVale McGee via trade and free agency respectably over the summer and hope is they can help the Mavericks be an even more effective team on defense with their ability to rebound and protect the rim while also score in the paint and in the case of Wood be a deadly pick-and-pop shooter in the pick-and-roll with Doncic.

They did lose a major player for them in Jalen Brunson over the summer. The hope is that Spencer Dinwiddie and Tim Hardaway, Jr. by committee can make up Brunson’s production while also continuing to get consistent contributions from Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, Davis Bertans, Dwight Powell, and Reggie Bullock.

The Western Conference has gotten even more stacked. But the Mavericks feel up for the challenge and their star headliner and Hall of Fame head coach are ready to show that last year was just the starting point of them becoming a championship squad.

“Last year, no one had us going to the Western Conference Finals. And we were playing at a very high level. The expectations are going to be higher. Things will be a little different and how do you manage those expectations,” Coach Kidd said to Wright about the challenge of Mavericks becoming a title contender this season.”

Doncic told right about this upcoming season, “People have expectations. That’s a really good thing.”

“They believe we can make it. So, it’s a really good thing. But we just have to concentrate. You got to believe you can make it. You’ve got to believe in yourself. You’ve got to believe in the team and your teammates and I think that goes a long way.”

Best Case Scenario: Mavericks finish in the middle of the pack in the rugged Western Conference. Luka Doncic is a serious candidate to win his first Kia MVP. Wood and McGe impact the Mavericks in a major way on both ends of the hardwood. Either Hardaway, Jr. or Dinwiddie emerge as the Robin to Doncic as Batman. The Mavericks are back in the Western Conference Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Mavericks have to make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. Doncic continues to be the lone top offensive threat.They lose in the First Round of the Playoffs.  

Grade: B

Denver Nuggets: 48-34 (2^nd Northwest Division; No. 6 Seed in West; 23-18 at home; 25-16 on the road); Lost to the No. 3 Seeded Golden State Warriors 4-1 in West Quarterfinals.

-112.7 ppg-10^th; opp. ppg: 110.4-14^th; 44.1 rpg-17^th

In the previous three seasons, the Denver Nuggets finished in the Top 3 in the rugged and now even more stacked Western Conference. Two years ago, they reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2009 and fell to the eventual NBA champion from the Hollywood, CA. The previous season, they fell to the eventual Western Conference champions from the “Valley of the Sun.” Injuries to their top two scorers left a major offensive load on the reigning Kia MVP and he delivered in grand fashion to earn his second straight league MVP. His play though was not enough as the boys from “The Rockies” fell to the eventual NBA champions from the “Bay Area” in the opening-round in five games. With their two top scorers back, some solid additions via trade and free agency, and a really solid late round pick in 2022 Draft, the goals for the Denver Nuggets is to remain healthy and get back to the Western Conference Finals and reach The Finals.

The Denver Nuggets began 2021-22 9-10, which included a five-game losing streak (Nov. 15-29, 2021) and finished 2021 just 17-16. A five-game winning streak (Jan .23-Feb. 1) as part of an 11-5 run their first 16 games in 2021-22 got head coach Michael Malone’s squad back in line. Following a three-game losing streak (Feb. 1-4, 2022), the Nuggets really found their groove producing a 13-4 mark their next 17 games, which included a season-best six-game winning streak from (Feb. 12-27, 2022) and a four-game winning streak (Mar. 4-10, 2022). They went from Feb. 4 to the close of 2021-22 with a 20-10 mark. 

In years past when the Nuggets got on a role like this, it is usually their ability to win at a high clip at Ball Arena, where they went just 3-7 their final 10 home games of 2021-22. Last season, the Nuggets got back on track by finding their groove on the road going 14-5 their final 19 road games on their way to producing a single-season franchise record 25 road wins, which was also the fourth most in the league a season ago.

Nuggets Road Winning Streaks In 2021-22          
Three-Gamer: Dec. 26, 2021-Jan. 3, 2022
Four-Gamer: Jan. 23-Feb. 1
Six-Gamer: Feb. 12-Mar. 18

Nuggets Best Road Record By Winning Percentage In A Season In Their History
2020-21   22-14 Record    .611 Win%
2021-22   25-16 Record    .610 Win%
2019-20   20-16 Record    .556 Win%
2011-12   18-15 Record    .545 Win%
2006-07   22-19 Record    .537 Win%
2018-19   21-20 Record    .512 Win%

The Nuggets along with winning on the road took care of business in nail bitter games compiling a 23-17 mark in clutch games a season ago. Produced a solid 8-3 mark in games decided by three points or less and were 28-8 against teams under .500 last season.

The Nuggets got off to a slow start is they were without their sharp-shooting sparkplug in lead guard Jamal Murray, who has been out since Apr. 12, 2021 when he tore the ACL in his left knee in the 116-107 loss at the Warriors on ESPN. Counting last season, he has missed a total of 100 games.

Michael Porter, Jr (9.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg) missed all but nine games in 2021-22 due to lumbar spine surgery in December 2021.

That put all the offensive responsibility on the shoulders of reigning Kia MVP Nikola Jokic and he responded in a major way with career-highs in scoring (27.1 ppg: 6^th NBA) and rebounding (13.8: 2^nd NBA) and averaged the second most assists in his NBA career (7.9: 6^th NBA) on 58.3 percent from the field. He became the first player in NBA history to lead their team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage.  

Jokic 66 games scoring 20-plus points, led the NBA in 2021-22. He registered 22 30-plus point games last season, fell one short of his total from a season ago at 22, which was on the heels of him totaling 30 such games his first five NBA seasons. Jokic also registered three games scoring 40-plus points after five total such games in 2020-21, which fell one short of the total such games he had entering the previous season of four total 40-plus point games (2016-2020). 

20-Point Games By Season For Nikola Jokic
2015-16: 5   Games    2019-20: 39 Games
2016-17: 25 Games    2020-21: 55 Games
2017-18: 31 Games    2021-22: 66 Games
2018-19: 45 Games

Jokic led the league with 66 double-doubles in 2021-22 and 19 triple-doubles, which also set single-season franchise records. Jokic has registered 76 career triple-doubles in his career. Only the late Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlin has more triple-doubles by a center in NBA history than the 76 by Jokic. He became the first player in NBA history to average over 25 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in a season. Was the only player to finish in Top 10 in points, rebounds, and assists in 2021-22.

That is how he became back-to-back league MVP, joining the Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo as the two European players in NBA history to earn multiple Kia MVPs.

Jokic made the All-NBA First Team for the third time in his career (2019, 2021; All-NBA Second Team in 2020) and earned his fourth straight All-Star selection, the first player to do that in Nuggets history and his three First Team selection surpassed Hall of Famer David Thompson for most in Nuggets history.

                       Players To Win Back-to-Back Kia MVP In NBA History                                    
Bill Russell: 1966-68                                        Michael Jordan: 1991-92
Wilt Chamberlin: 1961-63                              Tim Duncan: 2002-03
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 1971-72, 1976-77     Steve Nash: 2005-06
Moses Malone: 1981-82                                   LeBron James (LAL): 2009-10 w/Cavaliers
Larry Bird: 1984-86                                         2012-13 w/Heat
Earvin “Magic” Johnson: 1989-90                 Stephen Curry (GS) 2015-16
                                                                           Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): 2019-20 
                                                                           Nikola Jokic (DEN) 2021-22

He earned Western Conference Player of the Wek (Jan. 16-22) with averages of 36.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 10.0 assists, registering three triple-doubles in that span in leading the Nuggets to a 2-1 mark. It was his 10^th Player of the Week honor of his career, tied a Nuggets record.

The 2016 All-Rookie selection last season had a strong of three consecutive triple-doubles (Dec. 6-11, 2021) for the second time in his career (Feb. 13-23, 2018) and had four consecutive triple-doubles (Jan. 15-23). He registered six of his 15 career games with 20-plus points, 15-plus rebounds, and 10-plus assists in 2021-22.  

          NBA All-Time Leaders in Triple Doubles: Top 10            
Russell Westbrook (LAL): 194        Wilt Chamberlin: 78
Oscar Robertson: 181                       Nikola Jokic (DEN): 76
Earvin “Magic” Johnson: 138         James Harden (PHI): 69
Jason Kidd: 107                                Larry Bird: 59
LeBron James (LAL): 105               Luka Doncic (DAL): 46

Jokic’s 3,281 career assists is No. 8 all-time among NBA Centers.

          Most Career Triple-Doubles By Centers NBA History                  
Wilt Chamberlin: 78                         David Robinson: 14
Nikola Jokic (DEN): 76                    Hakeem Olajuwon: 14
Kareem Abdul Jabbar: 21               Alvin Adams: 12
Bill Russell: 17                                   Dikembe Mutombo: 10

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
Nikola Jokic (DEN: 2021-22) at 7.9
Wilt Chamberlin (1966-67) at 7.8
Nikola Jokic (DEN; 2018-19) at 7.3
Nikola Jokic (DEN; 2019-20) at 7.0
Domantas Sabonis (SAC; 2020-21 w/Pacers) at 6.7 

Jokic in 2021-22 totaled four games with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. He had four total such games (2018-21), with two of those four games coming in 2018-19

                    Jokic’s 20-Point 20-Rebound Games In 2021-22                                          
12/23/2021 115-107 Loss at Hornets: 29 Pts, 21 Rebs, 5 Asts 13/34 FGs
12/26/2021 103-100 Win at Clippers: 26 Pts, 22 Rebs, 8 Asts, 2 Stls, 2 Blks
1/5/2022 115-109 Loss vs. Jazz (ESPN): 26 Pts, 21 Rebs, 11 Asts, 2 Blks, 10/17 FGs
1/25/2022 110-105 Win at Pistons: 28 Pts, 21 Rebs, 9 Asts, 9/20 FGs: 3/8 3-Pt.

In the Nuggets 117-109 victory Mar. 16 at Wizards when Jokic had 29 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists, he became the second fastest player in NBA history to register 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, and 3,000 career assists in 516 career games, with Hall of Famer Larry Bird doing in a shorter period of time by one less game at 515.

Jokic also became the first player in NBA history with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single-season, registering 2,004 points, 1,019 rebounds, and 584 assists in 2021-22.

                        Other Superlatives By Nikola Jokic 2021-22                                            
12/6/2021: 109-107 Loss at Bulls: 60^th career triple-double passed Hall of Famer
Bird into No. 8 on the all-time list (17 Pts, 11 Rebs, 15 Asts.)

12/21/2021: 103-100 at Clippers: 26 Pts, 21 Rebs (tied career-high), 8 Asts, 2 Stls
2 Blks: First player since Hall of Famer Charles Barkley in 1988 with consecutive
games with 25-Plus Pts, 20-Plus Rebs, and 5-Plus Asts.

1/5/2022: 115-109 Loss versus Jazz, 26 Pts, 21 Rebs, 11 Asts: Became only player since
1980 to record multiple games of 25 Pts, 20 Rebs, 11 Asts.

1/19/2022: 130-128 Win OT vs. Clippers on ESPN: 49 Pts: Season-High, 14 Rebs, 10 Asts,
3 Stls, 16/25 FGs: 3/5 3-Pt., 14/16 FTs: 67^th Career Triple-Double.

1/25/2022: 110-105 Win at Pistons: 28 Pts, 21 Rebs, 9 Asts: Became only player in NBA History to register 5,000 Rebounds and 3,000 assists totals with his first 500 career games.

1/30/2022: 136-100 Win at Bucks: 18 Pts, 10 Rebs, 15 Asts (In 3 Quarters): 70^th Career
Triple-Doubles.

Jan. 2022: 26.6 Pts, 13.3 Rebs, 9.0 Asts. 60.1 FG%, 43.1 3-Pt.% earned Western Conference Player of the Month for 3^rd time in his career, tied Carmelo Anthony
and Hall of Famer Alex English for the most in Nuggets history.

Jan. 2022: Had 7 Triple-Doubles joined Lakers’ Russell Westbrook, Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, the late Wilt Chamberlin, and Michael Jordan as five players in NBA history to register 7 triple-doubles or more in a single-month.

2/6/2022: 124-104 Win versus Nets: 27 Pts, 12 Rebs, 10 Asts, 2 Stls, 12/15 FGs: 71^st career triple-double, only Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson (151), and Earvin “Magic” Johnson had more triple-doubles through their first 500 career games

2/11/2022: 108-102 Loss at Celtics: 23 Pts, 16 Rebs, 11 Asts: Became just 5^th player in NBA history with 15 or more triple-doubles in multiple seasons.

3/6/2022: 138-130 Win In OT at Pelicans: scored 30 of his 46 Points in fourth quarter and
overtime: 46 Pts, 12 Rebs, 11 Asts, 3 Stls, 4 Blks, 16/22 FGs: 3/5 3-Pt., 11/12 FTs: joined late Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlin as only two players in NBA history with a 45-Point
Triple-Double on 70 FG% in same game.

3/7/2022: 131-124 Win versus Warriors: 32 Pts, 15 Rebs, 13 Asts, 12/17 FGs: 75^th career Triple-Doubles.

3/26/2022: 113-107 Win Versus Thunder: 35 Pts, 12 Rebs, 8 Asts, 2 Stls, 2 Blks, 13/15 FGs
9/10 FTs: Second player NBA history joining Chamberlin with joined Chamberlin with 3 or more care games with 35/10/5 (Points/Rebounds/Assists) on 85 percent shooting.  

Apr. 2022: named Western Conference Player of the Month for 2^nd Time in 2021-22 and for 4^th Time in his career, surpassing Carmelo Anthony, and Hall of Famer Alex English for most such honors in Nuggets history.  

As great as Jokic was in 2021-22, the rest of the Nuggets played well in their roles.  

Aaron Gordon (15.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 52.0 FG%), since he was acquired from the Magic a season ago has played more of a secondary role offensively and become the Nuggets primary defender to slow down the opposing team’s best offensive player.

Though when he was called upon to score big, he showed some flashes as he compiled 19 games with 20 plus points as season ago as well as six double-doubles. Gordon produced seven 20-plus points in the Nuggets last 11 games of 2021-22. 

                       20-Point Games By Aaron Gordon By Season                               
2015-16 w/Magic:   5 Games            2019-20 w/Magic: 14 Games
2016-17 w/Magic: 12 Games            2020/21 w/Magic & Nuggets: 5 Games
2017-18 w/Magic: 16 Games            2021-22 w/Nuggets: 19 Games        
2018-19 w/Magic: 24 Games

With the injury specifically to Murray, the Nuggets late First Round pick from the 2021 Draft out of VCU Na’Shon “Bones” Hyland (10.1 ppg, 36.6 3-Pt.%) a chance and he really shined in making the 2021-22 All-Rookie Second Team.

In the Nuggets 133-96 win over the Lakers Jan. 15 on NBATV, 2021-22 All-Rookie Second Team selection came off the bench to register his lone double-double of his rookie season with a season-high 27 points and 10 rebounds with two steals (8/15 FGs) going 6/10 from three in 33 minutes.

Most Made Three-Pointers By A Rookie In A Season In Nuggets History
                                                            Season            3-Pt. Made
Na’Shon “Bones” Hyland               2021-22                  131
Jamal Murray                                  2016-17                  115
James Posey                                     1999-00                    82
Facundo Campazzo                        2020-21                    76
Emmanuel Mudiay                         2015-16                    74
Carmelo Anthony                           2003-04                    69
Michael Porter, Jr.                          2019-20                    62

Nuggets Players To Make The All-Rookie Team Since 1991-92
Na’Shon “Bone” Hyland  2021-22       Second Team
Jamal Murray                   2016-17       Second Team
Nikola Jokic                      2015-16       First Team
Emmanuel Mudiay          2015-16        Second Team
Nikola Mirotic                  2014-15        First Team
Jusuf Nurkic                     2014-15        Second Team
Kenneth Faried                2011-12        First Team
Carmelo Anthony            2003-04        First Team
Nene Hilario                     2002-03        First Team
James Posey                     1999-00        Second Team
Bobby Jackson                 1997-98        Second Team
Antonio McDyess             1995-96       First Team
Jalen Rose                        1994-95        Second Team
LaPhonso Ellis                 1992-93        First Team
Dikembe Mutombo         1991-92        First Team
Mark Macon                    1991-92

The Nuggets in a three-team deal on Jan. 19 with the Celtics and Spurs, the Nuggets acquired guard Bryn Forbes, sending to the Celtics center Bol Bol and guard P.J. Dozier, and sending to the Spurs a 2028 Second Round pick and cash considerations.

Forbes was brought in to improve the Nuggets’ marksmanship from three-point range, which really did not improve much with his arrival as the Nuggets while they ranked second in “The Association” on overall shooting percentage at 48.3 percent, were just in the middle of the pack in threes made at 12.7 (14^th NBA). Their 35.9 threes attempted was No. 13 in league; and their 35.3 percentage from three was No. 16 in NBA.

The other issue for the Nuggets was while they ranked No. 8 in free throw percentage in the NBA in 2021-22, they ranked just No. 23 in free throw attempts at 21 per contest. That with the career-high 6.3 free throw attempts by Jokic in 2021-22.  

The Nuggets also turned the ball over 13.8 times per contest in 2021-22, No. 27 in the NBA.

When the Nuggets had fewer turnovers than their opponents were 22-5 a season ago. But were 26-29 when they had more turnovers than their opponent.

The Nuggets on Jan. 21 signed All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins to the first of three 10-day contracts and was signed for the remainder of the season on Feb. 25. 

In Nuggets 116-101 win versus the Rockets, Cousins had 31 points, nine rebounds, and three steals on 10/14 shooting, going 3/4 from three and 8/9 at the foul line in 24 minutes. It was the fewest minutes by a player to score 30 in Nuggets history and third fewest minutes in a 30-point game in Cousin’s career and his third career 30-point game in 35 minutes or fewer. He equaled late forward and guard Freeman Williams for most such points in 24-Second shot clock era (1954-55).

Nuggets went 22-8 when Cousins played in 2021-22.

The Nuggets opened their First-Round series with a 123-107 loss Apr. 16 at Warriors on ABC, who led by as many as six in the first period. After leading 27-26 after first quarter. But were outscored 55-43 the middle two quarters and trailed by as many as 24 points

Nuggets shot 46.2 percent from the floor (43/93 FGs) but shot just 11/35 from three.

Jokic 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals on 12/25 shooting.

Nuggets dropped Game 2 126-106 Apr. 18 on TNT to trail the series 2-0 as they led again 26-25 after the opening period and were up 43-31 with 7:25 left in the second quarter before Warriors closed the first half on a 27-8 run to lead 58-51 at half. Nuggets were outscored 69-55 in second half, including 44-30 in third quarter, and trailing by as many as 23 points.

Nuggets outrebounded Warriors 47-35 in Game 2, including 17-6 on the offensive glass after being outrebounded 41-35 and 10-9 on the offensive glass in Game 1. Nuggets outscored Warriors 26-11 in second chance points.

Nuggets lost six straight Playoff games dating to their four-game sweep in 2021 West Semis to Suns.

Jokic in defeat had 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two block shots on 9/20 shooting (0/4 3-Pt.), 8/8 at the foul line.

Nuggets dropped Game 3 at home versus Warriors 118-113 Apr. 21 on TNT, to trail the series 3-0.

They overcame a 12-point deficit in second quarter, and were down 69-59 at half, outscored Warriors 30-18 in the third quarter to lead 89-87 after three quarters. But the Warriors outscored the Nuggets 31-24 in the fourth quarter.

Nuggets shot 50 percent in Game 3 (40/80 FGs) with 25 assists on their 40 made field goals. But shot just 11/26 from three and had 18 turnovers that led to 19 Warriors points.

Nuggets outrebounded Warriors 44-30 including 11-4 on offensive glass. Outscored Warriors 30-18 in third quarter as well as outrebounded them 14-4 in the period. Nuggets shot 11/20 shooting, including 3/7 on their threes.

Jokic had 37 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, two steals on 14/22 shooting, including 2/3 3-Pt. (0/8 3-Pt. first two games of series), 7/9 at the foul line. Gordon had 18 points and 12 rebounds

Jokic and his 20^th career 25/10 (Points/Rebound) game in the postseason since 2019, second most in the NBA Playoffs.

Nuggets In                  Regular Season                      First Two Games of Series
2^nd Quarter                       29.6                PPG                         22.5
                                            49%               FG%                       38%
                                            37%               3-Pt.                         21%
                                           +1.8               Pt. Diff.                     -9.5

Nuggets Point            Gm 1: -12 (32-20)
Differential In            Gm 2: -7 (32-25)
2^nd Quarter In           Gm 3: -8 (35-27) shot 11/22 in 2^nd Quarter (50 FG%) 3/6 3-Pt.
Series so far  

Nuggets avoided getting swept winning versus Warriors 126-121 Apr. 24 on ABC, now trail series 3-1 behind a 24-point turnaround going from down by as many as seven early to lead by as many as 17 points early in second quarter and led 63-52 at half. Warriors battled back to tie it at 121-121 and Nuggets broke the tie with a jumper moments later and a steal to seal the win.

Nuggets shot 56.2 percent from the field in Game 4 (41/73 FGs), 15/31 from three and 29/36 at foul line. They registered 28 assists on 41 made shots. They outscored Warriors 15-11 in fastbreak points and turned 17 Warriors turnovers in 30 points.

Jokic had 37 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on 14/21 shooting, including 3/5 from three. Gordon had 21 points and six rebounds on 10/13 at the foul line. Hyland had 15 points and seven assists, going 3/6 from three.

Jokic had his sixth 35-plus point game of his postseason career and had his eighth career 35/5/5 (points/rebounds/assists), most in Nuggets history. The rest of Nuggets has seven such games in their Playoff history.

Nuggets snapped their seven-game losing streak in the postseason dating back to 2021 West Semifinals.

Final 1:10 of                   GS                DEN
Game 4 with                     0      Pts          7
Warriors up 121-119      0/3    FGs       3/3
                                          0/2   3-Pt.       1/1
                                           0     Asts         2

Nuggets were up after three quarters. But were outscored by 12 points in the final period in falling 102-98 in Game 5 to lose the series 4-1.

Nuggets overcame a seven-point deficit early in the first half outscoring the Warriors 53-40 the middle two quarters after trailing 30-25 after first quarter to tie it 48-48 at half. Nuggets led 66-56 in third quarter and led 78-70 after three quarters, closing period on 10-3 run. Jokic, who had 12 of the Nuggets 20 fourth quarter points the final 3:46 of the period to tie it 90-90 on a 10-foot jumper by Jokic with 2:26 left in fourth period. The Warriors closed game on a 12-8 run and outscored Nuggets 32-20 in the final period.

Jokic in defeat had 30 points, 19 rebounds, eight assists, and two block shots on 12/18 shooting. Gordon had 15 points and eight boards.

Nuggets fell to 0-11 all-time when trailing a best-of-seven series 2-0. Failed to join the Raptors of this postseason and the 2015 Bucks to win Games 4 and 5 of a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-0.

The Nuggets also fell to 3-3 in the postseason under Coach Malone when they fail to win Game 1 of a series.

For the Nuggets, this offseason was about getting Murry and Porter, Jr. healthy and ready to rock-and-roll for the 2022-23 season. The Nuggets also spent the offseason upgrading the roster while also rewarding their back-to-back MVP. They also said goodbye to a key figure in their front office that put this Nuggets roster together in recent years.

On July 8, the Nuggets officially signed Jokic to a five-year, $264 million supermax extension, the richest deal in NBA history. The deal also includes a player option where he the Serbian native could make roughly $60 million.

“The Joker” Jokic is affectionately called new deal begins in 2023-24 and will keep him with the Nuggets through the 2027-28 season.

Jokic, 27 is worth every penny as he has risen to being a four-time All-Star selection and has stayed at the level of play. Won back-to-back MVPs, the 13^th player to do that in NBA history and has a real chance entering this season to join Hall of Famers in the late Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlin, and Larry Bird who have won three straight league MVPs.

There are very few weaknesses in Jokic’s game. The 7-footer has exceptional court vision, ability to find his open teammates, can dribble, shoot, play in space, on the box, is a solid defender in space and at the rim. He has it all and his play particularly last season is why the Nuggets nearly reached 50 wins with all their injuries.

That is how far Jokic, who was drafted No. 41 overall in 2014 has come, where he said over the summer in a Zoom presser that he “was sleeping” when he got drafted as he was in his homeland of Serbia.

Jokic, who played in EuroBasket this summer said he good to go for the start of this season 

Getting Jokic in the 2014 Draft in the position they did as well as putting together the roster they have is in large part due to the amazing work of Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, who along with the Nuggets front office drafted and signed to the roster players that two seasons back helped the Nuggets reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 12 years then and in the three previous seasons reached at least the West Semis. Connelly departed this offseason to join the front office of the Timberwolves.

Connelly’s assistant Calvin Booth was promoted in early July to replace Connelly on a multiyear deal through the 2024-24 season. Booth, 44 who has been the Assistant GM since summer of 2017 after spending four seasons (2013-17) ironically enough in the front office of the Timberwolves, initially as a scout before he rose through their ranks to become Director of Player Personnel. Booth before coming to Minnesota was a scout for the Pelicans.

Booth also played for Wizards (twice), Mavericks (twice), then Seattle Supersonics, Bucks, 76ers, Timberwolves, and Kings in his 10-year NBA career (1999-2009) before his journey as a front office executive. 

“Calvin is one of the brightest minds in our league,” Connelly said in early July. “We are very fortunate to have him as part of our organization and are extremely excited for his new role.”

The man who played an integral role in the Nuggets scouting and drafting the likes of guard Monte Morris, Porter, Jr., Bol Bol, and forward Vlatko Cancar was very proactive again in trying to add more to the Nuggets roster.

In this June’s draft, the Nuggets selected guard/forward Christian Braun (14.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 38 3-Pt.% w/Jayhawks) out of the reigning NCAA National champion University of Kansas Jayhawks. In a draft night trade, the Nuggets acquired the draft rights to forward/guard Peyton Watson (No. 30 overall pick) out of UCLA and a 2023 and 2024 Second Round picks in exchange for veteran forward JaMychal Green and a 2027 protected First-Round pick.

That deal gave the Nuggets financial flexibility of $6.4 million to use as their tax mid-level exception or an $8.2 million trade exception during the offseason.  

In a deal on July 6 with the Trail Blazers, the Nuggets acquired the draft rights to center Ismael Kamagate (No. 46 overall pick) from Paris, France.

Braun brings good size at 6-foot-6, a high motor, is a solid defender and an all-around player who has solid court vision. The only weakness he has is his ability to consistently strike a match from the perimeter.

He has also been a winner having led Valley Northwest High (Kansas) to three straight state titles and helping head coach Bill Self and Jayhawks to the NCAA title last April.

“A competitor, toughness. A guy that knows how to play and his ceiling is still way up there,” Coach Self said to ESPN’s Monica McNutt on draft night of June 23 on what the Nuggets are getting in Braun.

With the Nuggets crowded backcourt and the fact that they are coming into this season to win a title, it is unlikely that Braun would get any real playing time unless he makes a real good impression out the gate.

A big reason for that in a deal with the Wizards, the Nuggets acquired veteran guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (13.2 ppg, 43.5 FG%, 38.5 3-Pt.% w/Wizards) and the well-traveled Ish Smith (6.5 ppg, 3.8 apg, 37.3 3-Pt.% in 65 total games w/Hornets & Wizards) in exchange for reserve guard Morris and forward Will Barton.

In saying goodbye to two reliable players the Nuggets had in recent years, in Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets added one of the toughest perimeter defenders in the league who can also shoot the three at a very efficient clip.

When Caldwell-Pope made three or more triples with the Wizards last season, they were 19-11 and when he made two or less threes, they were just 14-31.

He also brings championship level experience as he helped the Lakers in the 2020 restart win title No. 17 in franchise history.

With Murray coming back after 105 days out because of torn ACL, the guy affectionately called KCP while with the Wizards will be defending some of the premiere wing scorers in the league this season.  

That is one of the main reasons that the Nuggets signed Caldwell-Pope to a two-year, $13 million extension, with the second year of the deal as a player option.

At Summer League in Las Vegas back on July 12 that if his former teammate Anthony Davis did not hit the game-winning three to win Game 2 for the Nuggets in the 2020 West Finals that the Lakers might have lost the series and there would be no 17^th title.

“That’s what I think about this Denver team,” Caldwell-Pope added about the Nuggets. “They’re scrappy. Just seeing them like fight. They played against the Clippers fight back which just shows a lot. I’m just ready.”

When Smith plays his first game for the Nuggets this season, he will set the NBA record for playing for the most team in one’s career in NBA history, surpassing record shared by former NBA forwards Chucky Brown, Tony Massenburg, now NBATV and Clippers color as well as Turner Sports color analyst Jim Jackson and Joe Smith at 12.

Speaking of well-traveled players, Jeff Green (10.3 ppg, 52.4 FG%), who started 63 of 75 games for the Nuggets a season ago exercised his $4.5 million player option for this season. 

The 36-year-old Green will be with the same team for the first time since a four-year stint with the Celtics (2011-15). Throughout his career first with the Seattle Supersonics/Thunder (2007-11), the Celtics as just mentioned, Grizzlies (2015-16), Clippers (2016), Magic (2017), Cavaliers (2017-18), Wizards (2018-19), Jazz (2019), Rockets (2020), Nets (2020-21) has been reliable, steady, and a contributor on both ends at both small forward and power forward.

Smith since going undrafted in 2010 has played for the Rockets, Grizzlies, Warriors, Magic, Bucks, Suns, Thunder, 76ers (twice), Pelicans, Pistons, Wizards (twice), Hornets, and now Nuggets. He brings the ability to speed the game up with his ability to change ends at the drop of a hat. Also, he has played on a lot of Playoff teams and will a good spot person for Murray.

“For me, when you’ve been moved so many times, you never trip about anything,” Smith said at Media Day on Sept. 26 about playing for so many teams in his NBA career. “It has calm down for me. But for me, I never get too high or too low. So, I was excited about coming out here do Denver.”

The Nuggets also in adding to their bench signed in free agency veteran DeAndre Jordan, who played 48 total games last season with the Lakers and 76ers to a one-year, $1.8 million deal officially on July 12 and forward Bruce Brown (9.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 50.6 FG% w/Nets).

Green, who played with Jordan with Nets in 2020-21 said at Media Day that being “vets” having been through the “ringer” of an NBA season on a team with championship expectations.

“We understand what it takes as a team to get to a level where we want to be. And we understand it takes everybody and we know how to galvanize everybody in the locker room. How to bring each other together,” Green added. “So, with our relationship on the court and how we are and how we keep the locker room lose I think its great. Between us two we can do that, and I think it’ll help in the long run.”  

Nuggets also re-signed this summer Cancar to a three-year deal, $6.8 million deal, and guard Devon Reed to a two-year deal, $3.9 million deal.

With the new additions coupled with the likes of the players coming back, the Nuggets have a deep squad and should have one of the most productive benches in the NBA.

The other hope is with the new additions and the chemistry that hopes to be built with the returning players will make the Nuggets better defensively.

Outside of being a solid team that defended the three well, ranking No. 9 in rebounding differential at +1.7 and No. 10 in opponent’s shooting percentage (34.6 3-Pt.%) and in opponent’s made threes (11.8), the Nuggets were No. 21 in opponent’s field goal percentage (47.0).

Coach Malone said at Media Day that the goal he set for his team for 2022-23 is to be a “Top 5” defense. That there is a “direct correlation” to play at a high level defensively and winning.

“Change is inevitable in this business,” Coach Malone said of the team’s eight new additions. “I’m really excited about the guys that we brought in and I think they understand the opportunity that we have now that we’re somewhat healthy and continue to stay healthy and continue to stay healthy to be a much-improved defensive team. Which will help us go from a 48-win team to a team that can have home court in the First-Round and ultimately hopefully win a championship.”   

Coach Malone flanked by Booth also said after last season that they needed to add more versatility and bigger. Adding players that can help the Nuggets win the West as well as make the Nuggets a more consistent defensive team.

Malone at Media Day said that Caldwell-Pope “will help right away.” That the pickup of Brown was a major pickup. Jordan addition will bring veteran leadership and be a “shot changer at the rim.”

“Through the draft. Through free agency. Through trades, I think Calvin has addressed from our conversations the importance to add players that can aide in allowing those things to happen. And it starts on the defensive end of the floor.”

Coach Malone added that in order for the Nuggets to a better defensively, they need Jokic to play at an even higher level at that end of the court as well as improve as a three-point shooter and continuing to be comfortable being a leader through his words along with his actions on the hardwood.

“Everybody is just waiting for him to say something and when he does, it has profound impact,” Coach Malone said about Jokic’s evolution as a leader. “He’s not one of those guys that’s saying something all the time that you tune out. When he says something, it’s important.”

The Nuggets success this season in terms of making serious noise in the postseason all depends on the health of Murray and Porter, Jr.

In the 2020 Playoffs in the restart in Orlando, FL, Murray was one of the best players on the hardwood that spring averaging 26.5 points in helping the Nuggets overcome a 3-1 series deficit twice to defeat the Jazz in the opening-round and then the mighty Clippers in the Semis in seven games each.

Before going down with the torn ACL as mentioned in late Apr. 2021, Murray was averaging 21.2 points in the 48 games he played.

Murray proved he is a certified scorer who can take over games with his ability to make threes in bunches and is anxious to return and throw up more blue arrows after each made three.

At Media Day, Murray said that he is “way better” than where he was a season ago in his rehab of his ACL. That he has “been taking it one day at a time” and that he is on the “right track.”

Murray added that maybe the toughest part of him coming back this season will be playing in the back-to-backs. Whether he plays on the front end or back end of those games is to be determined.

“I might be able to play. I might be able to play both,” Murray said about playing in back-to-backs this offseason.

The other concern is Porter, Jr. back, which has been an issue since he was drafted in 2018. His lower back problems, which eventually led to surgery derailed his first rookie season and as mentioned shelved him for all but nine games in 2021-22.

When Porter, Jr. has been healthy, he has displayed an ability to just light up the score board, especially from three-point range.

In the Nuggets run to the West Finals in as mentioned 2020, the No. 14 overall pick out of the University of Missouri averaged 11.4 points and in 2020-21 averaged 19 points on 54.2 percent from the floor and 44.5 3-Pt.%.

The other reason the Nuggets hope Porter, Jr. comes back healthy is they signed him to a five-year, $172 million rookie extension in late September 2021.

Over the summer, the signals were very murky about Porter, Jr.’s health and that in the early portion of this upcoming season he will have a minute’s restriction.

“I mean, injuries it just takes time I would just say have joy in the game again. No soreness or anything afterwards. Everyone who goes through an injury has that process where they just have got back to where they’re supposed,” Porter, Jr. said about his rehab of his back.

“So, that’s the process that I went through a couple of times now. It’s good to be on the other side of it. It’s perfect timing. I’m here now and I don’t have any limitations.”

However, Porter, Jr. over the summer played some pick-up games with the Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving showing that he is primed for a big season, which is good news for the Nuggets.  

The other thing the Nuggets have solid sideline leader in Coach Malone who connects well with his players, particularly his stars in Jokic, Murray, and Porter, Jr. He can be honest with them to where he they see what he says is in their best interest like about his team’s approach to this offseason.

Coach Malone said the team had their conditioning test on Sept. 22 and every player passed. How Gordon had the entire team over home where they worked out in his gym. Afterwards the entire went to play paint ball.

The point of that Malone said was that the Nuggets have a “tremendous group of leaders.” A team that has guys not afraid to be vocal and guys that are “really connected.”

That when Malone sent a message about the team being in Denver in September it was not just about building a connection on the court but being able to have a connectivity off the court.

“When you’re trying to integrate eight new players to a returning core, it also has to be getting to know your teammate. Getting to care about your teammate and spending time with them off the court” Malone said. “So, there definitely is a very positive feel to our group. Not speaking about basketball at all. Just about personalities, leadership, togetherness and right now everything is great.”   

Over the past four seasons, the Nuggets have had their season conclude at the hands of either the eventual NBA champion, or that season’s runner-up in The Finals or in the case o the Trail Blazers in 2019 the West runner-up.

They went into this offseason with the mentality to upgrade their roster to surround their star center and back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic with talent that can get them over the hump. They did that with the addition of via trade and free agency in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ish Smith, DeAndre Jordan, Bruce Brown, and Christian Braun. They re-signed Jeff Green, Vlatko Cancar, and Davon Reed.

With the return of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter, Jr., the Nuggets have the ingredients and the chemistry to be a serious threat in the West. For them it comes down to health and being better defensively because they have enough fire power to rock-and-roll with any team offensively.

“I just want to be the best version of ourselves,” Coach Malone said about this upcoming season for the Nuggets. “We’re not worried about the rest of Western Conference. What I’m worried about is can we be a better team tomorrow than we were today. Get better every single day and the rest will take care of itself.”

Best Case Scenario: The Nuggets finish as a Top 3 Seed Again. Jokic is a serious contender for his third straight Kia MVP. Murray returns to form around late February. The Nuggets have a Top 10 defense. They are in the Western Conference Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Nuggets finish in the middle of the pack of the stacked Western Conference. Murray has more struggles in his comeback. The Nuggets defense continues to struggle. They have another opening-round exit.

Grade: A

Golden State Warriors: 53-29 (2^nd Pacific Division; No. 3 Seed in West; 31-10 at home 25; 22-19 on the road); Defeated the No. 6 Seeded Denver Nuggets 4-1 in West Quarterfinals; Defeated the No. 2 Seeded Memphis Grizzlies 4-2 in West Semifinals; Defeated the No. 4 Seeded Mavericks 4-1 in Western Conference Finals; Defeated the No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics 4-2 in 2022 NBA Finals.   

-111.0 ppg-15^th; opp. ppg: 105.5-3^rd; 45.5 rpg-7^th  

Injuries two the “Splash Brothers backcourt” in 2019-20 kept the Golden State Warriors out of the Playoffs for the first time since 2012. Going 0-2 in the inaugural Play-In Tournament two seasons back kept them out of the Playoffs for a second straight season. With the return of the “Splash Brothers,” coupled with the other part of their “Core Three” coupled with the youngsters they were able to draft and veteran cast that aided in the mission, the Warriors again ruled the West and won their fourth title in nearly decade. With the crucial members of the Warriors title team last season back intact, with a chance for the young parts to establish roles in the rotation, the goal for the Warriors to win a second straight title and one for the thumb.

The Warriors went 27-7 in the 2021 portion of last season behind winning streaks of four games (Oct. 19-26, 2021); seven games (Oct. 30, 2021-Nov. 14, 2021; Nov. 16, 2021-Nov. 30, 2021); and two three gamers (Dec. 13-17, 2021; Dec. 20-28, 2021).

A season-high nine-game winning streak (Jan 21-Feb. 9, 2022) had the Warriors at 28 games above .500 at 41-13. D

Head Coach Steve Kerr in the Warriors in his team’s 111-107 victory at the Celtics Dec. 17, 2021 on ESPN earned victory No. 400 of his head coaching career, joining Hall of Famers Al Attles (433-386 record 1970-80) and Don Nelson (865-322 1988-95 & 2006-10) as the three head coaches in Warriors history with at least 400 career wins.

Fewest Games To Reach 400 Wins As NBA Head Coach All-Time
Pat Riley 540             Billy Cunningham 572
Phil Jackson 557       Steve Kerr (GS) 576
K.C. Jones 564           Gregg Popovich (SA) 611

Their finish to 2021-22 was a rough going 12-16, including a 6-11 mark on the road (6-5 at home), which included a four-game road losing streak (Mar. 1-10). They went 1-4 on a 5-game East Coast Road trip (Mar. 22-28, 2022).

The Warriors had losing streaks of five (Feb. 27 25-Mar. 8); three games (Mar. 16-23); four games (Mar. 25-Apr. 2). They closed the season on a five-game winning streak (Apr. 2-10) to capture the No. 3 Seed in the West behind their 11^th 50-plus win season in franchise history, producing five of those six such seasons coming in the last nine years.      

Leading the Warriors charge as Top 3 Seed again was Stephen Curry (25.5 ppg: 10^th NBA, 6.3 apg, 5.2 rpg), who added to his future Hall of Fame legend.

In the Warriors 105-96 win at the Knicks Dec. 14, 2021 on TNT, now eight-time All-Star and two-time Kia MVP made his 2,974 career three-pointer to surpass Hall of Famer and two-time NBA champion Ray Allen for the most made threes in NBA history, which has grown to now 3,1117 career made threes (3,117/7,290 3-Pt) and counting.

In the Warriors 119-93 victory Nov. 12, 2021, versus the Bulls on ESPN, Curry became the all-time leader in career made triples in the regular season and postseason at 3,366 surpassing Allen again. Curry entering this season has made 3,678 threes in the regular season and postseason combined.

Curry on his 34th birthday scored 47 points on 16/25 shooting and 7/14 from three with six assists and six rebounds in the Warriors 126-112 triumph versus the Wizards.

The now eight-time All-NBA selection (four-time First Team: 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021; three-time Second Team: 2014, 2017, 2022; & Third Team: 2018) in the Warriors 113-102 triumph Mar. 10 at the Nuggets on TNT scored 24 of his 34 points in the second half going 11/21 shooting, making 5/12 threes with nine rebounds, becoming the 49^th player in NBA history with 20,000 career points. Only he and 76ers James Harden from the 2009 Draft class have reached that career milestone.

Curry’s Scoring   45 20-Plus Point Games
2021-22                  21 30-Plus Point Games
                                 7 40-Plus Point Games

In the Warriors 127-113 victory Nov. 7, 2021, versus the Hawks, Curry had one of his 12 double-doubles (T-4^th most in a season in his career) in 2021-22 with a season-best 50 points with 10 assists, seven boards and four steals on 14/28 from the field, including 9/19 from three.

In winning Western Conference Player of The Week for the first week of last season for the 17^th time in his career, Curry averaged 31 points, seven assists, nine rebounds, and 2.3 steals per contest. His 17^th time earning this honor is the most in franchise history.

Curry reached these milestones and had the season he had despite shooting career-lows of 43.7 percent from the field and 38.0 percent from three-point range. Yet the greatest three-point shooter in NBA history made over 200 triples for the ninth time in his first 13 NBA seasons, connecting on a league-leading 285 treys (285/750 3-Pt.).

Worst Percentage From Three-Point Range in Stephen Curry’s Career
2021-22: 38.0%         2017-18: 42.3%
2016-17: 41.1%         2013-14: 42.4%
2020-21: 42.1%

The Warriors, who were still without the other half of their “Splash Brothers” backcourt, more on him in a moment got off to the kind of start they did because of the emergence of first-time All-Star Andrew Wiggins (17.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 46.6 FG%, 39.3 3-Pt.%) and Jordan Poole (18.5 ppg, 44.8 FG%, 36.4 3-Pt.%).

One of the first big moves the Warriors made in trying to build themselves back up into a title squad was at the Feb. 6, 2020, trade deadline acquiring Wiggins from the Timberwolves along with two draft picks.

To that point in his career, Wiggins, the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 Draft out of University of Kansas was a player that was dubbed to be the savior for the squad from the “Twin Cities.” He had his moments. But he never became that franchise player and it got very rough, especially during the one-plus seasons now Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau was on their sidelines.

The potential of Wiggins and Towns never came to fruition and when the opportunity came for the Timberwolves to drop anchor on Wiggins’ time with the team they did.

Ever since though he came to the “Bay Area,” Wiggins has fit in well and the native of Toronto, Ontario Canada grew into a magnificent two-way player for them.

Last season, Wiggins made over 110 triples for the fourth time in his first eight NBA season making a career-high total 157 threes (140/399 3-Pt.).

In 2019, the Warriors drafted Poole No. 28 overall out of University of Michigan and like most rookies, especially on a team that was at the bottom of the food chain like the Warriors were at that time took his lumps. He spent time with the Warriors G League affiliate in the Santa Cruz Warriors.

In 2020-21, Poole playing alongside Curry started to find his groove and began to separate himself from the plethora of shooting guards they had at the time in Kent Bazemore, Mychal Mulder, Damion Lee, and Kelly Oubre, Jr. now with the Hornets.

Last season, Poole put it all together going from registering a total of 12 20-plus point games his first two NBA seasons, to nearly tripling that with 34 20-plus points games in 2021-22. He rose his averages from 10.3 points in 21 starts to 18.5 points in 51 starts.

Poole had a string of scoring 20 or more in 17 straight games (Mar. 3-Apr. 7, 2022) and registered 20 or more in 18 of the final 20 games of 2021-22. Poole also registered 10 Games scoring 30-plus points after having just one such game his first two NBA seasons.  

Warriors With Streaks Of 20-Plus Point Games: 15 Or More
Joe Fulks                    Jeff Mullins                Stephen Curry
Paul Arizin                 Chris Mullin              Kevin Durant
Wilt Chamberlin       Mitch Richmond       Jordan Poole

One of the picks the Warriors received in one of the few trades they made in their quick rebuilding process was selecting forward Jonathan Kuminga (9.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 51.6 FG%) No. 7 overall in 2021 Draft from the NBA’s G League Ignite.

A last season progressed, and he got more comfortable in the Warriors rotation, native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo flashed some of the athleticism and talent that made him a Top 10 pick.

                     Jonathan Kuminga’s Double-Doubles In 2021-22                                                        
Mar. 12, 2022 (122-109 Win) Versus Bucks on ABC: 14 Points, 11 Rebounds 6/16 FGs
Jan 18, 2022   (102-86 Win) Versus Pistons: 12 Points, 10 Rebounds

                    Jonathan Kuminga’s 20-Point Games In 2021-22                                                    
Dec. 18, 2021 (119-100 Loss) at Raptors: Career-High 26 Points 9/15 FGs: 4/6 3-Pt.
Jan. 14, 2022 (138-96) Win at Bulls on ESPN: 25 Points, 3 Blocks, 10/12 FGs: 2/4 3-Pt.
Jan. 25, 2022 (130-92) Win Versus Mavericks: 22 Points, 5 Rebounds, 8/9 FGs: 4/4 3-Pt.
Mar. 8, 2022 (112-97) Win Versus Clippers: 21 Points, 6 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 7/12 FGs: 2/3 3-Pt.
Mar. 23, 2022 (118-104) Win At Heat: 22 Points, 5 Rebounds, 9/17 FGs

In the Warriors 119-100 loss at the Raptors, Kuminga with his season-high of 26 points became at age 19 the youngest players in Warriors’ history to score 25 or more in a game.

Jonathan Kuminga   Oct. 2021: 3.0 PPG, 25 FG%         
By Month 2021-22     Nov. 2021: 3.0 PPG, 42.9 FG%
                                    Dec. 2021: 7.5 PPG, 56.3 FG%
                                    Jan. 2021: 9.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 45.6 FG%
                                    Feb. 2022: 14.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 576 FG%
                                    Mar. 2022: 12.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 49.7 FG%
                                    Apr. 2022: 11.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 63.6 FG%

The Warriors 2020-21 season started off with tough news as five-time All-Star Klay Thompson missed a second straight full season with ruptured right Achilles sustained during an offseason workout. This was on the heels of the three-time All-NBA selection (Second Team: 2019; Third Team 2015 & 2016) missing all of 2019-20 season with a torn ACL in his left knee suffered in Game 6 of the 2019 Finals versus the eventual champion Raptors.

But after 941 days from the last time he played, Thompson (20.4 ppg, 38.5 3-Pt.%) returned to the hardwood on Jan. 9 (96-82 win) versus the Cavaliers, scoring, scoring 17 points on 7/18 shooting, including 3/8 from three in 20 minutes.  

The 2019 All-Defensive Second Team selection also made some history in his return reaching 12,000 career points and made his 1,800 career three-pointer.

There were nights when Thompson looked like sharp-shooting lockdown defender that was one of the best two-way not just guards but players in “The Association.” Then there were night that he looked like a player that had been sidelined for two consecutive seasons.

In 2021-22, Thompson shot just 42.9 percent from the field, the second worst shooting percentage of his career (42.2% in 2012-13: 2^nd NBA season). His 38.5 percent from three-point range was career-low making a career-low 114 triples in total (114/296 3-Pt.). He scored under 1,000 total points a season ago with 652, his first time being under 1,000 points since his rookie season (826 points in 2011-12).   

Those nights that he played like himself, he displayed on what would arise during the postseason.

                 Klay Thompson’s 30-Plus Point Nights In 2021-22                                                     
Feb. 12, 2022 (117-115) Win Versus Lakers on ABC: 33 Pts, 12/22 FGs: 5/9 3-Pt.
Mar. 12, 2022 (122-109) Win Versus Bucks on ABC: The Season-High 38 Pts, 6 Rebs,
5 Asts, 15/24 FGs: 8/14 3-Pt.
Mar. 25, 2022 (121-110) Loss At Hawks on NBATV: 37 Pts, 7 Rebs, 14/26 FGs: 9/16 3-Pt.
Apr. 2, 2022: (111-107) Win Versus Jazz: 36 Pts, 5 Rebs, 14/28 FGs: 8/14 3-Pt.
Apr. 7, 2022: (128-112) Win Versus Lakers on TNT: 33 Pts, 12/22 FGs: 6/10 3-Pt.
Apr. 10, 2022: (128-107) Win At Pelicans on TNT: Season-High 41 Pts 16/29 FGs: 7/14 3-Pt.

In the Warriors 117-115 triumph Feb. 12 versus the Lakers on ABC, Thompson scored 16 of his then season-high 33 points in the fourth quarter.

A month later in the Warriors win (122-109) versus the Bucks, Thompson had 17 of his 21 first half points on 8/12 from the field and 5/8 from three-point range in the second quarter (6/7 FGs: 5/6 3-Pt.).

His five made threes in the second quarter were his most in one period since January 2019. His 38-point performance with eight made triples are his most since March 2019. Thompson and Poole (30 points, six boards, five assists, 9/16 FGs: 5/10 3-Pt.) on this night became the second Warriors teammates to author a 30/5/5 (points/rebounds/assists) game under Coach Kerr since Curry and Kevin Durant did it in 2018. It was Thompson’s first 35/5/5 (points/rebounds/assists) performance since January 2016.   

Thompson’s nine triples made (9/16 3-Pt.) in the Warriors 121-110 loss Apr. 2 at Hawks on NBATV were a season-best. Thompson and Poole (4/13 3-Pt.) combined that night for 13/29 from three, with rest of the Warriors combining for 1/12 from three.

Most Games With Eight Made Three-Pointers In NBA History
Stephen Curry (GS) 68         Klay Thompson (GS) 16
Damian Lillard (POR) 23    J.R. Smith (14)
James Harden (PHI) 21

When Thompson returned to the lineup Jan. 9 after missing it was the first time that he, Curry, and Draymond Green (7.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 7.0 apg, 52.5 FG%), it was the first time the Warriors “Core 3” were together on the same floor since that Game 6 loss versus the Raptors in 2019 Finals.

It was one of the rare times that Curry, Thompson, and Green were on the floor together in 2021-22 as they totaled incredibly 11 minutes across three games.

Thompson missed the first 38 games of last season, and the Warriors went 29-9. They were 17-15 in the games he played as he and team tried to reacclimate themselves. The Warriors were 7-7 in games that Thompson sat out to rest or due to illness. 

When Thompson scored 15 points or more in 2021-22, the Warriors went 15-9 (2-6 when he scored under 15 points), including 11-3 when he scored 20 or more and 5-1 when he scored 30 or more.

Green because of injuries a season ago was not always at his high energy, get after it defensively, do it all-around player that we have come to know the now four-time All-Star, and now seven-time All-Defensive selection (First Team: 2015-17 & 2021; Second Team: 2018, 2019, & 2022).

A lot of that had to do with the 2017 Kia Defensive Player of the Year missing 36 games due to injury. He missed 29 straight games and 31 out of 32 games (Jan. 6-Mar. 13, 2022) duet to a disc issue in his lower back and a left calf strain).

Green did flash some moments of his all-around play that has made one of the best all-around players in the league when he had his 31^st career triple-double of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Warriors 113-98 win versus the Kings. Warriors all-time are 31-0 in the regular season when Green has registered a triple-double. The Warriors also went 13-1 in 2021-22 when Green made at least one three-pointer.

With Green in the lineup, the Warriors in 2021-22 went 34-12 and just 19-17 without him.

As soon as Green came back and he, Thompson and Curry were starting to find their groove on the hardwood, Curry was lost due to injury.

The Warriors’ floor general missed the final 12 games of 2021-22 when he sprained a ligament in his left foot in his team’s 110-88 loss Mar. 16 versus the Celtics on ESPN when Curry in going after a loss ball against Marcus Smart of the Celtics in the second quarter and got hurt. The Warriors began 1-6 without Curry before winning their final five games of 2021-22 to be 6-6.

Warriors the last  With Stephen Curry In Lineup: 83-45 record, including 45-19 in 2021-22
Two Seasons         Without Stephen Curry In Lineup: 9-17 record, including 8-10 in 2021-22

With Curry on the court for the Warriors for a total of 2,211 minutes, they shot 37 percent from three-point range and were a +50. Without Curry on the hardwood for 1,735 minutes, the Warriors shot just 35 percent on their triple tries and were a -55.

The three-man lineup of Curry, Thompson, and Green since 2012-13, the Warriors are a +3,065.

Ever since the Coach Kerr, Curry, Thompson, and Green era began in 2014-15, the Warriors have been a team that has been predicated offensively on ball movement and man movement and being tied on string help the helper at the defensive end. That has led to success and continued a season ago.

               Warriors Offense Statistics In 2021-22                           
46.9 FG%: 10^th NBA                  27.1 APG: 5^th NBA         
36.4 3-Pt.%: 8^th NBA                  17.6 Pts off Turnovers: 6^th NBA
39.4 3-Pt. Attempts: 3^rd NBA     13.8 Fastbreak Pts: 7^th NBA
14.3 3-Pt. Made: 3^rd NBA

Warriors under Coach Kerr are 240-77 when they have registered 30-plus assists, including 26-1 in 2021-22.

                        Warriors Making 20 or More Threes In 2021-22                                     
Apr. 2, 2022 Versus Jazz: 20/48 3-Pt. In 111-107 Win
Nov. 15, 2021 Versus Pelicans: 20/50 3-Pt. In 126-85 Win
Dec. 6, 2021 Versus Magic: 20/40 3-Pt. In 26-95 Win
Mar. 1, 2022 Versus Spurs: 20/46 3-PT. In 124-120 Win
Mar. 3, 2022 Versus Kings: 20/42 3-Pt. In 126-114 Win
Jan. 27, 2022 Versus Timberwolves: 21/36 3-Pt. In 124-115 Win
Oct. 30, 2021 Versus Thunder: 21/54 3-Pt. In 103-82 Win
Nov. 21, 2021 Versus Raptors: 22/45 3-Pt. In 119-104 Win

                                    Warriors Defensive Statistics 2021-22                                                       
43.8 Opp. FG%:   2^nd NBA                             8.8 Steals Per Game: 4^th NBA
33.9 Opp. 3-Pt.%: 3^rd NBA                           13.7 Opp. Turnovers: 8^th NBA
+2.8 Rebound Differential: 4^th NBA            12.7 Opp. 2^nd Chance Pts: T-9^th NBA w/Bulls
43.9 Opp. Paints Pts: 5^th NBA

Warriors registered 34 Wins by 10 points or more, tied with Jazz for 2^nd most NBA.

The Warriors quest for a fourth title began with a 123-107 victory versus the Nuggets Apr. 16 on ABC in Game 1 of First Round of their Playoff in the first NBA Playoff game in San Francisco since 1969. It was also the first Playoff game for three-year old Chase Center.

Warriors blew the game open with outscoring Nuggets 32-20 in the second quarter and 32-23 in the third quarter to lead by as many as 24 points. It was their first Playoff appearance after a two-year absence.

Poole led the way with 30 points (9/13FGs) on 5/7 3-Pt (7/8 FTs); Thompson 19 points on 5/10 from three. Curry had 16 points hitting 3/6 from three while Wiggins had 16 points and nine rebounds. Green 12 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and three blocks.

Warriors got 40 points from their bench led by the 16 from Curry, who came off the bench for the first time since Game 2 of West Semis against versus the Pelicans on May 1, 2018. It was the third time Curry in his postseason career and the ninth time overall in his overall career.

Poole, who had 17 points on 6/6 FGs in first half of Game 1 with 5 made threes most by a

Warriors player in their Playoff debut. 

            Most Points In Playoff Debut Warriors History                           
1960 Wilt Chamberlin: 35 points for Philadelphia Warriors
2022 Jordan Poole: 30 Points
1989 Mitch Richmond: 30 Points

Curry went 5/13 from the field in 22 minutes off the bench in his first game back since a 12-absence to close the regular season (sprained ligament left foot). His first made field goal came at 1:14 mark of the second quarter after beginning 0/5 shooting.

Thompson played in his first Playoff game since Game 6 of 2019 Finals versus the Raptors, 1,038 days ago. 

The Warriors overcame a double-digit deficit in first half to defeat Nuggets at home 126-106 Apr. 18 on TNT to take a 2-0 series lead. They improved to 17-4 in Game 2s under Coach Kerr dating back to 2015.  

Warriors overcame a 12-point deficit (43-31) using a 23-4 late in second period to lead 57-51 at half and blew the game open by outscoring Nuggets 44-30 in the third quarter and 69-50 in the second half.

Curry off the bench had 34 points on 12/17 from the field and 5/10 from three. Poole had 29 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals, 10/16 FGs and 5/10 from three. Thompson 21 points (9/19FGs) on 3/8 from three. Wiggins had 13 points and eight rebounds.

Warriors End of First Half    18-4 Run To Close 1^st Half Game 1
Runs First Two Games           26-8 Run To Close 1^st Half Game 2

Curry, Thompson, and Poole combined to score 16 of Warriors 18 points in their closing half run in Game 1. The trio had 24 of the 26 points in 26-8 run to end first half of Game 2.

Curry 34 points off the bench in 23 minutes in Game 2 is, according to the Elias Sports Bureau the most points in 24-Second shot clock era (1954-55) in 23 minutes or fewer in a Playoff game. His 50 total points are three more than his 47 total points off the bench in the career in regular season by Curry.

Curry, Thompson, and Poole combined to go 31/52 FGs and 13/28 from three in Game 2, the fourth time three Warriors guards each scored 20 or more in a Playoff game in their postseason history, including their first since 2013. 

Trios To Score 25 Points Each On 50 FG% In Warriors Playoff History                     
Apr. 18, 2021 Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson,             Versus Nuggets First-Round
                        Jordan Poole

1989                Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond,              West Semis Versus Suns
                        Terry Teagle

1958                Paul Arizin, Neil Johnston,                      NBA Finals Versus Celtics
                        Tom Gola

Warriors made 15/35 from three and 21/29 at foul line, compared to Nuggets 10/13 at the charity stripe.

Warriors gained command of the series with a 118-113 victory Apr. 24 on TNT at the Nuggets to take a 3-0 series lead.

The visiting Warriors led by as many as 12 points in the opening half and led 69-59 at half. Nuggets got back in it outscoring the Warriors 30-18 in the third to lead 89-87 after three quarters. Warriors responded outscoring the Nuggets 31-24 in the fourth quarter, including a 9-2 to close the game.

Warriors were 27/40 from the field in the first half for 67.5 percent the highest percentage from the field for a half under Coach Kerr.

Curry had 27 points and six assists on 9/17 from the floor, making three triples (3.9 3-Pt.). Poole also had 27 points (9/13 FGs) going 3/5 on his triple tries (6/9 FTs). Thompson had 26 points with two block shots on 10/18 from the field and 6/13 from three-point range. Green had six points, five rebounds, two steals, and 10 assists.  

Warriors got 50 bench points with 27 coming from Curry. Made 18/40 on their threes; had 29 assists but 18 turnovers.

Warriors Closing      Gm 1:  18-4, Included a 16-0 Run
Runs To 1^st Half        Gm 2:  26-8, Included a 15-2 Run
First Three Games    Gm 3:  24-14, Included a 15-4 Run
Of Series.

The Warriors did not get their series sweep and Nuggets won Game 4 at home 128-126 Apr. 24 on ABC.

After leading by as many as seven points in the first quarter, the Warriors trailed by as many as 17 points in second quarter and were down 63-52 at intermission. Making the climb back into the game, the Warriors regained the lead on a Curry jumper with 1:20 left in regulation. But were outscored 7-0 to close Game 4.

Warriors began Game 4 cold scoring just 21 points on 8/26 shooting for 31 percent and were just 4/12 from three-point range with five turnovers. 

Warriors outscored Nuggets 56-46 in the paint; 43-35 in bench points; and 16-10 in second chance points. Warriors outrebounded Nuggets 36-33.

This was the Warriors first loss (regular season or Playoffs) when Curry and Thompson both score 30-Plus points in same game, going 12-0 when it occurs in the regular season.

Longest Winning Streaks With Teammates Scoring 30-Plus Points The Past 50 Years
                                               (Regular Season Postseason)                                                
Shaquille O’Neal & Kobe Bryant      (2001-13) W/Lakers       19
Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen      (1991-98) W/Bulls          13
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson  (2014-19) W/Warriors  13

Poole entered Game 4 with 86 total points his first four career Playoff games, with only the late Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlin scored more total points his first career Playoff games with Warriors at 116 points in 1960.

Curry had 33 points, eight assists, and four steals on 10/23 shooting. Thompson had 32 points and two steals on 12/20 from the field. Wiggins had 20 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Green had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds with six assists and two steals. Poole had 11 points and nine assist but was just 3/10 from the field.

While Thompson was 7/11 on his threes, the rest of the team was a combined 5/23 from three, (Curry: 3/11 3-Pt.; Poole 1/5 3-Pt.; rest of the team 1/7 3-Pt.), equating to 12/34 from three-point range.

They also had 17 turnovers that led to 30 Nuggets points, and went 23/32 at the foul line, which includes Curry going 7/11 from the charity stripe.

Warriors behind a strong fourth quarter, with Curry leading the final charge finished off the Nuggets in Game 5 102-98 Apr. 27 on TNT, to win the series 4-1.

Warriors led by as many as seven points in the opening period were outscored 53-40 the middle two quarters and were down 66-56 in the third period. Warriors got a three-pointer from Curry to pull with 68-67 but were outscored 10-3 to close the third period to lead 78-70 after three quarters. A 16-6 run to start the fourth quarter put the Warriors ahead 86-84 with 6:57 left in the third quarter. With score tied 90-90 with 2:36 left in the fourth, Warriors closed the game on a 12-8 run with another Curry triple sealing the victory.

Curry scored 11 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter with five assists, five rebounds, and two steals on 10/22 from the field and 5/11 on his threes. Thompson had 15 points and nine rebounds, with four steals. Wiggins had 12 points and five boards, while Green had 11 points, six rebounds, and three blocks.

                                      Stephen Curry In Game 5 Versus Nuggets                                         
Made his first start of this postseason after coming off the bench first four
games of the series in returning from 12-game absence to close the season
since Jan. 16.

Scored 11 Points on 3/5 FGs and 5/6 FTs in Fourth Quarter.

Made 5 Three-Pointers now 49 times in his postseason career.

Had his 30^th Career Playoff Game with 30 Points and 5 Made Triples

Is third player in last 50 Postseasons to score 30 Points as a Starter
and 30 Points off the bench as reserve in same series.

Scored or assisted on 10 of Warriors 15 Points In Clutch Time in Series.

Passed Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving into 24^th on All-Time Scoring List
In NBA Playoffs. 

Warriors five-man group of Curry, Thompson, Poole, Wiggins, and Green for the series against Nuggets 39 minutes, scored 120 total points; had a +23 points differential shot 61 percent from the field and 52 percent from three.

In starting a Playoff series on the road for the first time since 2018 West Finals against the Rockets, the Warriors stole Game 1 of the West Semis at the Grizzlies 117-116 May 1 on ABC, to steal homecourt to begin their West Semis of 2022.

The Warriors won a road game in a Playoff series for a 25^th consecutive time, extending their NBA Playoff record.

After trailing for majority of the first half trailing by as many as 13 points (down 61-55 at half) outscored the Grizzlies 36-29 in the third period and led 91-90 after three quarters.

Thompson, who struggled for the majority of the game hit his third triple of the game with 36 seconds left in regulation put the Warriors up 117-116 and they held on to win after preventing the Grizzlies from scoring in their final possession.

Poole led the way with career-high of 31 points with nine assists and eight boards on 12/20 shooting and 5/10 from three. Curry had 24 points (8/20 FGs) going 5/10 from three. Wiggins had 17 points and eight rebounds. Thompson struggled going just 61/9 shooting and 3/10 from three for 15 points.   

Warriors outscored Grizzlies 56-44 in the paint; 47-30 in bench points; and 26-24 in second chance points.

They outrebounded the Grizzlies 51-47 registering 16 offensive boards and scored 24 points off 16 Grizzlies turnovers.

Green, who had six points, four rebounds and five turnovers was ejected at 1:18 mark of the second quarter for a Flagrant 2 foul in Grizzlies Brandon Clarke.

Warriors dropped Game 2 106-101 May 3 on TNT that nodded the series at 1-1.

They trailed the Grizzlies for nearly three quarters down by as many as 11 points early in third but did out score the homestanding Grizzlies 26-21 in the third behind an 11-2 closing run to tie it 77-77 after three quarters. The Warriors got the lead early in the fourth period but the Grizzlies responded and when up 104-101 in the final minute, Thompson had a crucial turnover with 17 second left in regulation that sealed the loss.  

While they outscored the Grizzlies again 60-42 in the paint; 39-35 in bench points; and 20-10 in second chance points, they Warriors shot just 42.1 percent (40/85 FGs) from the floor and 7/38 from three-point range.

Warriors in the second quarter were just 2/11 from three with five turnovers.

Curry had 27 points, eight assists and nine rebounds on 11/25 from the field but just 3/10 from three. Poole had 20 points and five assists (8/16 FGs) but was just 1/6 from three.

Wiggins had 16 points and nine rebounds but also struggled going 6/16 from the field and 1/7 from three.

Thompson's first made three-pointer of Game 2 was No. 400 for his postseason career was just 5/19 from the field and 2/12 from three.

Warriors dominated Game 3 winning 142-112 May 7 on ABC overcoming a 13-point first quarter deficit (21-8) outscoring the visiting Grizzlies 116-84 the final three quarters, including 78-55 in the second half (37-23 3^rd; 41-32 in the 4^th periods respectably).  

They outscored the Grizzlies 62-44 in the paint and 51-35 in bench points. Had 34 assists on their 53 made shots, shooting 62.4 percent on the night (53/85 FGs), going 17/32 on their threes (53.1%) and were 19/21 at the foul line (90.5%). They joined the 2001 76ers in their Semifinals series against the Raptors to shoot 60 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range and 90 percent at the foul line in a game in NBA Playoff history.

1^st Half Summary                 MEM                 GS 
of Game 3                                  57      Pts         64
                                                20/46    FGs      26/37
                                                43.5% FG%     70.3%
                                                  16    Paint Pts    32
                                                  10   Bench Pts   21

Warriors 70.3 percent from the floor in the opening half of Game 3 was their highest for any half in a Playoff game under Coach Kerr.  

Curry had 30 points and six assists (7/14 FGs) on 14/14 at the foul line despite going 2/8 from three. Poole had 27 points on 11/7 shooting and 3/5 on his threes.

 

Stephen Curry Threes          Gm 1: 5/12; Gm 2: 3/11; Gm 3: 2/8
1^st Three Games of series

Thompson, who went 11/28 from the field (29%) and 5/22 from three (23%) the first two games of the series had 21 points and nine rebounds (8/14) field goals on 4/6 from three.

Kuminga who had 18 points on 8/10 shooting and Wiggins added 17 points.

Kuminga at age 19 and 213 days old became the youngest player to start an NBA Playoff game since 1971.

For the third time in the postseason, Curry, Thompson, and Poole each scored 20-plus points. The Warriors are now 3-0 when that has occurred in the 2022 Playoffs.

Warriors became the second team in the last 25 postseason to trail by 10-plus points and win a Playoff game by at least 30 points.  

                                 Warriors Other Game 3 Superlatives                                               
142 Points: Second Most In A Playoff Game In Franchise History (143 points 1967)

62.4 FG%: Second Highest Single Playoff Game In Their History.

First 30-Point Win In A Playoff Game Since May 20, 2018.

Warriors took a commanding 3-1 lead in the series with a 101-98 victory in Game 4 May 9 on TNT without Coach Kerr, who entered health and safety protocols.

Assistant Coach Mike Brown led the way on the sidelines for the Warriors, improving to 12-0 as acting head coach of the Warriors. He went 11-0 in 2017 Playoffs when Coach Kerr, who was out because of complications from back surgery in 2016.

They trailed the Grizzlies for close to three quarters, down 69-62 after three quarters. Curry tied the score 90-90 with a baseline jumper with 3:25 left and sealed the win by going 8/8 at the charity stripe the final 45.7 seconds of regulation.  

The Warriors outscored the Grizzlies 39-29 in the fourth period going 10/17 shooting, including 4/8 from three after going 5/29 from three the first three quarters. And 15/17 at the foul line.

Curry led the way overall with 32 points, eight assists and five boards, on just 10/25 shooting, including 4/14 from three and 8/9 at the foul line.

Wiggins had his first career double-double in the Playoffs with 17 points and 10 rebounds with three block shots.

Thompson struggled again shooting wise going 6/20 from the floor and 0/7 from three for 14 points and seven rebounds. Poole was just 4/12 shooting, including 0/3 from three scoring 14 points scored eight of those 14 points with three assists on 6/6 at the foul line in the fourth quarter.

Green had only two points but 11 rebounds and five assists in Game 4.

On a night when they struggled shooting at 40 percent (36/90 FGs) and 9/37 from three, the Warriors were 20/22 at the foul line compared to the 9/15 by the Grizzlies. They also outscored their bench again 36-31 and outrebounded them 54-48.

                                           Stephen Curry In Game 4                                            
14 Points, 6/18 FGs: 2/10 3-Pt., 0/1 FTs First Three Quarters.

18 Points 4/7 FGs: 2/4 3-Pt., 8/8 FTs In Fourth Quarter.

Outscored the Grizzlies 18-16 The Final Eight Minutes of the Fourth Quarter.

Scored or assists on 50 of the Warriors 101 Points In the Game.

Made Three-Pointers No. 500, Becoming the First Player To Do That
In NBA Playoff History.  

Most Fourth Quarter Points In Postseason Career of Stephen Curry
2019   23 Points  Against Rockets
2022   18 Points  Against Grizzlies
2015   17 Points  Against Cavaliers
2015   17 Points  Against Cavaliers

The Warriors were creamed in Game 5 at the Grizzlies 134-95 Game 11 on TNT to have the series lead cut to 3-2.

They trailed the Grizzlies by as many as 55 points (119-64) late in the third quarter. The 77 points allowed to the Grizzlies in the opening half matched what they gave up in the opening half Jan. 13 at the Bucks.

                   Largest Margins Of Defeat In Warriors Playoff History                                         
56 Points (126-70): Game 3 Apr. 21, 1973 West Finals Versus Lakers.
50 Points (136-86): Game 5 Apr. 4, 1970 West Semis At Bucks as San Francisco Warriors.
40 Points (118-78): Game 6 April 5, 1969 West Semis Versus Lakers as San Francisco Warriors. 
40 Points (138-98): Game 2 Apr. 27, 2014 West First Round at Clippers.
39 Points (134-95): Game 5 May 11, 2022 West Semis at Grizzles.  

The Warriors 39-point defeat is their fifth largest margin of defeat in a postseason game in franchise history and the largest margin of defeat since a 40-point loss Game 2 of First Round to Clippers Apr. 21, 2014. They are the sixth team in the last 10 years to lose by 39 points or more in a game that did not conclude a Playoff series.  

Warriors finished the series winning Game 6 110-96 May 13 on ESPN behind a dominant fourth quarter after a very highly contested first three quarters. 

Warriors used a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter and a 23-7 run the final 6:30 to seal the victory. They advanced to Western Conference Finals for the sixth time in the last eight seasons. It will be there first appearance since 2019 against the Trail Blazers, who they swept 4-0.  

Teams To Make Conference Finals In Six Times In An Eight Year Span
76ers (1970-80s)         Bulls 1990s
Celtics (1980s)            Pistons 2000s
Lakers (1980-90s)      Warriors (2010s)

Thompson, who averaged 16.2 the first five games of the series led the way with 30 points, eight rebounds and three blocks on 11/22 from the field and 8/14 from three-point range. He had 11 points on 3/3 from three in the first quarter.

Curry had 15 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, five assists, and seven rebounds, despite shooting 10/27 from the floor and 6/17 from three.

Wiggins had his second double-double of his postseason career with 18 points and 11 rebounds with three blocks (7/16 FGs) on 3/5 from three, with 10 of those 18 points coming in the final period.

Green had a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds with eight assists. Poole struggled on 4/15 from the field and 2/11 from three for 12 points. Looney had just four points but 22 rebounds, including 11 offensive rebounds and five assists.

Looney, who had 11 rebounds by himself in the opening period, a new career-high for a quarter became the first Warriors player with 10 offensive rebounds and 20 rebounds overall in a game since Larry “Mr. Mean” Smith did it in 1987.

Warriors on this night went 20/53 from three-point range; had 10 block shots and outscored the Grizzlies 21-12 in second chance points. They outrebounded the Grizzlies 70-44, including 25-10 on the offensive glass.

Thompson made eight threes in a postseason game for the fourth time in his Playoff career, tying Hall of Famer Ray Allen, Curry, and Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard for the most such games in NBA history.

The Warriors began their sixth trip to the West Finals in style winning Game 1 112-87 versus the Mavericks on May 18 on TNT.

Warriors used a 17-5 run to close the first period and 10-2 run to open the third quarter to blow the game open where they led by as many as 30 points, outscoring the Mavericks 58-42 in the second half.

Curry led the way with his eighth career points and rebounds double-double in the postseason with 21 points and 12 boards making three triples (3/9 3-Pt.).

Wiggins had 19 points and five boards and Poole also scored 19. Thompson scored all 15 of his points in the second half with five boards and two blocks. Green had 10 points, nine rebounds and two steals, and Looney had 10 points and five rebounds.

Warriors outrebounded the Grizzlies 51-35 and outscored them 44-32 in the paint; 37-33 in bench points; and 14-8 in second chance points.

Thompson      1^st  Half: 0 Points, 0/4 FGs:   0/3 3-Pt.
Game 1           2^nd Half: 15 Points, 6/9 FGs: 1/1 3-Pt.

Warriors now 7-0 at home in 2022 Playoffs and 21-2 in Game 1s since 2015.

They overcame a double-digit deficit in second quarter and dominated the second half to take Game 2 126-117 versus the Mavericks to go up 2-0 in the series.

Warriors were down 53-34 with 7:08 left in the second quarter and were down 72-58 at half as the Mavericks outscored them 40-33 in the second quarter. They cut their deficit to 85-83 after three quarters outscoring the Mavericks 25-13 in the period. That was followed by them outscoring the Mavericks 43-32 in the fourth quarter, including 34-25 after the game was tied 92-92.

Curry in the victory had 32 points, eight boards and five assists on 11/21 shooting, including 6/10 from three. Poole had 23 points and five assists with two steals (7/10 FGs: 2/4 3-Pt.). Looney had 21 points and 12 rebounds on 10/14 from the field.

       Kevon Looney In Game 2 Versus Mavericks             
21 Points: career-high (regular season or postseason).
Scored 11 of his 21 Points In 3^rd Quarter on 5/6 FGs
2^nd Career Playoff Double-Double.
1^st Career 20-Point Game (Regular Season or Playoffs)

Wiggins had 16 points, five boards, and five assists on 3/5 from three. Thompson had 15 points and five assists.

Warriors overcame the third largest deficit at intermission under Coach Kerr, authoring also victory No. 12 in the postseason after trailing by 15-plus points since 2015.

Their 16 wins by 25-plus points by the Warriors under Coach Kerr is tied with Hall of Famer Phil Jackson, with only Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich having more such victories with 17.

Warriors’ 2nd Halve              Gm 1: 58-42 outscoring the Mavericks
1^st Two Games of Series          Gm 2: 68-45 outscoring the Mavericks 

3^rd Quarter                 DAL                GS      4^th Quarter  DAL                GS  
Game 2                         13      Pts        25       Game 23        32       Pts        43
                                    5/19    FGs     10/22                         9/15     FGs      15/19
                                    2/13   3-Pt.      1/6                             4/5       3-Pt.      7/8  
                                      9      Rebs      16                             10/11    FTs        8/9
                                      3      Asts         6                                 3      Asts         11
                                    1/4     FTs        4/5

Warriors put a strangle hold on the series with a 109-103 victory at the Mavericks May 22 on TNT, earned a road win for a 26^th straight Playoff series, extending their NBA record.

They got after it from the opening tip leading by as many as 12 points in the opening period and overcame a nine-point second quarter deficit midway through the second quarter with an 8-0 run to lead 48-47 at intermission. The Warriors outscore the Mavericks 30-21 in the third quarter to lead 78-68 after three quarters, stretching the lead to 14 points in the fourth quarter but needed a left wing three by Poole to hold off a Mavericks rally.

Warriors Third Quarter First Three Games of West Finals
Game 1: Outscored Mavericks 34-24
Game 2: Outscored Mavericks 25-13
Game 3 Outscored Mavericks  30-21

Curry in the win had his second double-double of the series with 31 points and 11 assists, with five boards on 10/20 shooting and 5/10 from three (6/6 FTs). It was his sixth  30/10 game (points/assists) game of his postseason career, Warriors improved to 6-0 when that occurred. He also had his ninth career postseason double-double, including his second of this postseason.

Wiggins had his third double-double of 2022 Playoffs with a Playoff career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds on 11/20 shooting.

Thompson, who shot just 6/18 from the floor had 19 points and seven rebounds making three triples (3/10 3-Pt.). Green had 10 points, five boards, five assists, and two steals. Poole  added 10 points, five rebounds, and two steals.

Warriors, who outrebounded the Mavericks 47-33 (14-7 off. rebs) outscored Mavericks 46-34 in the paint and 18-14 in second chance points.

Warriors have a plus 43 rebound advantage (14-98) and a plus-56 scoring advantage (152-96) in the paint first three games of series.

The Warriors under Coach Kerr lead a Playoff series 3-0 for the 11^th time, tied with Hall of Famer Phil Jackson for second most in NBA Playoff history, trailing only the 13 times by Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

The Warriors did not sweep the Mavericks 119-109 May 24 on TNT, to lead the series 3-1 and have their nine-game winning streak in West Finals snapped.

The Warriors failed to close out their opponent in their first chance for third time this postseason, dropping Game 4 in opening-round at Nuggets. Lost Game 5 at the Grizzlies.

After leading by four points in the first quarter, the Warriors were were outscored over a seven-minute stretch in the second quarter 25-6 going 1/10 from the floor with two turnovers and were outscored 34-23 in the second period to trail 62-47 at half and 37-23 in third to lead 99-70 after three quarters. Warriors did close the gap outscoring the Mavericks 39-20 in the fourth quarter but never got the lead.

Curry had 20 points, eight assists, and five boards. Kuminga 17 points and eight rebounds. Wiggins 13 points and five boards. Poole had 14 points Thompson had 12 points and two steals. Green 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. Rookie Moses Moody also had 10 points off the bench.

Warriors the first three games of series shot on average 53.1 percent from the floor, compared to Mavericks’ 41 percent and outscored Mavericks 50.7 and 15.3-8.3 in second chance points. While they shot 48.8 percent (41/84 FGs) in Game 3, the Warriors allowed the Mavericks to shoot 50 percent (41/82 FGs) and only outscored them 44-36 in the paint and 9-3 in second chance points.

Warriors closed out the Mavericks in Game 5 back home versus Mavericks 120-110 victory May 26 on TNT leading wire-to-wire in winning their 11^th consecutive Playoff series when leading a series 2-0.

They took control of game outscoring the Mavericks 41-29 in the second quarter leading by as many as 25 points and held off a Mavericks rally when they cut the Warriors lead 94-84 after three quarters.

Thompson in the closeout win 32 points on 12/25 shooting, including 8/16 from three.

Wiggins had his second double-double of the series and fourth double-double of his postseason career (all in 2022 Playoffs) with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Andrew Wiggins In     First Two Rounds: 14.5 Points; 11.5 Field Goal Attempts
2022 Playoffs               2022 West Finals:  18.6 Points; 15. 6 Field Goal Attempts

Thompson had his third 30-point game of 2022 Playoffs, including his second in a closeout game, scoring 19 points on 7/11 shooting, including 5/8 from three in second half. He made eight threes for the second game this postseason and for the fifth time in his postseason career. Has also the only player to make eight threes in a Playoff series clincher twice.

Green had 17 points, six rebounds, and nine assists. Poole had 16 points.

Curry, who won the inaugural Earvin “Magic” Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP had 15 points and nine assists with three steals in Game 5. He averaged 23.8 points, 7.4 assists and 6.6 rebounds for series.

Looney had his second double-double of series with 10 points and 18 rebounds.

Warriors shot 51.1 percent from field in Game 5 (45/88 FGs), going 14/36 from three and 16/16 at the foul line, with 36 assists on 45 made shots, registering the third most assists in a series clinching win over the last 25 seasons. Warriors shot 50 percent from the floor in four out of five games in series.

Warriors outscored Mavericks 50-32 in the paint and 17-12 in second chance points.

Warriors in 3^rd             Gm 1: Warriors +10 (34-24) Won    Gm 4: +14 (37-23) Lost
Quarter of the series    Gm 2: Warriors +12 (25-13)  Won   Gm 5: +7 (32-25)   Won
                                       Gm 3:  Warriors +9 (30-21)   Won

For the series, Warriors outscored the Mavericks 296-168 in the paint and outshot them 148 field goals made in the paint to the Mavericks 84 made field goals in the paint.

Warriors improved to 9-0 at home in 2022 Playoffs tying the 2017 Warriors for most consecutive home wins in a single postseason in NBA history, going 10-1 their last 11 games in West Finals. The Warriors also improved to 6-0 in West Finals since 2015.

Warriors in their first appearance in The Finals since 2019 collapsed in the fourth quarter and dropped Game 1 versus the Celtics 120-108 June 2 on ABC.

Warriors who led by as many as 15 points led 56-54 at half and outscored the Celtics 38-24 in the third quarter to lead 92-80 after three quarters. The Celtics outscored Warriors 40-16 in the fourth period, getting outscored 20-5 to close Game 1, including 17-0 the final 5:40 of game after the score was tied 103-103. Warriors in a 4:56 of that timeframe went 0/5 from the field, including 0/3 from three-point range.

Warriors lost at home for first time in 2022 Playoffs and are 21-3 in Game 1s dating back to 2015. They also had the third longest winning streak in Playoff openers at home, the third longest in NBA Playoff history snapped. Their point differential of minus 24 in the fourth quarter is the worst in any fourth period (regular season or Playoffs) under Coach Kerr.

Curry in the loss had 34 points, five assists, five boards, and three steals on 12/25 shooting, including 7/14 from three. Thompson 15 points (6/14 FGs) on 3/7 from three.

                             Stephen Curry Game 1 of 2022 Finals                                      
21 Points, 7/9 FGs: 6/8 3-Pt. 1^st Quarter.
21 Points In First Quarter: Career-high In A Quarter In His Finals Career.
Six Made Threes In First Quarter: New Finals Record For A Quarter.
21 Points First Quarter: Matched Most In Finals Quarter Since Michael
Jordan scored 22 Points In Fourth Quarter of Game 4 1993 Finals versus
Suns.
Six made threes In First Period Broke His Own Record That He Shares
With Hall of Famer Ray Allen and two-time NBA Champion With Rockets
Kenny Smith.

Warriors nodded the series 1-1 with a 107-88 win in Game 2 versus Celtics June 5 on ABC.

After overcoming an early nine-point deficit in the first quarter used a 43-14 run from late in the first half until early in the fourth quarter to go from up 52-50 at half to up by as many as 29 points outscoring the Celtics 35-14 in the third quarter and 55-38 in the second half.

Curry had 29 points, six boards, and three steals (9/21Fgs) and 5/12 from three. Poole 17 points and two steals (6/14 FGs) on 5/9 from three. Looney had 12 points, seven rebounds, and three steals (6/6 FGs).

3^rd Quarter       BOS              GS            Warriors turned 5 Celtics third quarter turnovers   
Summary           14      Pts       35              into 11 points.
                          4/17    FGs    11/23           Warriors’ +21-point differential in third period
                         23.5% FG%  47.8%         best in any quarter in their Finals history.
                          2/8     3-Pt.     7/12            Curry had 14 points on 4/9 from the field
                           8       Rebs      13               and 3/6 from three in the third quarter.
                           5        TOs       3

Players To Average 30 Points and Three Steals First Two Games Of The Finals Since 1973-74 (Steals Became An Official Stat)
Rick Barry 1975 w/Warriors
Michael Jordan 1993 w/Bulls
Allen Iverson 2001 w/76ers
Stephen Curry 2022 w/Warriors

The Warriors dropped Game 3 at Celtics 116-100 June 8 on ABC, to fall behind 2-1 in series.

After trailing much of the first half and were down 68-56 at the half, Warriors outscored Celtics 33-25 in the third quarter to overcome a once 18-point deficit to lead 83-82 with 3:45 in third quarter, their first lead since opening game up 2-0. The Warriors were outscored 11-6 to close the period and were down 93-89 after three quarters. The Warriors were outscored though by the Celtics 23-11 in the fourth quarter, getting outrebounded 16-8 in the final period on just 5/15 shooting, including 1/9 from three.

The Warriors 11 points in the fourth quarter, tied third fewest in fourth quarter in The Finals in 24-second shot clock era (1954-55).  

Curry in defeat had 31 points and two steals on 12/22 shooting, including 6/11 from three-point range. Thompson had 25 points (7/17 FGs) on 5/13 from three-point range. Wiggins had 18 points, seven boards, two steals, and two block shots. Poole had 10 points.

Warriors now a +43-point differential in third quarter first three games of series 

3^rd Quarter     GS             BOS             Curry: 15 Points, 5/8 FGs: 4/5 3-Pt. In 3^rd Quarter
Summary        33     Pts      25               Thompson: 10 Points 2/4 3-Pt.
Game 2        11/22  FGs    8/22         
                       7/12  3-Pt.    3/9               Thompson: 26 total points 10/33 FGs: 4/15 3-Pt.
                         8     Asts       7                1^st two games

Curry has totaled 18 made threes first three games of 2022 Finals, most through three games of The Finals all-time.

The Warriors tied the series up 2-2 with a 107-97 victory on June 10 on ABC.

In a close Game 4, Warriors who led by as many as five points were down by as many as seven points, trailing 54-49 at half outscored the Celtics 30-24 in the third period to lead 79-78 after three quarters. Down 91-86 and 94-90 in the fourth period closed Game 4 on a 17-3 run the final 5:15 of game, including a 10-0 run to put the Warriors ahead 100-94.

Curry led the way with a double-double scoring a career-high of 43 points with 10 rebounds on 14/26 from the field, including 7/14 from three and 8/9 at the foul line. Thompson 18 points (7/17FGs) on 4/10 from three. Wiggins also had a double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds (7/17 FGs: 2/6 3-Pt.). Poole 14 points. Green had just two points with nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals on 1/7 FGs and 0/2 from three.

Warriors outrebounded Celtics 55-42 and 16-11 on the offensive glass. They outscored the Celtics 19-12 in second chance points; 25-20 in bench points and scored 19 points off 16 Celtics turnovers, registering 10 steals.

Warriors made 15/43 from three-point range getting 25 bench points

Warriors improved to 4-5 on the road in 2022 Playoffs and are 6-1 in road games when trailing in a series under Coach Kerr since 2015. They also improved to 6-0 in 2022 Playoffs following a loss and won a road game in a series for the 27 straight game, extending the longest such streak in NBA Playoff history.

Stephen Curry           1^st  Qtr: 12 Points    4/9 FGs: 2/6 3-Pt.
Scoring Game 4         2^nd Qtr: 19 Points 7/15 FGs: 2/8 3-Pt.
                                    3^rd Qtr: 14 Points   5/7 FGs: 4/5 3-Pt.
                                    4^th Qte: 10 Points    2/4 FGs: 1/1 3-Pt. 5/6 FTs  

                             Stephen Curry’s Other Superlatives In Game 4                                 
Had His Third Double-Double of 2022 Playoffs, Tied Second Most In Single
Postseason of His Career (Had Five Double-Doubles in 2013, 2016 and 2019 Playoffs)

His 43 Points, Second Most In A Game In Finals Career.

10^th Career Finals Game Scoring 30-Plus Points Making Five Threes: No Other Player Has More Than Two Such Games In NBA Finals History.

Had 33 Points First Three Quarters: His 13^th Career 30-Point Games In His Finals Career: Tied for Eighth Most In Finals All-Time With Late Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.

Oldest Players With 40 Points And 10 Rebounds In NBA Finals History
LeBron James (LAL)    2020   Age: 35
Stephen Curry (GS)      2022   Age: 34
Wilt Chamberlin           1970   Age: 33 w/Lakers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1980   Age: 33 w/Lakers

Oldest Players To Score 30 Percent Of Teams Points First Four Games of NBA Finals: Elias Sports Bureau               
                                                        Years/Days
Michael Jordan            1998             35/118
Michael Jordan            1997             34/111
Stephen Curry (GS)    2022              34/88
LeBron James (LAL)  2018              33/160  w/Cavaliers

The Warriors won Game 5 versus Celtics 104-94 June 13 ABC to take a 3-2 series led, to lead in series for first time as well as put themselves one win away from their fourth title in the last eight seasons.  

Warriors led the entire first half up by as many as 16 points and led 51-39 at half. Celtics got back into Game 5 outscoring the Warriors 35-24 in the third quarter and were down late in period before a three-pointer from left wing by Poole to close third period to lead 75-74 after three quarters. They outscored Celtics 29-20 in the fourth period.

In a game where Curry scored just 16 points on 7/22 from the field, including 0/9 from three with eight assists and two steals, the rest of the team picked up the slack.

Wiggins had another double-double this postseason with 26 points and 13 rebounds on 12/23 shooting. Thompson had 21 points and two steals (7/14 FGs) going 5/11 from three-point range. Poole had 14 points on 3/6 from three. Green had eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists.  

Warriors outscored Celtics 31-10 in bench points and scored 22 points off 18 Celtics turnovers, registering nine steals. They now have totaled 43 points 103 points of Celtics turnovers in series.

Warriors improved to 11-1 at home in the 2022 Playoffs (4-5 on road), with lone loss coming in Game 1 of this series. They also improved to 21-0 in postseason when leading by 10 points after the first quarter under Coach Kerr, including 4-1 in Game 5s in series tied 2-2 under Coach Kerr.

 

 

 

 

4^th Quarter       BOS              GS                      
Summary           20     Pts      29
Game 4             4/15   FGs   12/24
                           2/8    3-Pt.   2/10
                         10/14  FTs     3/3
                           12    Rebs     11
                            2     Asts        5
                            4     TOs        0

                               Andrew Wiggins In Game 2022 Finals                                                           
Had his second straight double-double and his sixth double-double in his postseason career: all in 2022 Playoffs.

16 First Half Points: Career-High In His Postseason Career With Seven Rebounds On 7/14 Shooting.

Had 10 Points And Five Rebounds On 5/6 Shooting In Fourth Quarter.

Led Warriors Outright In Scoring And Rebounding For First Time The Entire Season.

The last time Curry went without a made three in either a regular season or Playoff game went 0/4 in the Warriors 134-111 loss Mary 18, 2018 against Bucks.  

3-Point Streaks By Stephen Curry That Ended In Game 5        
-233 Consecutive Games Making A Three In Regular
Season and Playoffs: NBA Record.
-132 Straight Playoff Games Making A Three: NBA Record.
-38 Straight Games In Postseason Making Multiple Threes.
-First Game of Playoff Career Without A Made Three.   

The Warriors secured their 7^th title in franchise history and their fourth in the last eight seasons with a 103-90 win at the Celtics June 16 on ABC.

After falling behind 14-2 to start the game, went on an 11-0 run to close the first quarter included in a 25-8 run to close the opening period. They increased that run to 21-0 since 2:27 mark of the opening period to lead 37-22 early in second quarter ending first half on a 52-25 run to lead 54-39 at half. They increased the lead to 22 points (72-50) with 6:01 left in  third quarter.

Warriors 21-0 Run      GS              BOS  
Summary                      21      Pts      0
                                      8/12   FGs    0/7
                                      5/7    3-Pt.    0/4
                                       0      TOs      2

Curry had 34 points, seven assists, seven boards and two steals on 12/21 shooting and 6/11 from three in earning his first Finals MVP of his career.

Most Playoff Games With Seven Made Threes
Stephen Curry (GS):   18 Games
Klay Thompson (GS): 11 Games
Ray Allen: 7 Games

Most Career 30-Point Games In Playoffs Amongst Active Players
LeBron James (LAL) 118    Stephen Curry (GS): 51
Kevin Durant (BKN) 71

Most Double-Digit 30-Plus Point Games NBA Finals History
Jerry West: 31                          Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 16
Michael Jordan :23                  Bob Pettit: 14
LeBron James (LAL): 22        Stephen Curry (GS): 13
Elgin Baylor: 19                       Kobe Bryant: 13
Shaquille O’Neal: 16

Wiggins had 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks. Poole had 15 points going 3/8 from three. Green after three straight rough games had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, with eight assists, two steals, and two block shots. Thompson had 12 points, five boards, and two steals (5/20 FGs: 2/8 3-Pt.).

Warriors shot just 41.3 percent in the win (38/92 FGs). But hit a Finals clinching record 19 threes, going 19/46 from three-point range and outrebounded the Warriors 44-41, and 15-11 on the offensive glass. Outscored the Celtics 21-13 in second chance points and had 20 points off 23 Celtics turnovers.  

Celtics cut the Warriors lead to 76-66 after three quarters with a 16-4 to close the period.

Warriors closed their deal on their fourth title on a 10-3 run. Their 21-0 run since 2:27 mark of the first period is the longest scoring run in a Finals game last 50 Finals.

The Warriors in their four wins held the Celtics to 88, 97, 94, and 90 Points (In two losses: 120 and 116 points.

Warriors Dynasty      Won Titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.    
Summary                    73 Regular Season Wins in 2015-16: NBA Record For Single-Season.
                                     Five Straight Finals Appearances (2015-19).
                                     2019-21 Went Combined 54-83 (15-50 in 2019-20; 39-33 in 2021-22)

                           Most Titles By An All-NBA Trio Last 50 Seasons                                 
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker: 4 Titles With Spurs.
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green: 4 Titles With Warriors.

                Most Playoff Wins By An All-NBA Trio In Finals NBA History                    
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green: 21 Finals Win W/Warriors.
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker: 19 Finals Wins W/Spurs.
Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish: 16 Finals Wins W/Celtics.

                      Most Playoff Series Wins  By A Trio Last 30 Seasons                   
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parkers: 27 Wins W/Spurs.
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green: 25 Wins W/Warriors.
Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher: 20 Wins w/Lakers.  

Warriors became the first team in NBA history to go from worst record in the league (15-50 in 2019-20) to win a title in three-year span. They surpassed the Bulls for the fourth most titles in NBA history, trailing only the Celtics and Lakers 17 titles each for the most in NBA history.  

Warriors have gone 20-1 under Coach Kerr when winning Game 1 of a Playoff series since 2015 with lone loss in 2016 Finals versus Cavaliers. They are now 24-2 in Playoff series under Coach Kerr (lone two losses 2016 Finals Versus Cavaliers & 2019 Finals Versus Raptors). Gone 14-4 since 2015 in Game 5s.

                          Stephen Curry In Winning Finals MVP                                                 
Became 7^th Player In NBA History To Win Four Titles and Multiple Kia MVPs:
joined Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell,
Tim Duncan, and Lakers’ LeBron James.

Became The Second Oldest NBA History To Win Finals MVP For First Time:
Wilt Chamberlin.

Became The Sixth Different In NBA History To Win All-Star Game MVP And
Finals MVP, joining Shaquille O’Neal, Willis Reed, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Became The Fifth Player To win Multiple Finals MVP, Multiple Kia MVPs and All-Star Game MVP, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Lakers’ LeBron James, and Wilt Chamberlin.

Right before the start of free agency 2022, Warriors GM Bob Myers said in late June the goal was to re-sign their seven free agents, even though the team entered this offseason nearly $25 million over the luxury tax threshold. Not to mentioned but the repeater penalties.

The Warriors did say goodbye to Otto Porter, Jr., Gary Payton II, and Juan Toscano-Anderson who signed in the offseason with the Raptors, Lakers, and Trail Blazers respectably. Nemanja Bjelica at the start of July informed the Warriors that he is returning to Turkey to play for Fenerbache, who he played for from 2013-15.

With Payton II he had yet to be able to stick with one team for a period of time and signed with the Trail Blazers for a near-max salary once the tax implications were factored in had he re-signed with the Warriors. 

The Warriors also at the start of July signed former Bucks’ guard Donte DiVincenzo (9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg in 42 games w/Bucks & Kings), who is looking to regain his footing after a broken ankle sidelined him during the Bucks’ title run in 2021 Playoffs and was part of a four-team deal that sent him to the Kings at Feb. 10 trade deadline.

The addition of DiVincenzo gives the Warriors a combo guard who can shoot and defend. Meaning Curry and Thompson will be able to play reduced minutes to remain fresh for their next Playoff run this spring.

In early August, the Warriors signed veteran forward JaMychal Green (6.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 48.6 FG% w/Nuggets), who was traded to the Thunder in late June before the 2022 NBA Draft.  

Green bring a veteran presence to where he can score in the paint and shoot outside, plays hard and will nearly all the time make the right play on both ends. That should gain Green plenty of fan fair from those in attendance at Chase Center, his teammates and Coach Kerr and his staff.

The Warriors did bring back Looney on a new three-year, $25.5 million deal. He was solid throughout the Playoffs, especially in the 2022 West Finals against the Mavericks, where he averaged 10.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in 2022 West Finals.

The Warriors will also have veteran forward/guard Andre Iguodala, the 2015 Finals MVP back as well for what he said on his “Point Forward” podcast his 19 and Final NBA season.

“I’m letting you know now, Steph [Curry], this is the last one, Iguodala said Sept. 23.

They also made the decision to pay free agents next offseason in Poole and Wiggins now. Right before the start of this season Poole, who will make about $4 million in 2022-23 got a four-year, $140 million extension. Wiggins got four-year, $109 million deal extension. 

The biggest addition to the Warriors this season will be James Wiseman, who is set to return after being on the shelf for one-plus seasons with a torn meniscus in his right knee. The last time the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 Draft played was Apr. 10, 2021, versus the Rockets.

He did get back onto the floor during the Warriors Summer League in Las Vegas and showed signs that he is rounding into form.

At the start of last season, the Warriors were in the conversation of being one of the last teams standing and holding the Larry O’Brien trophy for 2021-22. Their injuries to their “Core Three” during the season put their chances of getting it all together though came into play.

They got Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green back into the fold come Playoff time and made it happen going 16-7 in the 2022 Playoffs and won their aforementioned seventh title overall, including their fourth Larry O’Brien trophy the last eight seasons.

“They’ve seen me all summer all over their screens. They’ve heard my voice all summer. But I told them, ‘Don’t let us win a championship,’” Green said to NBATV’s Dennis Scott on Media Day about the public hearing his voice throughout the offseason. “And quite frankly, they didn’t let us win. They just couldn’t stop it.”

Winning a second straight title will not be easy, especially in an even more stacked Western Conference. Not to mention the energy that has to be mustered when you are the target of the other 29 other teams.

“You’ve got to get emotionally and physically recharged,” Curry said to Scott about what the Warriors will need to make another title run this season. “I think once the season starts, it becomes kind of easy. But this part of the year, training camp and gearing back up. That short turnaround that we love because you’re playing into June. But re-engaging emotionally and what that journey is, that’s how we’ve got to level up.”   

With the “Core Three” back again along with the supporting cast of youngsters in James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody and veterans in JaMychal Green and Donte DiVincenzo alongside Kevon Looney, the Warriors have the depth and experience to win it all again. They remain healthy and the young guys can continue to grow into their roles, the Warriors have a major chance of winning title No. 5 in the last nine seasons and their 8^th title in their history.

“We’ve proved last year that we’re back. But now, we’ve got to stay there,” Coach Kerr said to Scott about the Warriors defending their place atop the NBA mountain as defending champions again. “It’s not easy. There’s kind of two ways you can go after a title. You can get complacent and fall down the hill. Or you can kind of keep fighting and try to do it again. That’s the goal.”

Green echoed those same sentiments saying to Scott, “We’re winners, you know. We win. Everything we do is so that we can win.”

“It’s never about what can I do myself? It’s always about what can we do for each other to make each other better. And I think so many teams lose on that side of things. We’ll never beat ourselves based on something that I’m trying to do for me.”

Best Case Scenario: The Warriors are a Top 3 Seed in the stacked Western Conference. Curry is in the conversation for his third Kia MVP. Klay Thompson with a full offseason returns to being one of the best two-way players in the game. . 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 West Semis.

Worst Case Scenario: The Warriors do not reach The Finals.  

Grade: A

Houston Rockets: 20-62 (5^th Southwest Division; missed the playoffs) 11-30 at home, 9-32 on the road.

-109.7 ppg-19^th; opp. ppg: 118.2-30^th; 42.0 rpg-30^th

For a second straight season, the Houston Rockets struggled mightily to win games as they continue to recover from the expected deep plunge, they suffered from the dealing the 2018 Kia MVP in the early part of 2020-21 season. They labored through multiple losing streaks, which led to them finishing with the least number of wins in “The Association” in 2021-22. The good news for the Rockets is they put up some snapshots of progress and excitement from their young core, particularly their backcourt, that they hope can get them back into Playoff contention soon rather later. With another young piece added to the mix of young talent current in “H-Town,” the goal for the Rockets this season is to have the collective talent get while also winning more games that will turn on the afterburner of this rebuild. 

In their first full season without perennial All-Star and 2018 Kia MVP James Harden, the Rockets as expected struggled right out the gates starting 1-16, which included an NBA season-high 15-game losing streak (Oct. 24, 2021-Nov. 24, 2021).

The Rockets responded with a seven-game winning streak (Nov. 24, 2021-Dec. 10, 2021) to bring their record to 8-16 following a 114-104 win versus the Nets in Harden’s return game. The Rockets would only win consecutive games only twice the remainder of last season (Jan. 16-21; Mar. 25-28), compiling a 12-46 mark the rest of 2021-22.

Rockets Losing Streaks Following Being 8-16 On Dec. 8, 2021
12-Game Skid:  Feb. 4-Mar. 16, 2022
8-Game Skid:    Dec. 20, 2021-Jan. 5, 2022
7-Game Skid:    Mar. 28-Apr. 10, 2022
5-Game Skid:    Mar. 11-21, 2022
4-Game Skid:    Jan. 21-Feb. 2, 2022
3-Game Skid:    Jan. 7-12, 2022
2-Game Skid:    Dec. 10-13, 2021; Dec. 15-18, 2021

It did not matter if the Rockets played at home or on the road, they struggled to win games under first-year head coach Stephen Silas, the son of former Celtic and longtime NBA head coach Paul Silas.

With back-to-back road wins at the Trail Blazers Mar 25 (125-106) and 26 (115-98) came on the heels of an 11-game road losing streak as they went 2-13 their final 15 road games since their 116-11 1 win at the Jazz, which snapped a two-game road winning streak and a 3-2 mark during their five-game road trip.

Their best road win of 2021-22 came on Jan. 19 with a 116-111 victory at the Jazz on Jan 19.

It did not get much better for the Rockets who won only 11 times last season at Toyota Center.

                      Losing Streaks At Home By The Rockets 2021-22                         
11 Straight Defeats: Oct. 24, 2021-Nov. 24, 2021
5 Straight Defeats: Feb. 6-Mar. 6, 2022
5 Straight Defeats: Mar. 28-Apr. 10, 2022
4 Straight Defeats: Oct. 24, 2021-Nov. 24, 2021
4 Straight Defeats: Mr. 11-21, 2022

The Rockets struggle can be attributed to their erratic offense and their mediocre defense a season ago.

While the Rockets led the NBA in free throw attempts at 24.5 in 2021-22, they were dead last (30^th) in free accuracy making on 71.3 percent of their free throws. While they ranked No. 4 and No. 7 respectably a season ago in three attempted (38.7) and made (13.5), the Rockets in 2021-22 were ranked No. 24 in overall field goal percentage (45.6%) and No. 21 in three-point percentage (34.9%).

The Rockets last season allowed opponents to shoot on average 48.3 percent from the field, which ranked No. 29, next to last in the league. They were No. 17 in opponents three-point percentage (35.3 %); 21 in opponents threes attempted (36.2) and 20^th in threes made (12.8). They ranked dead last in rebounding differential at -3.6 and were ranked No. 17 and 15 respectably in steals (7.3) and block shots (4.7).  

Even with the struggles by the Rockets, they collected victories that were not very often reflected in the win-loss column.

They saw major promise in youngsters Jalen Green (17.3 ppg), Kevin Porter, Jr. (15.6 ppg, 6.2 apg, 4.4 rpg, 37.5 3-Pt.%) and Jae’Sean Tate (11.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 49.8 FG%).

Early last season, Green flashed some of the offensive explosiveness and athleticism he displayed that made him the No. 2 overall pick by the Rockets in 2021 Draft.

He displayed that athleticism as well as his ability to make shots, especially from three.

In the Rockets 107-97 loss Oct. 24, 2021, versus the eventual Eastern Conference champion Celtics, Green scored a then career-high 30 points on 11/18 from the field, including 8/10 from three-point range. At 19, Green became the first teenager in franchise history to score 30 points in a game as well as set the single-game record for made threes with 8. Green also tied for most threes made in a game.

Green missed 14 straight games (Nov. 27, 2021-Dec. 3, 2021) with a strained left hamstring and 15 games overall in 2021-22 Rockets went 8-7 without Green (12-55 w/Green) in the lineup.

After some early season struggles during his rookie season, Green found his groove and played solidly down the stretch of 2021-22.

Before the All-Star break, Green averaged 14.6 points on 38.7 percent from the field and 31.1 percent from three-point range. Those averages went up to 22.1 points on 47.6 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from three post All-Star break.

The 2021-22 All-Rookie First Team selection a season ago led all rookies in the 2021-22 with 26 games scoring 20-plus points, including leading all rookies with eight games scoring 30 points or more, including reaching that 30-point mark in six out of final seven games of 2021-22.

Green’s 157 total made threes in 2021-22 (157/458 3-Pt.), which led all rookies' last season.

Most Made Threes In A Season By Rookie In Rockets History
Jalen Green     2021-22    157 made threes
Matt Maloney 1996-97    154 made threes
Luther Head   2005-06    114 made threes
Steve Francis  1999-00    107 made threes

                     Most Made Threes In A Game By A Player In NBA                                              
Yogi Ferrell Feb. 2, 2017 Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers 9/11 3-Pt. had 32 points 11/17 FGs
(won 108-104).
Rodrique Beaubois Mar. 3, 2010 Mavericks vs. Warriors 9/11 3-Pt. had 40 points on 15/22 shooting (111-90 win).
Jalen Green Oct. 24, 2021 Celtics vs. Rockets 8/10 3-Pt. had 30 points 11/18 shooting (107-97 loss).

Green finished his rookie season in style with a career-high 41 points on 14/26 from the field with four made threes (4/11 3-Pt.) and 9/11 at the foul line in the Rockets 130-114 loss Apr. 10 versus the Hawks.

There were times last season that Porter, Jr. showed he can be a prolific player in the NBA with his ability to score, pass, and rebound as he showed with 10 double-doubles last season after authoring a total of four double-doubles his first two NBA seasons.

To close last season, Green and Porter, Jr., the two key pillars in the Rockets possible bright and shiny future each scored 20-plus points in 17 of the team’s final 25 games of 2021-22.

After registering his first two NBA seasons three and nine games with 20-plus points with the Cavaliers and Rockets respectably (2019-21), he totaled 16 games with 20 points or more a season ago, which included four games scoring 30 or more after totaling two such games his first two NBA seasons.

In the Rockets 121-118 loss versus the Kings on Mar. 30, Porter, Jr. had his first career triple-double with 30 points, 12 assists, and a career-high 12 rebounds on 11/17 shooting with four made threes (4/10 3-Pt.). Porter, Jr. joined the Lakers’ LeBron James, former Buck and Pistons guard Brandon Jennings, and Hawks Trae Young as the only players in NBA history to register a 50-point game and a triple-double before age 22. Porter, Jr. in the Rockets’ 143-136 victory Apr. 29, 2021, versus the eventual NBA champion Bucks scored 50 points with 11 assists, and five boards on 16/26 shooting, including 9/15 from three and 9/11 at the charity stripe.

Along with continuing to mature as an NBA player, which led to a one-game suspension Jan. 3 at 76ers for misconduct, Porter, Jr. battle through some injuries issues a season missing a total of 21 games due to bruised left thigh (missed three games: Nov. 17-24, 2021; missed 12 straight games: Dec. 5-28, 2021); health and safety protocols; undisclosed illness (missed two straight games: Feb. 16-25, 2022); and sprained left ankle (missed two straight games (Feb. 27-Mar. 4, 2022).

The understudy to both Green and Porter, Jr. a season ago was rookie Josh Christopher (7.9 ppg, 44.8 FG%) who flashed that he can be a very capable two-way player off the bench for the Rockets. He registered five games scoring 20 or more, including a season-high 30 points on 11/14 from the field, including 3/5 from three in the Rockets 139-132 loss Apr. 3 versus the Timberwolves.

Another rookie who flashed for the Rockets a season ago was center Alperen Sengun (9.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 47.4 FG%), who spent a majority of last season as the backup to then starting center Christian Wood and was steady in his backup minutes. But he really came on at the end of last season in all facets as a scorer, rebounder, passer, and overall defender.

In the Rockets 139-130 overtime win Mar. 9 versus the Lakers, Sengun had one of his eight double-doubles on the season 21 points and 14 rebounds with two steals and two block shots on 9/20 shooting in 40 minutes

He registered 27 points on 10/16 from the floor with seven boards in the Rockets aforementioned late March win (115-98) at the Trail Blazers on the back end of their back-to-back set in Portland, OR.

Alperen Sengun Production By Month In 2021-22
   Month      PPG   RPG   FG%  
Oct.   2021    9.6       5.5    47.4%   
Nov.  2021    8.3       4.5    52.0%
Dec.  2021    9.6       4.8     50.9%
Jan.  2022    6.7       3.4     40.0%
Feb.  2022    9.6       5.8     47.9%
Mar. 2022  11.3       6.9     44.7%
Apr. 2022   13.5      8.5     50.0%

While the Rockets seemed to have found their headliners possibly for the future, they also have stumbled these last two seasons two capable role players who can prove to be just as valuable in Kenyon Martin, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 53.3 FG%, 35.7 3-Pt.%) and Jae’Sean Tate (11.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 49.8 FG%).

For a team that at times lacks poise and leadership and a willingness to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor, the Martin, Jr., the son of former No. 1 overall pick Kenyon Martin, Sr. who played 15 NBA seasons with the Nets, Nuggets, Clippers, Knicks, and Bucks has provided that steadiness and grit off the bench. He even improved his marksmanship on his three-point shot going from 60 made threes (60/84 3-Pt.) in his rookie season of 2020-21 to making 78 triples (78/123 3-Pt.) last season.

In the aforementioned Rockets win versus the Lakers, Martin, Jr. started and had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds on 7/12 shooting, including 3/6 from three-point range.

Martin, Jr. said at Media Day on Oct. 5 that he got in the gym, got way stronger and focused on improving his game. He also addressed about the rumors about him being traded saying that he “just here to do” his job and “try to get better every day.”

“These past two I’ve been here I feel like I got better each year, and in the summer, I feel like improved also. So, Day one, I’m just here do what do and make space for myself,” Martin Jr.

Adding when asked if can see himself as part of the Rockets’ future, Martin, Jr. said “Yeah. Like I keep saying, I’m just here to do my job. Everything else is between upper management, my agents. This summer, my goal was to get better and try to make my team better. I feel like I got better. So, going into the season, just try to win as many games as possible and keep moving forward.”   

While he may lake a consistent stroke from the perimeter, Tate, who went undrafted out of Ohio State has proven in his first two NBA season a very capable energy guy who will hustle and defend. He registered seven double-doubles a season ago after totaling three as a rookie in 2020-21.

Another player who got a chance to prove his worth is sharp-shooter Garrison Mathews (10.0 ppg, 36.0 3-Pt.%), who made a career-best 139 total threes a season ago after totaling 95 made triples (95/244 3-Pt.) his first two NBA seasons with Wizards. That earned Mathews a four-year, $8 million deal with the Rockets on in the middle of December 2021.

“It was a tough journey. Not staying in Washington and not knowing where my next home would be. It took a lot work and thankfully found a home here [with Rockets] and signed a four-year deal. Very thankful for that and it’s been great,” Mathews said at Media Day on Oct. 5 about his journey to his new contract with the Rockets.

In the Rockets previously mentioned road win at the Jazz on Jan. 19, Mathews, who went undrafted out of Lipscomb University had a season-high tying 23 points with two block shots on 5/9 from three and 8/10 at the foul line in 30 minutes off the bench. 

Along with accumulating talent for the present and future, Rockets GM Rafael Stone, who took over for now 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey also has made it a point to keep the Rockets salary cap clean.

In a deal with the Celtics at the Feb. 10 trade deadline, the Rockets acquired veterans in guard Dennis Schroder and center Enes Freedom, and center Bruno Fernando.

To kick off their continued rebuild this offseason, the Rockets traded their most consistent player a season ago in center Christian Wood, for basically spare parts: four expiring contracts in forward/guard Sterling Brown, forward/center Marquese Chriss, center Boban Marjanovic, and guard Trey Burke, and the draft rights to forward Wendell Moore (No. 26 overall pick) out of Duke University.

With the Rockets still in the throngs of a rebuild and not wanting to cook their financial books or roster flexibility by giving a player like Wood, an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The Rockets also feel that Sengun needs those minutes vacated by Wood at the center spot to see if he is just as effective. Plus, he is cheaper at the moment.

This past late June, the Rockets in the 2022 Draft selected at No. 3 overall forward Jabari Smith, Jr our of Auburn University. With the No. 17 overall pick, the Rockets selected forward Tari Eason out of LSU.

In a Draft night trade with the Timberwolves, the Rockets acquired the draft rights to guard TyTy Washington (No. 29 overall pick) out of University of Kentucky, a 2025 and 2027 Second Round picks in exchange for the draft rights to Moore.

Smith, Eason, and Washington are three highly regarded selections that should be in the playing rotation and have impacts immediately for Coach Silas.

Smith, 19 (16.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 42.0 3-Pt.% w/Tigers), who unexpectedly dropped to the Rockets at No. 3 overall in the draft brings elite marksmanship from the perimeter, especially from three-point range, where he connected on 79 of his threes in his lone season for the Tigers.

Highest Drafted Players Out of Auburn In Common Draft Era (1966)
Jabari Smith, Jr. 2022  No. 3 Overall By Rockets
Chris Morris   1988      No. 4 Overall By Nets (then New Jersey Nets)
Chuck Person 1986      No. 4 Overall By Pacers
Isaac Okoro    2020      No. 5 Overall By Cavaliers
Charles Barkley 1984  No. 5 Overall By 76ers

Smith, Jr.’s head coach at Auburn Bruce Pearl called him, “The best college shooting big man.

“I feel like I can fit in any NBA system with my shooting ability and love for defense. I feel like I can come in right away and just make an instate impact,” Smith said on Draft night of June 23 to ESPN’s Monica McNutt about how his game in college will translate to the NBA.

The 2021-22 AP Second Team All-American is versatile defender who can play either small forward or power forward.  Has a high release on his jump shot which and can shoot off the catch or off the dribble, from mid-range, pull ups and can hit contested jumpers. He also has a high release point on his jumper He is also an excellent driver with the ability to finish with either hand.

He had some flashes as well as some struggles at Las Vegas Summer League over the summer with shooting averages of 37.7 from the floor and 25.9 percent from three-point range while averaging 14.4 points and 9.4 boards.

“He is a such a gifted defensive player like now,” Coach Silas said about Smith, Jr. said at Media Day on Sept. 26 about his defensive capabilities. “So, harping on what he does offensively and some of the shots that he makes or misses, we’ll teach him that and he’ll learn that. But him as a defender is what I’m so, so excited about it.”

Smith, Jr, along with being exceptionally skilled and talented has a great work ethic and a high motor when he is on the hardwood.

In high school before the day began, Smith, Jr. would text the janitor to ask if he could be there to let him in to get a workout in before school. He would have four peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in his backpack to give him the necessary energy to get through the day.

That work ethic is not by accident as he is the son of former NBA player Jabari Smith, Sr., the No. 45 overall pick in 2000 and played for the Kings (2000-01 and 2003-04), 76ers (2001-02) and the then New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets (2004-05) and also overseas (2002; 2006-10).

When asked by McNutt the best advice he gave his son at the start of his NBA career, Smith, Sr. said for Smith, Jr. to “stay humble” and “get ready to work.”

He added, “That it’s a job and you got to treat it as that. It’s a sport second and it’s a job first.”

To remind himself to always be humble, Smith Jr. has a tattoo on the right side of his chest that says, “Forever Humble” and a tattoo on the left side of his chest that says, “No matter how high you get never forget where you came from.”

The Rockets are also getting a rookie that is highly motivated that he did not go No. 1 overall to the Magic and said during his interview on Draft night to ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Kendrick Perkins, and Jay Bilas that the Rockets are getting a “hard worker,” and “competitor.”

“Somebody who doesn’t like to lose. All I care about is that W,” Smith, Jr. added.

He also said that he is coming into his rookie season with not just winning Rookie of the Year but wants to win games and make the Playoffs. 

Eason (16.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.9 spg w/Tigers), who played collegiately first at University of Cincinnati before transferring to LSU also brings versatility to play either small forward or power forward.

The difference between Smith, Jr. and the 2021-22 First Team All-SEC selection and 2021-22 SEC Sixth Man of the Year in Eason is his game is at its best closer to the rim and can get down and dirty with the best in the paint.

He is not afraid to mix it up on both ends with the ability to rebound, especially on the offensive glass. Also has a solid jump shot and is a solid foul shooter.

“I mean, it’s super special,” Eason said at Media Day about being someone seen as an integral part of the Rockets future. “We’re a really young team. We’ve got a lot of opportunity to just learn and grow and come together as a team this year. So, I’m super fortunate, super thankful to be in this position.”

He added about what he will be able to translate what he did in Summer League in Las Vegas, where he made the All-NBA Sumer League team is to just “continue working day-by-day.”

“I think that’s one thing I’ve kind of just hung my hat on regardless or anything that comes with this. Just continue to keep the main thing the main thing.” 

Last season, the Rockets kept a healthy veteran five-time All-Star guard John Wall on the sidelines a season ago in favor of Porter, Jr. to find out if he had the right instincts to play point guard. That turned out to be no given the total of 192 turnovers, which equated to 3.1 per contest a season ago.

Enter Washington (12.9 ppg, 3.9 apg w/Wildcats), the 2021-22 Second Team All-SEC selection and SEC All-Freshmen Team selection brings a great feel for the game. He can make plays off the pick-and-roll whether positioning himself to shoot a runner, floater pull-up or pull up jumper. Last season at Kentucky, Washington shot 52 percent on his running jumpers and floaters.

In his first game playing point guard at Kentucky in 2021-22, Washington had 17 assists, breaking the Wildcats’ single-game record ironically enough once held by Wall.

Washington will get the chance to earn minutes as a rookie for the Rockets because of his ball-handling and being able to effectively operate in the pick-and-roll.

The key for Washington though is to improve his assist/turnover ratio which was only 2.5 assists for every turnover with the Wildcats last season. Also, against Top 25 competition, he only averaged 10 points on 35 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range.

The other reason, the Rockets on June 27 reached a buyout agreement with Wall, 31 where he gave back $6.5 of his $47.4 million salary that he opted into for this upcoming season on June 21.

The Rockets officially signed Tate on July 6 to a three-year, $22.1 million deal, which includes a $7.1 million team option in the final year of the deal. The Rockets declined Tate’s $1.8 million team option for 2022-23, which made him an unrestricted free agent.

In the span of five years, Tate went from being undrafted out of Ohio State in 2018 after his senior season and played overseas first in Belgium and then Australia before being signed by the Rockets in 2020 and making the 2020-21 All-Rookie First Team. Tate in the first year of his new deal will make $7.1 million followed by $6.5 million in the second year of the deal.

At Media Day when asked about improving his accuracy from three-point range, Tate said it was just about “getting reps” up. Making sure that he is “constantly” shooting the same shot with his trainer Stephon Martinez, especially improving his accuracy on shooting threes from the corners.

“That wasn’t just the main focus,” Tate added about what he worked on his game this offseason. “Just being a better all-around basketball [player] just been my main focus this year and just bringing that defensive energy that we’re going to need to this year and trying to teach these young guys is what I’ve really been focusing on.”

“The shooting will come. I think that’ll be the icing on the cake.” 

In a late September trade with the Thunder, the Rockets dealt guard David Nwaba, Brown, Burke, and Chriss to the Thunder in exchange for forward/center Derrick Favors, guard Ty Jerome, veteran forward Maurice Harkless, guard Theo Maldeon, and a 2025 Second Round pick (via Hawks). The Rockets acquired that Second-Round pick for taking on $1 million in salary.

The Rockets in the immediate, the Rockets are likely to finish the basement of the Western Conference as they continue to be a grooming ground for First Round picks, which is to be expected as the boys from “H-Town” try to rebuild themselves into a postseason perennial. If things go according to plan, the Rockets should be back in the Playoff mix hopefully in the next couple of seasons.

That becoming a reality will all depend on the development of Green, Porter, Jr., Sengun,  Smith, Jr., Eason, and Washington.

As last season progressed, the game slowed down for Green, which resulted in him having big scoring nights. Now he has to be able to combine that ability to score the ball, where he shot just 42.6 percent from the floor and 34.3 percent from three-point range with making plays for his teammates. The opposing team in their game plans are going to make it their business to take Green out of the offense. Meaning he has to be able to counter that beginning this season as well as becoming a better defender and leader.”

“I think ending that season last year just knowing where my mentality was at and just knowing what we need to come out, playing hard, playing together. Turning defense into offense because that was a lot of the fault last year going in,” Green, who became the second rookie in Rockets history to average at least 17-plus points on 40-plus percent from the floor and 34-plus percent on his triple tries said at Media Day about why Rockets struggled to win games last season.

“Couldn’t lock up defensively and get stops. So, I think going into this year just doing that.”

Green added that from an individual standpoint, Green added that he wants to continue to score the ball but wants to be a more efficient scorer while also being a better ball handler off the pick-and-roll to be able to shoot from the mid-range as well as being a better ball handler and passer to be more capable of “making plays” for his teammates, while trying “to be a leader” and get more wins.  

They also need Porter, Jr. to continue to mature both as a player and as a person. Two seasons back, Porter Jr. was dealing with a lot from a personal standpoint. When he was traded to the Rockets from the Cavaliers last season and was paired with assistant coach John Lucas, he got his game and his life back on track. He has been on solid ground for the most part though he has had a couple of hiccups.

When Porter, Jr. has been focused, he has shown he can be the best player on the floor. The Rockets feel the same and they did extend him for four more years at $82.5 million at the start of this week.

“I stopped kind of worrying about that last year and it’s been that” Porter, Jr. said about his contract situation. “I got a team that represents me and they handle that part. For me, I just come in here and try to become the best player. It hasn’t been weighing on me because that’s been by mindset.”

Porter Jr. added about where he is life is at now that he “found joy” in “everyday life” not just playing basketball but being able to just “waking up,” “drinking water,” being able to walk and run.

“Once I’ve was able to count the small things being a blessing again, it kind of helped me with everything in every aspect of life,” Porter, Jr. said about his life being in a good place. “The Rockets gave me the opportunity to even get to this point. So, without the year I had last year, I wouldn’t have discovered what this space would be and it’s a dope space to be in and I’ve been in it for a very long time. So, I plan on staying and letting this be where I am now.”

The space the Rockets would like Sengun to be in is one where his scoring, rebounding, and passing take a major step in his second NBA season.

Sengun acknowledge at Media Day that he has to play “good defense” as well be a consistent rebounder. But  also said that he will still stay true to his game while also being able to “play tough” on both ends.

Then there is the question of what happens with veteran guard Eric Gordon (13.4 ppg, 475. FG%, 41.2 3-Pt.%), missed 25 games with a multitude of injuries from right groin tightness, an injured foot, illness, and a sore right hamstring.

While the Rockets went just 19-38 with Gordon in the lineup, they were an abysmal 1-24 without Gordon in 2021-22.

With the Rockets being so young, they need someone like Gordon not just because of his veteran experience but he is still a solid contributor offensively, especially from three-point range, where he made 124 triples a season ago (124/301 3-Pt.). Also, he is a willing and capable defender.

“I think I ended the year pretty good. Ended the year healthy. Going into this year with another young group where everybody is still trying to figure out their role and trying to be better for this upcoming year. We’ve got three new young talented guys and we just got to acclimate them to definitely better and better as a whole,” Gordon said at Media Day about last season and entering this season.

Gordon also at Media Day addressed his possible impending free agency as he has a non-guaranteed part on his deal for 2023-24 season. While business is business, Gordon said that he has “always like Houston.” He has been traded before in his career and said that he has been on both sides of team rebuilding and competing for a title like the Rockets did a few years ago.

“It’s been great being here going on seven years…Here, I just looking on just having a good year and looking forward to being progressive,” Gordon said.

“Whether it’s on a good team or a bad team, whatever I bring to the table, it’s just a winning attitude. I’ve showed winning teams I’m willing to sacrifice for the very good of the team to take a lesser role. But still try to play at a high level. It doesn’t matter on this team. I’m going to be best player I can be.” 

The Rockets made the Playoffs for eight straight seasons (2013-20), reaching the 2015 and 2018 Western Conference Finals, falling in five and seven games respectably to the now seven-time NBA champion Warriors. Their .619 winning percentage as a result of a 413-233 record was the third best in the NBA trailing only the Spurs (432-231 record) and Warriors (435-204 record).

Since saying goodbye first to Russell Westbrook in December 2020 and then James Harden January 2021, the Rockets over the past two seasons 37-117 the last two seasons.

The Rockets young core should make progress this season and not labor through multiple double-digit losing streaks as they did a season ago. But the growing pains will still continue for the young Rockets, especially in the loaded Western Conference.

While the young core of rookies Jabari Smith, Jr., Tari Eason, and TyTy Washington; three second-year players in Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Usman Garuba, (who missed a majority of last season) will need time to develop cohesion on both ends.

Regardless of what happens to the roster outside of the aforementioned six youngsters the Rockets are counting on this season and moving forward, two things they should feel optimistic about. One, they should be in more competitive games and that they have plenty of flexibility with their roster and their draft picks.

The main question is though will head coach Stephen Silas be their sideline leader when the Rockets get things right.

At Media Day, Coach Silas got props from the other opposing coaches at the end of last season and at the NBA Coach’s meetings two weeks prior to Media Day on how they needed to play at their best because of the competitiveness the Rockets showed at the end of last season, which gives hope for even better things to come in 2022-23.

“I’m super excited about this season. I’m excited that we have a group that I’ve been with for a little while and they have more experience than they’ve had in the past,” Coach Silas said at Media Day.

“The main thing that we’re going to be is super hard to play against on both ends of the floor. We’re going to use our quickness and athleticism on the offensive end. But we’re going to use it at the defensive as well. So, look for improvement on both ends.”

GM Stone added, that if the Rockets become a “team that’s very hard to play” on both ends of the hardwood. That they become a team that is tough to guard and makes it hard on the opposing team’s offensive, that is the “type of step forward I think we’re looking for.”

“There’s going to be nights where the ball goes and you play badly and you win. And there will be nights where the ball doesn’t go in and you play great and you lose,” Stone added. “That’s the NBA. That’s the nature of 82 games. “I think for a team like us, an upcoming team, that the measure of success.”

Best Case Scenario: The Rockets win at least 30 games. Green and Porter, Jr. continue to grow their games on both ends. Smith, Jr. is in the conversation for Kia Rookie of the Year. The Rockets improve defensively and become more efficient offensive team.

Worst Case Scenario: The Rockets defense does not improve. They have at least three 8-game losing streaks.  have several losing streaks of 5 games or more.  

Grade: B

Los Angeles Clippers: 42-40 (3^rd Pacific Division; missed the Playoffs; 25-16 at home, 17-24 on the road); Lost in the Play-In Tournament (109-04) Apr. 12 at Minnesota Timberwolves on TNT; Lost in Play-In Tournament (105-101) Apr. 15 versus New Orleans Pelicans on TNT.

-108.4 ppg-23^rd; opp. ppg: 108.4-11^th; 44.0 rpg-19^th  

Resilient. Tough. Competitive. Relentless. Undeterred. Scrappy. Well coached. Those are the description of the 2021-22 Los Angeles Clippers. Words that could not describe their teams many years ago. They overcame injuries, particularly to their two perennial All-Star wings. Those adjectives coupled with two key trades before and at the NBA trade deadline in February got the Clippers in position to make it back to the Playoffs. They came up short in their two chances to make the 2022 Postseason in the West Play-In Tournament. With their two All-Stars back healthy, the addition of another former perennial All-Star, the goal for the Clippers in 2022-23, reach The Finals for the first time in franchise history.

The Clippers after 16-12 start to 2021-22 following a four-game winning streak (Dec. 6-15, 2021). Following a 122-104 loss on Jan. 3 versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Clippers fell to 19-19. They would float around .500 mark for the remainder of 2021-22 and would be as low as  36-39 following a five-game losing streak from Mar. 14-29. They would rebound to win six out of their final seven games to close last season, which included a five-game winning streak from Apr. 1-10, including going 4-0 on their season-concluding four-game home stand. That was part of 13-4 finish at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers also were in position to make the Playoffs because of their 23-12 mark against sub .500 teams in 2021-22.

Head Coach Tyronn Lue’s squad began behind the eight ball in 2021-22 when five-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP with the Spurs (2014) and Raptors (2019) Kawhi Leonard missed all of last season with a partial tear of his right ACL suffered in Game 4 of 2021 Western Conference Finals on TNT.

Paul George (24.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.7 apg-career-high, 2.2 spg, 35.4 3-Pt.%) missed in total 51 games in 2021-22 including 45 straight games (Dec. 26, 2021-Mar. 29, 2022) due to a tear in his right elbow.  

Clippers last season went 20-24 those 44 games without George in the lineup and were 24-27 in 2021-22 when George was on the shelf due to injury.

While George was not as efficient with his shooting as season ago at 42.1 percent, he scored 20-plus points in 22 of the 41 games he did play, including seven games with 39-plus points.  

Clippers Since             72-32 with Leonard and George in lineup
2019-20 season             35-26 with only George
(including Playoffs)    18-11 with only Leonard
                                     30-34 without both Leonard and George.

Without the services of Leonard all last season and and George for most of 2021-22, the scoring responsibilities by the Clippers was done by committee.

That was led by starting lead guard Reggie Jackson (16.8 ppg, 4.8 apg, 3.6 rpg).  

In the games that George and Jackson did play together a season ago, they went 8-2 when both scored 20 or more. 

Jackson a season ago authored 23 games scoring 20 or more, the fourth most of his 10-year NBA career that also included four games scoring 30 or more, the second most in a season by Jackson (eight games scoring 30 or more in 2015/16 w/Pistons).

In the Clippers 132-111 victory Mar. 3 versus the rival Lakers on TNT, Jackson scored 12 of his season-high 36 points in the fourth quarter to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds on 14/30 shooting and 4/8 from three-point range.

Jackson had one of his five double-doubles a season ago with 31 points and 10 rebounds with three steals in the Clippers 112-104 loss versus the Mavericks Nov. 23, 2021. 

Three seasons back, the Clippers acquired Marcus Morris, Sr. (15.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 36.7 3-Pt.%) from the Knicks to bring toughness, defense, and another sniper from three-point range. He did that and then some a season ago.  

For the second time in the last three seasons, Morris, Sr. registered over 20 games scoring 20 or more points at 22 (25 such games total in 2019-20 w/Knicks & Clippers).

Morris, Sr. had his 12^th career 30-plus point game with a season-high of 31 points with seven rebounds on 10/19 shooting, including 3/5 from three and 8/8 at the foul line in the Clippers 106-102 victory Mar. 13 at Pistons.

Over the last three seasons when Morris, Sr. has scored 20 or more, the Clippers have gone 22-11.

How did the Clippers remain in the postseason chase? To start, they played consistently on the defensive end game-by-game.

 

Clippers Defensive Ranks 2021-22
45.0 opp. FG%: 6^th NBA
34.5 opp. 3-Pt.%: 7^th NBA
33.9 opp. 3-Pt. attempts: 9^th NBA
11.7 opp. made 3-Pt.: 5^th NBA
5.0 Blocks: T-8^th NBA w/Wizards

Clippers last season went 17-2 when holding opponents under 100 points (only losses: Oct. 27, 2021 92-79 versus Cavaliers and Nov. 19, 2021 at Pelicans).

To add some more scoring and defensive punch to the Clippers attack, they on Feb. 4 in a deal with the Trail Blazers acquired forward/guard Norman Powell and forward Robert Covington in exchange for guard Eric Bledsoe, forward/guard Justise Winslow, guard Keon Johnson, and a 2025 Second Round pick (via Pistons).

In a four-team deal with the Bucks, Kings, and Pistons to shed some salary, the Clippers acquired the expiring contract of forward/guard Rodney Hood and forward Semi Ojeleye from the Bucks and the draft rights to guard Vanja Morinkovic from the Kings (No. 60 overall pick in 2019 Draft). They deal the draft rights to David Michineau (No. 39 overall pick in 2016 Draft to the Kings and sent forward/center Serge Ibaka to the Bucks along with cash considerations.

The additions of Covington (8.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg 1.5 spg, 37.1 3-Pt.% in 71 games w/Trail Blazers & Clippers) and Powell (19.0 ppg, 46.1 FG%, 41.9 3-Pt.% in 45 games w/Trail Blazers & Clippers) added to a solid supporting cast of the aforementioned Jackson, Morris, Sr., Luke Kennard (11.9 ppg, 44.9 FG%, 44.9 3-Pt.%), Terence Mann (10.8 ppg, 5. 2 rpg, 48.4 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%), Nicolas Batum (8.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 46.3 FG%, 40 3-Pt.%), and Amir Coffey (9.0 ppg, 45.3 FG%, 37.8 3-Pt.%) made up 40.0 points scoring average off the bench, second only to 40.5 bench scoring average of Heat last seasons.

The problem was that Coach Lue could not really see what this cast could do together for a lengthy period because of injury.

Morris, Sr. missed 28 games in total in 2021-22. He was on the shelf the first 15 games of last season (Oct. 25, 2021-Nov. 23, 2021) due to a left knee issue. He also missed time being in health and safety protocols (four games Dec. 18-27, 2021) missed a total of four games (Jan. 19 at Nuggets; three straight games (Jan. 25-30, 2022) personal.

Powell after only playing his first two games with Clippers before fracturing his left foot in the team’s 112-105 loss Feb. 10 at the Mavericks that had him out for 23 straight games.

Kennard missed a total of 12 games in 2021-22, 10 of those 12 games were because of being in health and safety protocols (Jan. 1-19, 2022).

Batum missed 23 games in total a season ago because of right Achilles soreness; health and safety protocols (missed nine straight games Nov. 21, 2021-Dec. 8, 2021); sprained right ankle (missed three games Dec. 11-18, 2021; Dec. 27, 2021-Jan. 6, 2022).

When Batum was in the lineup, Clippers went 31-28 and without the services of the 14-year NBA veteran, the Clippers were just 11-12 in 2021-22.

The unsung hero of last season for the Clippers though was starting center Ivica Zubac (10.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 62.6 FG%: 5^th NBA), who had career-highs across the board, including 25 double-doubles, which is the most by a Clipper since 2017-18 when now Nuggets reserve center DeAndre Jordan registered 46 double-doubles.

                        Big Games By The Clippers Young Cast 2021-22                                                
12/18/2021: Luke Kennard: 27 Pts-Season-High, 7 Rebs,  7/13 3-Pt. 104-103 Loss at Thunder.

2/14/2022: Terence Mann: 25 Pts, 7 Rebs, 6 Asts, 11/17 FGs 119-104 Win versus Warriors.

1/19/2022: Ivica Zubac: 32 Pts: Career-High, 10 Rebs, 15/19 FGs 130-128 Loss In OT at Nuggets on ESPN.

Amir Coffey: 4/0/2022: 35: New Career-High, 13 Rebs: Career-High, 13/22 FGs-7/10 3-Pt.; 7 made 3-Pt. new career-high.

Amir Coffey: 4/1/2022: 32 Pts: Then New Career-High, 6 Rebs, 7 Asts, 4 Stls, 10/16 FGs-5/9 3-Pt. 153-119 victory at Bucks.

Amir Coffey: 1/25/2022: 29 Pts-Then Career-High, 5 Rebs, 10/21 FGs, three made threes   (3/9 3-   Pt.) 116-115 at Wizards.

Along with their exceptional defense, was their ability to make threes at a high clip off of that defense.

While they shot on average just 45.8 percent from the field (21^st NBA) and were ranked just 20^th in threes attempted at 34.2, they were No. 12 in threes made at 12.8, they were No. 3 in three-point percentage at 37.4 percent. While they were dead last (30^th NBA).

Clippers 3-Pt.                        2020-21                2021-22      NBA Rank
Last Two Seasons                  48.2%    FG%      45.8%         5^th/1^st
                                                 41.1%   3-Pt.%    37.4%         1^st/3^rd    

The Clippers were one of three teams (Spurs and Nets) in 2021-22 that had two players in the Top 10 in three-point percentage.

 

 

 

 

Three Teams With Players In Top 10 In Three-Point Percentage 2021-22
Clippers: Luke Kennard:  44.9 3-Pt.%-Led NBA
                 Norman Powell: 41.8 3-Pt.%-8^th   NBA

Spurs:     Doug McDermott: 42.2 3-Pt.%-7^th   NBA
                Josh Richardson:   41.5 3-Pt.%-10^th NBA

Nets       Kyrie Irving: 41.8 3-Pt%-9^th  NBA
               Seth Curry:    42.2 3-Pt.%-6^th NBA

When the Clippers shot 50 percent or better a season ago, they went 16-4.

                       Clippers Three-Point Shooting By Player In 2021-22                               
Luke Kennard: 190/423 3-Pt.; 190 total made threes set a new career-high; made over 100 triples in total in a season for third time in his career, including a second straight season
(106/269 3-Pt.: 39.4% w/Pistons 2018-19; 100/224 3-Pt.: 44.6% in 2020-21 w/Clippers).

Reggie Jackson: 167/512 3-Pt.: 167 made threes are the second most in a season in his 10-year career (made 174 three-pointers in 2018-19; 174/471 in 2018-19 w/Pistons).

Nicolas Batum: 108/270 3-Pt.: shot 40 percent from three-point range for the second straight season (40.4 3-Pt.% in 2020-21); totaled over 100 made threes in a season for the 10^th time in his 14-year career.

Marcus Morris, Sr.: 101/275 3-Pt.: registered his 7^th season making over 100 total threes in his 11-year career.

Amir Coffey: 96/254 3-Pt.: made 6 and 23 triples respectably his first two NBA seasons (6/19 3-Pt. in 2019-20; 23/56 3-Pt. in 2020-21).

Paul George: 91/257 3-Pt.: has total 90 or more made threes in 10 of his 12 NBA seasons including in seven straight seasons. Has made over 155 total triples in 8 out of the last 10 seasons.

In the Clippers 126-115 victory Nov. 3, 2021 at the Timberwolves, they shot 58 percent on their threes, going 21/26 from behind the three-point arc, including an exceptional 9/11 from three-point range in the third quarter for 82 percent, their best percentage from three in franchise history for a quarter.

In their 153-119 win at the Bucks on Apr. 1, Clippers shot 53.5 percent from three-point range, going 23/43 on their triple tries and 60.9 percent overall from the field (56/92 FGs) in the win.

The Clippers 153 points in the win set a new single-season best in the regular season. Covington in the victory scored a career-high of 43 points with eight boards, two steals and three blocks on 15/24 shooting, including a career-high 11 made threes, going 11/18 on his triples.

That remarkable marksmanship from three-point range coupled with their defense is how the Clippers authored 10 double-digit comeback wins a season ago, which included five comeback wins from 20 points down. They also went 24-18 in clutch games a season ago and 10-5 in games decided by three points or less.

During their eight-game road trip (Jan. 19-31), the Clippers registered a 4-4 mark, where they trailed in six of the eight games. They registered two of their five 20-plus point comeback wins during this trip.

They overcame a 24-point deficit to win at the 76ers (102-101). They registered the comeback of the entire 2021-22 NBA season when they authored a 35-point comeback (down 66-36 at half) to win at the Wizards 116-115 on Jan. 25. The Clippers in the win outscored the Wizards 80-49 in the second half, including 40-27 in the third quarter  

Largest Comeback Wins In Play-By-Play Era of NBA (Since 1996-97)            
11/27/1996: Nuggets at Jazz: Jazz; Jazz 36-Point Comeback For 107-103 Win
1/25/2022: Clippers at Wizards: Clippers 35-Point Comeback For 116-115 Win
12/21/2009: Kings at Bulls: Kings 35-Point Comeback For 102-98 Win
4/30/2021: Spurs at Celtics: Celtics 32-Point Comeback For 143-140 Win In OT
12/22/2019: Mavericks at Raptors: Raptors 30-Point Comeback For 110-107 Win

Clippers first crack at making the Playoffs was a 109-104 loss in the Play-In Tournament Apr. 12 at the Timberwolves on TNT, who let a 10-point lead 93-83 with 8:54 left in the game getting outscored 26-11 to close the game to have their five-game winning streak dating back to the regular season snapped. 

After leading by eight points early in the first period were down 53-51 at half and outscored the Timberwolves 33-25 in the third quarter to lead 84-78 after three quarters. But were outscored 31-20 in the fourth quarter.

While the Clippers went 16/35 on their threes managed just 24 paint points, a season-low.

George led the way scoring 17 of his 34 points in the third quarter (5/8 Fgs: 3/5 3-Pt.) with seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals on 10/24 shooting, including 6/12 from three and 8/11 at the foul line. Jackson had 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, (7/18 FGs), going 3/6 from three. Powell had 16 points on 3/5 from three, Morris, Sr. had 12 points.

George In                   1^st Half:    9 Pts, 2/10 FGs: 1/3 3-Pt., 4/6 FTs
Play-In at                   2^nd Half: 25 Pts, 10/14 FGs: 5/9 3-Pt, 4/5 FTs
Timberwolves

The Clippers last chance to make the 2022 Playoff, they fell short at home with a 105-101 loss in their Second Play-In Game versus the Pelicans Apr. 15 on TNT, to miss the Playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Clippers were without George, who was placed in health and safety protocols that morning. Kennard (sore right hamstring) missed his second straight game.

Clippers down 16 points in the first half, and 56-46 at the half, outscored the Pelicans 38-18 in the third quarter to lead 84-74 after three quarters scoring the final 12 points of the period. The roles were reversed as the Clippers were outscored 31-17 in the fourth quarter as they were outscored 27-7 to start the final period. Clippers closed the gap to two points twice late in regulation. But in the final 1:17 of regulation, the Clippers went 0/2 from the field and 2/4 at the foul line.

Morris had 27 points to lead the Clippers with nine rebounds, and five assists (9/20 FGs), making four threes (4/11 3-Pt.). Jackson also had 27 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds and two steals. Powell had 17 points and Covington added 14 points.

The Clippers this offseason mostly came back intact with one major addition.

Governor Steve Ballmer, Team President Lawrence Frank, and GM Michael Winger first this offseason signed Covington to a two-year, $24 million extension in late June agreed to a three-year, $33 million extension for Zubac after declining his $2.5 million team option.

At the start of June, Batum declined his $3.3 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent. He re-signed officially on July 6 on a new two-year, $22 million deal. Coffey also re-signed on a three-year, $11 million deal that same day.

The major addition the Clippers made this offseason was the signing of five-time All-Star guard John Wall (20.6 ppg , 6.9 apg, 40.4 FG%, 31.7 3-Pt.% in 2020-21 w/Rockets), who came over on a two-year, $13.5 mid-level taxpayer deal.

“I don’t have to be Batman every night for us to win,” Wall said in the middle of July to ESPN about joining a loaded Clippers squad. “On our team that we have I think anybody can be Batman.”

While Wall was not hurt in his second and final season with the Rockets because of their decision to play their young core as they are in the midst of a full rebuild, he is just anxious to resume his career and restore his reputation after an Achilles injury.

Wall, who played a total 40 games in past three years with Achilles, and heel injuries was also dealing with the loss of his mother in 2019 and then not too long after that lost his grandmother. He called this time “the darkest” of his life.

He credits the mother of his two kids, his sister, niece, nephew, and close trusted friends for keeping him positive during this tough time  

The No. 1 overall pick by the Wizards in the 2010 Draft opted into his $47.4 million player option for this upcoming season because he knew he was not, where he gave back $6.5 million of that salary after he and the Rockets front office reached a compromise and he was bought out of his deal. That paved the way for him to take his talents wherever he wanted to go, which was the Clippers.

 

 

Once he cleared waivers, Wall said went to L.A. to talk with Leonard and George and Coach Lue over the phone and they told Wall they wanted him to join the Clippers. To fit in but to be himself at all times. That he, Leonard, and George will feed off each other and be ready to work because the main goal is to win a title.

In speaking with ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk in the middle of July, Wall said that he wanted to join the Clippers because after watching them from a far in the last couple of seasons and he is “past the stage” of being the guy that was the top dog on a team and is willing to put his pride to the side and play a role on a championship contender.

“I feel like at this point, it’s all a part of God’s plan. But I feel like I’m just the missing piece they [Clippers] need for this team to get over the hump,” Wall said to Youngmisuk about what he can bring to the Clippers.

Whether it was Doc Rivers and now Coach Lue, whose gone 89-65 in his first two seasons as Clippers head coach (.578 win%; 10-9 record in Playoffs) the Clippers have not had a floor general that can speed the game up where they can get easy baskets in transition.

They have that now in Wall, who from 2014-18 with Wizards averaged 19.9 points, a league-leading for that time 9.9 assists and 1.8 steals on 44 percent shooting. However, Wall said he just hopes to a piece to the Clippers championship puzzle.  

“Helping those guys push the pace. Making the game easier for them. Let those guys get some catch-and shoot shots and I think that’s what I can do,” Wall said on being able to get specifically Leonard and George open shots.

As far as whether he or Jackson starts, Wall said that he’s a “competitor” like Jackson is a competitor that they are just going to “battle it” and whoever Coach Lue decides is going to be the starting lead guard for the Clippers that person will be “given that respect.”

The Clippers success this season though even with all the depth they have on the roster will come down to the health of Leonard and George, who have played dating back to 2019-20 played in 80 out of a possible 226 games (35%) together.

Leonard, whose averaged 26.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and five assists on 48.8 percent shooting in his two seasons with Clippers was officially cleared for 5-on-5 drills in late September just before the start of training camp and they will continue to take a cautious approach with Leonard so he can be ready for the start of this upcoming season.

What should be remembered that Leonard has missed time because of injury or load management in the prior first two seasons with the Clippers. He missed 15 games in 2019-20 and 20 games in 2020-21.  

“It’s going to be a step-by-step approach,” Frank said. “We’re not going to get into predictions on what he will do or won’t do, other than I know he wants to do everything.”

 

“The same mentality he had in his preparation when he was healthy, he applied to his rehab…It’s not the loud, sexy stuff. Many times, it is the everyday embracing of the monotony and daily grind with what it takes to get back healthier than ever and better than ever.” 

For George, who got married this summer in Italy to his long-time lady said other than getting married that was the only two-week period he did not work out in preparation for this upcoming season for the Clippers.

“I’m more focused than I’ve ever been…I’m locked into this year,” George, who did not eat any pasta at his wedding told Youngmisuk. “I’m prepared and understand what the assignment is this year. Winning it all. Being the last team standing and becoming a champion.”

For the past three decades, the Los Angeles Clippers have bee snake-bitten in their history from reaching their full potential. Whether it is the Clippers that were led by Hall of Famer Larry Brown, Danny Manning, and Ron Harper in the early 1990s, the mid-2000s Clippers teams led by now 76ers assistant coach Sam Cassell and front office man Elton Brand or the unfulfilled “Lob City” era Clippers not too long back with now Suns perennial All-Star guard Chris Paul and now perennial All-Star forward for the Celtics Blake Griffin.

One way or another (mostly injuries) or something else, disgraced former Governor Donald Sterling have denied the Clippers the chance to compete for a Larry O’Brien trophy. And then of course, there the fact they are the long time little disrespected brother to the mighty 17-time NBA champion Lakers, who will continue to he tormented by their fans until they move into the Intuit Dome in three years from now and/or win a championship.

This season will be the most anticipated for the Clippers ever, who came within two games of representing the Western Conference in The Finals in 2021, where they lost to the Paul led Suns in six games. They have basically everything in their bag to make this a special season. A championship level coach in Tyronn Lue. A roster full of wing and guard depth. Motivated superstar in Kawhi Leonard, who has two championships and Finals MVPs to speak of. Paul George who came very close to competing for a title with the Pacers in the early 2010s and has not been back since.

Much of the Clippers’ season will depend on their health and how well John Wall, can connect on both ends with Leonard and George.

“It’s not going to happen because Kawhi’s coming back healthy or PG’s coming back. We still have to put the work in and then go from there,” Lue said at Media Day about the work needed for the Clippers to be champions this spring. “It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be a process because we have a deep team with 11 to 12 guys that deserve to play. And we know we can’t play that many guys every night.”

“So, it’s going to be tough, you know. It’s going to be tough. But we’re up for the challenge and I’m excited about the group we have.”

Governor Ballmer conquered by saying, “I think we stay healthy next year, the skies the limit for our team.”

Best Case Scenario: The Clippers are a Top 3 Seed in the West. Leonard, George, and Wall play 65-70 games. The Clippers are a Top 5 offense and Top 5 defense. They have a Top 5 scoring bench. They reach The Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Clippers are a middle seed in the rugged Western Conference. Leonard, George, and Wall miss significant time because of injury/illness. The Clippers fall short of reaching The Finals.

Grade: A+

Los Angeles Lakers: 33-49 record (5^th Pacific Division; missed the playoffs; 21-20 at home, 12-29 on the road).  

-112.1 ppg-11^th; opp. ppg: 1115.1-28^th; 44.0 rpg-18^th     

In the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL, the Los Angeles Lakers earned their way to their 17^th NBA title in their history, tied with arch-rival Celtics for the most Larry O’Brien trophies in NBA history. Two seasons back they managed to reach the Playoffs as No. 7 Seed through the then Inaugural Play-In Tournament and were up in their open-round series before three straight lackluster performances against the eventual West champions ended their season in six games. Last season it all fell apart where injuries, lack of defensive intensity, and a lack of a jump shot by their 2021 offseason acquisition put a triple decker size bow on close to the most disappointing season in Lakers history. With the return to health of their two headlining pillars, a new no-nonsense let’s get after it, especially defensively head coach, the goal for the Lakers 2022-23, get back to the Playoffs and compete for title No. 18 in franchise history.

The boys from Hollywood last season put together the script for the absolute perfect basketball horror flick that would make any famous horror movie villain jealous.

They spent most of last season fighting to stay about .500 early on, with their highwater mark of three games over .500 at 16-13 thanks to a three-game winning streak (Dec. 10-17 2021). That was followed up by a five-game losing streak (Dec. 17-28, 2021). A four-game winning streak capped by a 134-118 victory Jan. 7 on ESPN versus the Hawks put the Lakers at 21-19. They were 24-24 following a 106-96 victory Jan. 25 at the Nets on TNT. That would be the last time the Lakers would be at .500 as they would go just 9-25 the remainder of 2021-22, including being tied with Pacers for the fourth worst mark post All-Star break at 6-18.

 

Those Playoff dreams were nailed shut on Apr. 5 when their 121-110 at the Suns on NBATV, their seventh loss in succession of an eight-game losing streak, officially eliminating them from Play-In contention as well as the Playoffs for the second time in the last four seasons. 

                     Lakers Since Last Being at .500 At 24-24 On Jan. 25                                 
Had three separate three-game losing streaks (Jan. 27-Feb. 2; Feb. 8-16; Mar. 12-17)
4-Game Losing Streak From Feb. 25-Mar. 5.
7-Game Losing Streak From Mar. 7-11.
8-Game Losing Streak From Mar. 23-Apr. 8.

Worst Records NBA Post All-Star Break 2021-22
Lakers:    6-18  Pacers:   5-17  Trail Blazers: 2-21
Thunder: 6-18  Rockets: 5-19

There are three main reasons the Lakers have missed the Playoffs in two out of the last four years and in seven out of the last nine seasons is because of injuries, lack of perimeter shooting and terrible defense.

Lakers in 2019-20 when they won it all as mentioned earlier, they were No. 4 in opponent’s points (107.6) and No. 3 in rebounding differential at +3.4. In 2020-21 They were No. 2 in opponent’s points (106.8) and No. 8 in rebounding differential at +2.2. Last season, the “Purple and Gol” finished No. 28 in opponent’s points allowed (115.1) and were No. 24 in rebounding differential at -2.6.

                       Lakers Other Bottom Ranks On Defense In 2021-22                                
47.0 Opp. FG%: 22^nd  NBA                         13.4 Opp. Fastbreak Points: 29^th NBA
35.2 Opp. 3-Pt.% 14^th NBA                         13.4 Opp. Second Chance Points: 18^th NBA
35.8 Opp. 3-Pt. attempts: 19^th NBA            51.5 Opp. Paint Points: 28^th NBA
12.6 Opp. 3-Pt. made: 18^th NBA                  7.6 Steals: T-11^th NBA w/Spurs
5.2 Blocks: 7^th NBA

The Lakers because of their atrocious defense blew 12 double-digit leads that resulted in losses in 2021-22.

They allowed 100-plus points their final 30 games of last season, the 2^nd longest such streak their last 50 seasons.

That is how the Lakers closed 2021-22 went 3-17 their final 20 road games, including a 3-6 mark their final nine road games of 2021-22. Their 146-141 overtime win at the Nuggets snapped a 16-game road losing streak against the Western Conference.

Just like the season before, the Lakers poor mark also had to do with injuries, especially with their two perennial All-Star headliners in now 18-time All-Star LeBron James and eight-time All-Star Anthony Davis.

 

James (30.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 6.2 apg, 52.4 FG%, 35.9 3-Pt.% in 56 games), missed 26 total games in 2021-22 due to a sore right ankle (missed two games: Oct. 26-29, 2021); abdominal strain (missed eight straight games Nov. 4-17, 2021); swelling in his left ankle (missed five straight games Ja. 27-Feb. 5); knee soreness (Mar 23, 126-121 loss Mar. 23 versus 76ers ESPN); left ankle sprain (missed five straight games and eight out of the final 10 games of 2021-22: Apr. 3-10, 2022).

The four-time Finals MVP, and four-time Kia MVP also missed Lakers Nov. 23, 2021 tilt at Knicks (106-100 loss) due to a league suspension for his unintentionally striking Pistons’ center Isaiah Stewart in his face and drawing blood while boxing him out at the foul line in the third quarter of the Lakers 121-116 win at the Pistons.

James since arriving in L.A. in 2018 has missed a total of 84 games in his four season because of injury/illness (27 in 2018-19; four in 2019-20; 27 in 2020-21; 26 in 2021-22). He totaled 71 missed games his first 15 seasons in his two stints with the Cavaliers (2003-10; 2015-18) and his four seasons with the Heat (2010-14).

James played in just 72.6 percent of the Lakers games in his first four seasons (223 out of 307 games). He played in 94.2 percent of the games in his two stints with Cavaliers and his four seasons with the Heat (1,143 out of 1,214 games).

Lakers record By                              W/James                     W/O James
Season With and Without                  28-27      2018-19           9-18
LeBron James                                     50-17      2019-20           2-2
                                                              20-15      2020-21         12-15
                                                              25-31      2021-22           8-18

Davis (23.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.3 bpg, 53.2 FG%), who has not played in 75 games or more since 2017-18 with the Pelicans has totaled 87 missed games in his first three seasons with the Lakers, including 42 total missed games in 2021-22 after missing nine and 36 total missed games respectably in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Davis missed those 42 total games last season with flu like symptoms (Nov 21, 2021L 124-116 overtime win at Pacers); left knee soreness (missed two games: Dec. 10-15, 2021); missed 18 straight games (Dec. 19, 2021-Jan. 25, 2022) sprained left knee sustained in third quarters of Lakers 110-92 loss at Timberwolves on ESPN; right wrist soreness (missed Jan. 28 117-114 loss at Hornets) sprained left foot (missed first 19 games post All-Star break Feb. 25-Apr. 1) after getting injured late in the second quarter of Lakers 106-101 victory Feb. 16 versus the Jazz; sprained right foot (missed final three games of 2021-22: Apr. 7-10).

Lakers Record By                 W/Davis                      W/O Davis
Season With and                     46-16      2019-20            6-3
Without Anthony Davis         23-13      2020-21         19-17
                                                  17-23      2020-21         16-26

Davis in his first eight NBA seasons (First 6 Seasons w/Pelicans) has totaled 117 missed games.

Anthony Davis            2019-20 83: games played: 26.5 Points, 34.2 3-Pt. %l 84.2 FT%
First Three Season     2020-22: 81 Total Game Played: 22.9 PPG, 21.9 3-Pt.%; 73.4 FT%
As a Laker

That was especially tough sledding for the Lakers in 2021-22 because there was no cohesion between their “Big Three” of James, Davis, and blockbuster acquisition in 2017 Kia MVP and nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook (18.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 7.1 apg,), who only played 21 games together in 2021-22, registering just an 11-10 mark (393 total minutes) on the floor for the Lakers.

Of the three, Westbrook was the healthiest missing only four games, missing three of those four to close out 2021-22 with right shoulder soreness.

To put how disappointing the Lakers were a season ago into context, they were one of two teams in NBA history that can say they had four-plus members on the NBA’s 75^th Anniversary Team along with the 1972 and 1974 Knicks squads. Those Knicks teams had winning percentages of .598 and .585 and made the Playoffs. The 2021-22 Lakers that had James, Davis, Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony that made the 75^th Anniversary team produced a .397 winning percentage.

The Laker were so desperate for any kind of spark that in late December 2021, they signed Stanley Johnson, who played on three 10-day contracts until he was signed for the remainder of the season on Jan. 26.

At the start of March, they added journeyman forward Wenyen Gabriel first on a two-way deal and converted to a standard contract on Apr. 8 and veteran guard D.J. Augustin.

There were times last season that rookie Austin Reaves (7.3 ppg, 45.9 FG%) was the best player on the court because he played energy and hustled like crazy all over the floor.

With all the Lakers headliners out in their 146-141 overtime win in their regular season finale at Nuggets, Reaves had his first career triple-double of 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists (7/17 FGs) going 3/5 on his threes and 14/14 at the charity stripe.

The Lakers poor mark in 2021-22 waisted an exceptional season by James, who continued when he did play his out of this world play at age 37.

                               LeBron James’ Superlatives in 2021-22                                                         

His 30.3 scoring average is the second highest of his career. Averaged 31.4 points in his third NBA season in 2005-06 with the Cavaliers.

Made the All-NBA Third Team for the second time in his career and earned his 19^th All-NBA selection of his career, (First Team: 13 times-2006, 2008-18, 2020; Second-Team: Three times: 2005, 2007, 2021; Third Team: 2019, 2022); joined Spurs Hall of Famer Tim Duncan as the only two players in NBA history to make an All-NBA team in their 18^th NBA season or later.

Earned his 18^th All-Star selection, tied late Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant for the second most All-Star selections in NBA history, trails only Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who made the All-Star team 19 times in his career.

In his return from a one-game suspension averaged 30.4 Points, 8.9 Rebounds, 6.3 Assists, and 1.6 Steals on 54 percent shooting the next 16 games.

Registered his 100^th career triple-double in Lakers 108-95 loss Dec. 9, 2021 at Grizzlies (20 Points, 10 Rebounds, 11 Assists), becoming the fifth player in NBA history with 100 career triple-doubles. It was also his 27^th career triple-double as a Laker, surpassing Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor for second most in Lakers history.

Dec. 12, 2021 Lakers 106-94 victory versus the Magic had 30 Points, 11 Rebounds, 10 Assists, 3 Blocks 12/20 FGs: 3/7 3-Pt. became at age 36 Years 346 Days the oldest player NBA history to record a 30-Point Triple-Double, supplanting the late Kobe Bryant who on Nov. 30, 2014 had 31 Points, 11 Rebounds, 12 Assists in 129-122 win over the Raptors registering his record setting triple-double at 36 Years, 99 Days young.

Dec. 31, 2021 Lakers victory (139-106) versus the Trail Blazers had 43 Points, 14 Rebounds, Two Steals, and Two Block shots on 16/26 FGs and 5/10 from three, joined Hall of Famer Michael Jordan as just the second player in NBA history to score 40 points with zero turnovers.

For January 2022 became the oldest player to average 25-Plus Points and became the oldest player in NBA history to score at least 25 points in 10 straight games.

Registered from Dec. 19, 2021-Feb. 25, 2022 23 straight games scoring at least 25 points, the longest such streak of his career.  

His consecutive games scoring 50 points in March (Mar. 5 versus Warriors; Mar. 11 versus Wizards) were 13^th and 14^th 50 points games of his career.  

Also in January, passed Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson into fourth place on the NBA’s all-time free throws made list, now at 7,836 (7,836/10,673) and counting. He passed Alvin Robertson for No. 10 all-time in NBA in steals at 2,136 and counting.

Mar. 13 Lakes 140-111 loss at Suns on ESPN: 31 Points, Seven Rebounds, Six Assists 10/20 FGs: 5/11 3-Pt. reached 10,000 career assists becoming the first player in NBA history with at least 30,000 Career Points, 10,000 Career Rebounds, and 10,000 Career Assists.

Feb. 12 Lakers 117-115 loss at Warriors on ABC, passed Abdul-Jabbar for most combined career points (Regular Season and Playoffs) not at 44, 693 and counting.

Mar. 19 Lakers 127-119 loss at Wizards scored on a layup in the second quarter to pass Hall of Famer Karl Malone in the NBA’s all-time scoring list now at 37,062 total Points and counting.  

 

Top Five Scoring Averages For A Season All-Time At Age 37 Or Older
LeBron James (LAL) 30.3 2021-22
Karl Malone: 23.2  2000-01 w/Jazz
Michael Jordan: 22.9 2001-02 w/Wizards
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 22.0 1984-85 w/Lakers
Kobe Bryant: 17.6 2015-16 w/Lakers

All-Time Top Scorers Amongst Active Players
LeBron James (LAL): 37,062
Kevin Durant (BKN): 25,5262
James Harden (PHI): 23,477
Russell Westbrook (LAL): 23,928

James in 2021-22 made 161 total threes (161/448 3-Pt.). It was the fourth time out of the last five seasons he made over 110 total triples and has made over 100 total threes in 14 out of his 19 NBA seasons. His 21 double-doubles authored in 2021-22, including six triple-doubles giving James over 20 double-doubles in 16 out his 19  NBA seasons.

Most Triple-Doubles In Lakers History That Reached Double-Digits
Earvin “Magic” Johnson: 138         Jerry West: 16
LeBron James: 32                             Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 13
Elgin Baylor: 26                                Russell Westbrook: 10
Kobe Bryant : 21

                       100 Triple-Double Club In NBA History                
Russell Westbrook (LAL): 194                    Jason Kidd: 107
Oscar Robertson: 181                                   LeBron James: 105
Earvin “Magic” Johnson: 138

During the 2021-22 NBA campaign, 19 different players scored 50 or more. Out of those 19 times, nine took place in March, a new NBA record for a single month. James was the only player to score 50 or more twice out of those nine instances.

In the Lakers 124-116 victory Mar. 5 versus the Warriors on ABC, James scored 30 of  his 56 points in the second half with 10 boards on 19/31 from the field, including 6/11 from three, and 12/13 at the foul line in 39 minutes. He became the fourth oldest player in league history to 50 or more and became the oldest player (age 37) to register 50-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in a game, surpassing Michael Jordan. James also registered the third most points in a game in his regular season career.

In the Lakers 122-109 victory versus the Wizards Mar. 11 on NBATV, James scored 50 points on 18/25 from the field and 6/9 from three (8/8 FTs) in 36 minutes for his 14^th career 50-plus point performance, tying him with Hall of Famer Rick Barry for 6^th most such games in NBA history.

 

James on that night became the oldest player in NBA history with multiple 50-point games in a single season and joined Bryant as the only Lakers to score 50 points in back-to-back homes games in their history. Bryant accomplished this feet in Apr. 2007. James also became the only player in NBA history to score 50 in a game twice in a season at age 25 or older.

              Most Double-Digit 50-Point Games In NBA History                             
Wilt Chamberlin: 118           Rick Barry: 14
Michael Jordan:   31             Damian Lillard (POR): 12
Kobe Bryant: 25                    Allen Iverson: 11
James Harden: 23                 Stephen Curry (GS): 10
Elgin Baylor: 17                    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 10
LeBron James (LAL): 14

It was an even tougher season for Westbrook, who was living his dream of playing for the team he grew up watching in his hometown of Los Angeles.

It was a nightmare for the 2017 Kia MVP who despite registering 28 double-doubles, including the fourth most triple-doubles (tied with Mavericks Luka Doncic) in 2021-22 had his lowest scoring average since 2009-10 with the Thunder (16.1 points). His 7.4 rebounds  were lowest since he averaged 7.9 boards as a Rockets in 2019-20. His 7.1 assists were his lowest also since his lone season with the Rockets in 2019-20.

There was no one who shooting accuracy or lacked there of that was talked, written, discussed, or scrutinized more than Westbrook, who shot decently overall from the field at 44 percent, but shot an abysmal 29.8 percent from three-point range (79/265 3-Pt.) and for the third time in the last four seasons shot about 65 percent from the foul line at 66.7 percent a season ago.

Along with the shooting issues, Westbrook just never found any cohesion with not just James and Davis, mainly because of their respective injuries that shelved them a lot of last season. But he and Coach Vogel never got on the same page.

When Westbrook played with only James, the Lakers went just 25-30. When Westbrook played alongside only Davis in the lineup, the Lakers were just 17-22. When it was just Westbrook as the No. 1 scoring option, the Lakers lost in all five of those games in 2021-22.

That further encapsuled the Lakers shooting struggles a season ago. While they ranked No. 8 in field goal percentage at 46.9 percent, the Lakers were No. 22 in three-point percentage at 34.7 percent. Were a middle of the pack team in terms of being No. 17 in threes attempted at 34.5 and No. 18 in threes made at 12 in 2021-22.  

While they were No. 9 in the league in free throws attempted a season ago, the Lakers were next to last in free throw percentage at 73.2, No. 29 in NBA.

When the worst season in recent Lakers history was in the rearview mirror, the front office led by Vice President and GM Rob Pelinka and Governor Jeanie Buss had a laundry list of things to handle.

The first move was firing Coach Vogel just 18 months after he led them to as mentioned their 17^th Larry O’Brien trophy in franchise history. The Lakers went 127-98 in Coach Vogel’s three seasons with the Lakers and was under contract for one more season.

“It was a point the Lakers history we felt that it was time for a change in our leadership. Frank is a great man coach and a good man and we’re very thankful that we had three season with him,” Pelinka, whose contract in late Septemberwas extended through the 2025-26 season said in a statement in the middle of April. “We will forever be grateful to hi for his work in guiding us to the 2019-20 championship. This is an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one we feel is necessary at this point.

With their lone pick in the 2022 Draft the Lakers selected guard Max Christie No. 35 overall out of Michigan State. The Lakers got that pick in a trade before the draft with the Magic receiving the highest 2028 First Round pick from Lakers or Wizards (owed to Lakers) and cash considerations.

On June 3, the Lakers hired former Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham to replace Vogel. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ham, 48 is the 28^th head coach in Lakers history. Their 24^th of the Los Angeles era, including their seventh different head coach since the retirement of Hall of Famer Phil Jackson in 2012.

The native of Saginaw, MI played in NBA for eight seasons (1996-98l 1999-05) for the Nuggets, Hawks, Bucks, Wizards, Pacers, and Nuggets. He was a member of the 2004 Pistons title team. The Texas Tech grad also played internationally in Spain, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.

Ham began his coaching career in 2008 as an assistant with New Mexico Thunderbirds of the NBA’s now G League before taking over as that squads GM and head coach.

One year later, Ham joined the Lakers as an assistant coach, spending two seasons with them (2011-13) on the staff of now head coach of the Sacramento Kings Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni. He would be an assistant coach for five seasons on then head coach Mike Budenholzer’s staff with the Hawks and joined the Bucks as an assistant coach in 2018 following Budenholzer to Milwaukee.

During his time with Hawks and Bucks, Ham developed a reputation as an effective communicator with a very versatile knowledge of the game. He also had no problem getting after you if you cut out of line and are not following instructions to a tee.

“I think the skies the limit. We’re not going to put a ceiling on our situation,” Ham said at his introductory presser in early June on the Lakers expectations under his leadership.

The hiring of Ham got the approval of James by saying on his Twitter page @KingJames, “So damn EXCITED!!!!! Congrats and welcome Coach DHAM!!”

At Media Day on Sept. 26, Coach Ham said that he is “extremely excited” about this upcoming season. That last year’s disaster in 2021-22 “was what it was.”

“There was a variety of circumstances that led to the team playing the way they did and the lack of success that the team had last year. You had COVID, injuries and what not,” Ham said. “This year, we’ve turned the page. We’re looking out the windshield. Not so much through the rearview mirror and we’re excited about the group…We’re excited about the summer we’ve had thus far. I think we’re going to create an identity. Just to start from Day one establishing that defensive identity. That competitive nature. That competitive energy throughout the environment.”

“Last year’s last year. This year’s a whole new chapter and we’re just going to take every single day. Work out tails off and try to embrace the journey in order to get to the destination that we want.”

The Lakers spent the entire summer in deliberations about trading Westbrook, who exercised his $47.1 million player option of the final year of his five-year, $205 million deal he signed with the Thunder in summer of 2017.

It is not a surprise when you consider that after the poor season that he had that no team was going to commit that kind of money to Westbrook, who will turn age 34 next season when he is in the midst of his 15^th NBA season. 

Westbrook was at Coach Ham’s introductory presser as the Lakers new head coach and the communication between the two this summer according to reports has been great.

During Summer League game between the Lakers and Hornets in Las Vegas, NV Coach Ham said to NBATV’s Chris Miles and Steve Smith that Westbrook is in “great shape” and that he plans on utilizing him in the new four-out and one-in offense where Westbrook will have a chance to be placed in many screen-and-rolls and make plays in the halfcourt as well as run the break. Get layups on slash and cuts and get sprint outs to the corners for corner threes.

“I’m excited as hell to have Russell Westbrook on our team,” Ham said.

He added to that by saying on “All The Smoke Podcast” With ESPN NBA studio analyst Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, “They trying to dump on Russ and I’m like that’s one of the things that got me excited about this job.”

“He and I have a great, great repour since I’ve taken over.”

While Westbrook in secret may not be happy to be returning as a Laker, testing the free agent market would have been disastrous.

 

Also, when he did opt into the player option in the last year of his deal, the Lakers option on what to do with him were very limited. They could not trade him without packaging him without mortgaging more of their future assets, which they are still paying out to the Pelicans for acquiring Davis in 2019 and also taking back lengthy contracts or players from other teams.

Westbrook did however cut ties with his longtime agent Thad Foucher in the middle of July citing, “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the partnership that was formed since Westbrook’s sophomore season in 2008 at UCLA.

By Westbrook playing along and trying to be better this season will hopefully go a long way in either getting a major payday with the Lakers or elsewhere if they do not decide to trade him during this season all the way up to the trade deadline.

“I’ll be myself every single day” Westbrook said at Media Day on how he will stay within the blueprint of the Lakers this season. “Basketball wise, I’ll continue doing what’s best for the team. Doing whatever that’s asked of me. I’ll continue to do that within those parameters. I’ll be the best person I can be.”

There was a possible trade on the table to deal Westbrook along with the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 First Round picks to the Pacers in exchange for guard Buddy Hield and center Myles Turner, according to AndScapes’ Marc J. Spears. The Pacers and Lakers re-engaged in those trade talks in late July according to ESPN Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin but nothing came close to a deal happening.  

Right now, the Lakers hope Westbrook is healthy enough to start this season as he is dealing with a hamstring issue and remains day-to-day about starting the regular season.

That salary cap strained allowed the Lakers to only add players on only one-year deals this offseason on players that are looking for a chance to prove themselves.

Among those signed were center Damian Jones (8.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 65.8 FG%, in 56 games w/Kings), who is in his second stint with the Lakers officially on July 1 on a two-year, $4.8 million deal, which included a player option in the second year of the deal. Then they added center Thomas Bryant (7.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 52.0 FG% in 27 games w/Wizards), who drafted him in No. 42 overall in 2017 out of Indiana University.

“The options are all in the air. So, whatever happens will see,” Jones, who has played for the Warriors (won two rings in 2017 and 2018), Hawks (2019-20), Suns (2020-21) and Lakers (2020-21) and Kings (2021-22) in his seven NBA seasons said at Media Day about who will start at center for the Lakers this upcoming. “We’re all just competing to get our minutes in… I feel like we can definitely compliment each other. Whatever coach decides, it works.”  

 

 

Bryant, who before his injury was a rising talent in D.C., where he averaged 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds on 61.6 percent shooting in 72 games in 2018-19; 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds on 58.1 percent from the field in 2019-20 in 46 games; and 14.3 points and 6.1 in on 64.8 percent shooting 10 games before a leg injury ended his season.

Jones gives the Lakers a more traditional center who does the dirty work in the paint from rebounding, setting screens, and blocking shots. Bryant is more of center in today’s game who can do the same things that Jones does but has the ability to make threes.

In his first season with the Lakers, Bryant was just 1/10 from three. The next two seasons with the Wizards shot 33/93 (33.3%) and 37/91 (40.7%) from three. Injuries and lack of playing time his final two seasons with the Wizards shot 9/21 and 12/42 respectably from three.  

When asked at Media Day by Spectrum Sportsnet’s Mike Bresnahan about the importance if he starts or not, Bryant said that when you are on any team “you always think about starting.”

“It comes down to the team. Whatever the team needs me to do. What my teammates need me to do, that’s what I’m here for. To help the team.”

They also signed officially on July 1 Troy Brown, Jr., 22 on a one-year, $1.8 million deal.

Other than his second NBA season with the Wizards, where he averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds on 43.9 percent from the field in 2019-20 with the Wizards, Brown, Jr. No. 15 overall pick by the Wizards in 2018 out of University of Oregon has been a disappointment and he has battled injuries.

When he is healthy, he can be a player that can be a three-and-d guy, as he showed, especially in the 2020 restart, where made 67 threes (67/179 3-Pt.).

“I think this year we have a lot of guys on our team that can shoot it. But for me personally, just being able decisions off the catch and being able to catch-and-shoot. Just putting teams in situations where they have to make decisions,” Brown Jr. said about the Lakers ability to make threes on a regular season this season.

“I think that’s the biggest thing where a team can’t just relax and being able to focus on LeBron and them and just be like, ‘Hey, we’re not just going to worry about them.’ I think the biggest thing for us is being able to give space. Being able to hit corner threes and being able to run the lane to spread for those guys.”   

Another Laker that will be asked to make threes and guard some of the elite wings in the NBA is Lonnie Walker IV (12.1 ppg w/Spurs), who signed with the Lakers on a one-year, $6.5 million deal officially on July 6.

Walker IV, who totaled 46 made threes (46/104 3-Pt.) his first two NBA seasons (2018-20) with the Spurs, who drafted him No. 18 overall in 2018 out of the University of Miami “The U”  has totaled 100 (100/282 3-Pt.) and 111 (111/353 3-Pt.) respectably the last two seasons. He has shown that he can make threes at a high clip and the Lakers hope he can do that while also guarding the best small forwards and guards in the league this season.

“I’m perfectly comfortable with whoever they want me guard. Even if its dang near DeAndre Jordan, I’ll guard him,” Walker IV said. “But as far as the three [small forward], the two [shooting guard] I think I’m ready. I mean, I’m 212 pounds. I’m fast, I run, I jump with the best of them. So, let’s have some fun with it.”

They also signed from the NBA champion Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson on a one-year, $1.8 million deal. He said at Media Day that he “now knows what it looks like to win a championship in the NBA.”

That he wanted to be on team that has “the capabilities of winning a championship,” and when you have players such as James, Davis, and Westbrook that “you have a chance to compete.” 

The Lakers while they did not trade Westbrook did make a deal to bring in veteran guard Patrick Beverly (9.2 ppg, 4.6 apg, 4.1 rpg, 34.3 3-Pt.% w/Timberwolves) from the Jazz on Aug. 25 sending guard Talen Horton-Tucker and forward Stanley Johnson, whose team option was picked up for this season in late July was dealt to Utah. 

In the middle of September, the Lakers signed veteran guard Dennis Schroder (13.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 34.4 3-Pt.% in 64 games w/Celtics and Rockets) to a one-year, $2.6 million deal.

Say what you will about Beverly. He is an irritant. He can make you want to grab him by the shirt at times. But that is if you are the opponent. The way he plays, especially defensively, wherever he has been from the Rockets, Clippers, and last season with the Timberwolves, he has gotten all the love and respect because he plays hard. He gets after it and his energy and enthusiasm does nothing but make you play harder.

The acquisition of Beverly though puts him and Westbrook, two bitter competitors in recent years in the same locker room.

The two so far have found a way to make it work. At his Lakers introductory presser on Sept 6, Beverly that he and Westbrook worked out together and have been solid.

“I’m going to go out there and compete at the highest level and I’m going to have him doing it too,” Beverly said after receiving a thrown towel from Westbrook adding after that kind gesture, “Thank you. Love that brother. First dime of the year.”

Beverly also said when asked by Spectrum Sportsnet’s Mike Trudell on being on the same team as James and Davis, “They’ll be playing with me. I made the Playoffs last year. They didn’t.”

Two seasons back, the Lakers offered Schroder a contract to stay with the Lakers. He wanted to test the free agent market and signed for an even lesser deal with the arch-rival Celtics, which did not work out and he was traded at the Feb. 10 trade deadline to the Rockets.

In his Media Availability on Oct. 10, Schroder said to Bresnahan that about his post on his social media page that “we have unfinished business.” Adding that there was never a contract to reject because there was not deal offer.

That being back in L.A. playing with James and Davis again, and now Westbrook, Beverly, and the rest of the team that he is “ready to work” and that he is “excited” to be back in L.A.

He added about being reunited with Coach Ham, Schroder said that was “the main reason.”

Schroder has known Coach Ham since he joined the Hawks and Ham as mentioned was an assistant coach, they built a solid connection. That he was “nothing but great to him.” That he “calls him family.” That he will do whatever it takes to win a ball game, that he will do it.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, Schroder is going to be on the mend for possibly 3-4 weeks after having a surgical procedure to repair a ligament in his thumb on Monday.

The Lakers success will depend on this season mostly on the health and play of Anthony Davis.

ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins said on the July 20 edition of ESPN’s “NBA Today” that sources told him that Davis has this summer woke up at 4 a.m. daily to work out, even working out three times a day.

When the Lakers won the title in the 2020 restart, Davis was not only the best player on the floor he played like the topflight player in the league. In the last two seasons because of his inability to stay on the floor, there has been a question if he is a Top 20 power forward/center let alone a Top 20 player in “The Association.”

If Davis can get back to the level of being that player that he was in the restart than the Lakers can be in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference.

“We know the world’s watching us. Even when we didn’t make the Playoffs, the world was still talking about us,” Davis said at Media Day to NBATV/NBA on TNT’s sideline reporter Chris Haynes. “For me, come in and play basketball. If I be who I am. The Anthony Daivs I know I can be the rest will take care of itself. Obviously, the goal is to win a championship but we can’t skip steps.”

He added at Media Day, “Anytime you have a losing, there’s frustration cause you want to win, especially knowing what we can do,” Davis said on a poor 2021-22 season. “And then also frustrated because we didn’t know how good we can be because we didn’t have many reps with each other. And us meaning me, Bron, and Russ.”

“But for me, I’m not putting any pressure on myself at all. I’m going to go out there and play basketball, work hard, defend, and do what the team needs to win basketball games. I’m not going to overthink and listen to what everybody else is saying and try to be this whatever player they want me to be.” 

The last real bit of business that the Lakers handled for the summer was done in the middle of August when James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million extension through the 2024-25 season, which is his player option year and with the new deal, James will make $46.7 million. He is also now the highest earner in NBA history with this extension at $532 million in guaranteed money surpassing the Nets’ Kevin Durant.

James, who was heading into the final year of his current deal was limited to only signing a two-year extension because per rules of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and while he was eligible to have a no-trade clause in his deal, James cannot be dealt during the 2022-23 season. The deal does have a $50 million salary and a 15 percent trade kicker.

“To be available. That’s the most important,” James said at Media Day when asked by Trudell about the focus of his game for this season. “Obviously, some injuries you can’t control. But that’s my whole mindset.”

“I think for me as the leader of the team, one of the leaders of the team, availability is the most important thing in this league.”

The Lakers in their first 66 years of existence going back to their days in Minneapolis, MN missed the Playoffs only five times (1958, 1975, 1976, 1994, and 2005). They have missed out on playing postseason hoops in seven out of the last nine seasons, including two of the four seasons LeBron James has been on the roster.

                     Lakers Since Arrival Of LeBron James                   
2018-19    37-45 Record   Missed Playoffs
2019-20    52-19 Record   Won 17^th NBA Title in their history
2020-21    42-30 Record   Lost First Round 4-2 to Suns
2021-22    33-49 Record   Missed Playoffs

While James will have plenty of individual things to motivate him to stay healthy this season. Individually he can rise as high is for made threes and attempts away from moving into fourth place on both counts in Lakers history (524/1,485 3-Pt.) as he is 72 made threes and 111 attempts away from passing Lakers legend and former Lakers, Nets, Cavaliers, and New Orleans head coach Byron Scott, who won three titles with the “Showtime” Lakers in the 1980s.

James is also 1,326 points shy of passing Abdul-Jabbar into top spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. If James averages 20 points, he will Abdul-Jabbar in 67 games this upcoming season. If he averages 25 points, he will be the NBA’s all-time points leader after 53 games. If he averages 30 points, he will reach No. 1 on the all-time scoring list in 45 games in 2021-22.

 

 

                    NBA’s All-Time Scoring List: 30,000-Point Club                            
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387 Points        Michael Jordan: 32,292 Points
LeBron James (LAL): 37,062 Points           Dirk Nowitzki: 31.560 Points
Karl Malone: 36,928 Points                         Wilt Chamberlin: 31,419 Points
Kobe Bryant: 33,643 Points

                    Most Total Minutes Played NBA History: Top Seven                     
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 57,446        Kevin Garnett: 50,418
Karl Malone: 54,852                         Jason Kidd: 50,121
LeBron James (LAL): 52,129          Elvin Hayes: 50,000
Dirk Nowitzki: 51,368

                 Most Regular Season Wins By A Players In NBA History     
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 1,074          Karl Malone: 952
Robert Parish: 1,014                         Dirk Nowitzki: 916
Tim Duncan: 1,001                           LeBron James (LAL): 894
John Stockton: 953

James at Media Day said to Haynes that when he first came into the NBA at 18, his expectations were that he knew he “belonged.” That he knew he “could” play the game at a high level. But he had to continue to “learn” and “grow.” That at age 18 James said he did not know much about the pro game besides “watching” and “studying” it. But he knew how to play basketball. As far as what he has left to give, James said his “mind.”

“I think when youssr mind is fresh, and you’re mind is stable, and you’re mind is clear, that’s what I have to give,” James said to Haynes. “And that’s going to allow my game and allow body to stay fresh. And that’s what’s going to allow me to do what I need to do at a high level because this [his mind] is always sharpe.”

“To be a part of this franchise, this is my fifth year with this franchise. We’ve got one championship and that’s what we want to continue to build towards.”

He said to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Media Day that while on vacation in the Maldives, he would get up at 2 a.m. to watch the 2022 NBA Playoff games and would tweet in real time watching games as he was not a part of postseason action for only the fourth time in his illustrious career.

“It’s a feeling I don’t like. It’s a taste I don’t like,” James said to McMenamin about not being in the postseason. “But I love the game and that’s why I watched every game. I literally was waking up at 2 a.m. watching every game that was on that day and training right after.”

“This motivating. But I’m looking forward to this season and getting this team and this franchise back in a position to be in the postseason and competing for what we all want to compete for.”

Last season was one of the worst in the storied championship history of the Los Angeles Lakers. They had injuries, poor defensive execution, fractured communication, and non-cohesiveness. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis back healthy. Hopefully a focused and determined Russell Westbrook, and a supporting cast that can all come together and be competitive in a tough Western Conference.

This team does have flaws. But they also have a coach that will never use excuses to why they are not taking care of business.

A new year can bring new opportunity. It can also bring redemption. That is the hope for the Los Angeles Lakers who enter a season with a lot of doubters they look forward to proving wrong.

“I came here because I believed in the franchise. And I’m still here. It’s literally that simple,” James said at Media Day on signing his two-year extension. “I’m committed to the franchise for as long as my contract is.”

Best Case Scenario: Lakers are as high as a No. 4 Seed in the West. They remain healthy. James and Davis are healthy and play at their All-NBA level. Westbrook finds offensive cohesion and also returns to All-Star form. The Lakers are Top 10 defense again. They return to the Playoffs and reach the West Semis.  

Worst Case Scenario: Lakers battle injuries all season again, particularly Davis and James. Their defense remains an issue. Westbrook asked to be traded because the fit does not work again. They are competing for a Playoff spot through the Play-In Tournament.

Grade: C-

Memphis Grizzlies: 56-26 (1^st Southwest Division; No. 2 Seed in West; 30-11 at home, 26-15 on the road); Defeated the No. 7 Seeded Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 in West Quarterfinals; Lost to No. 3 Seeded Golden State Warriors 4-2 in West Semifinals.

-115.6 ppg-2^nd opp. ppg: 109.9-12^th; 49.2 rpg-1^st  

Two years ago, the Memphis Grizzlies missed the Playoffs after falling in the Play-In Game to the boys from “Rip City.” In 2021 they made it back to the Playoffs through the inaugural Play-In Tournament and went down in five games to the squad from “Salt Lake City.” Last season, the Grizzlies put it all together led by their young rising floor general and a team concept that is close to the “Girt ‘N’ Grind’ era. They rode the wave of a franchise-tying mark for wins and outlasted the boys from the “Twin Cities” in the First Round. Their inexperience showed in the West Semis as they went down the eventual NBA champions from the “Bay Area.” With their core back again and another year of experience, the goal for the Grizzlies is do it again. Be a serious threat in the rugged Western Conference.

Following a 132-100 loss Nov. 26, 2021 versus the Hawks, the Grizzlies dropped to 9-10 and lost their floor general to left knee injury sustained in the opening period.

There was a feeling of many that head coach Taylor Jenkins’ team would be lucky to be in contention for a spot in the Play-In Tournament again. Instead, the Grizzlies grew as a team.

They would go on after that loss to the Hawks to go 10-1 their next 11 games, producing two separate five-game winning streaks (Nov. 28, 2021-Dec. 8, 2021 and Dec. 9-19, 2021). Following a three-game losing streak (Dec. 19-26, 2021), the Grizzlies won a franchise record 11-game winning streak (Dec. 26, 2021-Jan. 14, 2022).

The Grizzlies began February with a six-game winning streak (Feb. 2-16, 2022) and were No. 3 in the Western Conference at 41-19 at the All-Star break. Following their second straight loss in their first game post All-Star break (119-114) Feb. 24 at the Timberwolves, the Grizzlies went 7-3 their next 10 games, which included a four-game winning streak (Mar. 8-18, 2022) and then won seven straight (Mar. 20-Apr. 5, 2022). They would finish with the No. 2 Seed in the stacked Western Conference, registering the fifth 50-plus win season in Grizzlies’ history, with all of them taking place in their time in Memphis.

             Longest Winning Streaks In Grizzlies History                
11-Gamer: Dec. 26, 2021-Jan. 14, 2022
8-Gamer: Four Times
7-Gamer: 7 Times, Including Mar. 20, 2022-Apr. 5, 2022 
6-Gamer: 12 Times, Including Feb. 2-16
5 Gamer: 19 Times
4-Gamer: 30 Times, Including Mar. 8-18

This young group is led by rising star guard Ja Morant (27.4 ppg-9^th NBA, 6.7 apg, 5.7 rpg, 49.3 FG%) who career-highs across the board earned him the 2021-22 Kia Most Valuable Player award; his first All-Star selection; and his first of possibly many All-NBA selections as he made the 2021-22 All-NBA Second Team.

Morant’s 27.4 scoring average 2021-22 highest for a single season in franchise history, surpassing the 23.0 scoring average by Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 1998-99

The 2020 Kia Rookie of the Year registered 10 double-doubles a season ago after posting 29 total double-doubles, including three triple-doubles in his first two NBA seasons.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 Draft out of Murray State had 46 games scoring 20 point or more in 2021-22, which included 24 games scoring 30 or more, which was No. 10 in the league. After posting just one 40-plus point game his first two NBA seasons, Morant had six such games in 2021-22 and has a seven of the 18 40-plus point games in Grizzlies history.

Ja Morant First   2019-20: 29 Games Scoring 20-Plus Points With One 30-Plus Point Game
3 NBA Seasons    2020-21:  25 Games Scoring 20-Plus Points With 8 30-Plus Point Games
                              2021-22:  46 Games Scoring 20-Plus Points With 24 30-Plus Points Games

 

 

Youngest Players In NBA History To Average 25 Points During A 10-Game Winning Streak
Season                  Player                    Years/Days     *Hall of Famer         
2021-22            Ja Morant                     22/154
1974-75           Bob McAdoo*                22/59
1959-60         Wilt Chamberlin*          23/145

He made scoring in the paint at his size look easy a season ago. There was not one night he was on the hardwood and he did not do something that made your mouth drop. That was the case on two nights in particular.

In the Grizzlies 116-110 win at the Bulls on Feb. 26, Morant scored a regular-season career-high and single-game franchise record of 46 points, with 20 of those 46 points coming in the third quarter. Morant shot 15/28 from the field, including 3/4 from three-point range and 13/15 at the foul line.

Two nights later versus the Spurs at home, Morant authored the first 50-point game in Grizzlies history with a new overall career-high and new single-game franchise record of 52 points, that included 13 straight points in the fourth quarter. Morant shot 22/30 from the field, made all four of his threes with seven rebounds.

Morant’s Scoring Breakdown Versus The Spurs
-Scored 34 points in the paint
-Has five of the seven highest scoring games in Grizzlies history
-5^th youngest in Grizzlies history with three 40-point in a four-game span.
-Set the Grizzlies single-game scoring record for second straight game.
-His 22 made field goals single-game franchise record

Youngest Players With Back-To-Back 45-Point Games NBA History: Elias Sports Bureau
                                                Years/Days         Teams          
LeBron James (LAL)                21/89              Cavs
Devin Booker                             22/146              Suns
Walt Bellamy                             22/187        (CHI) Packers 
Ja Morant                                  22/200            Grizzlies

Shortest Players To Lead NBA In Paint Points Per Game In NBA History
                                                 Height            Paint PPG        Season  
Zion Williamson (NOP)           6’6”                  20.3               2020-21
Ja Morant (MEM)                   6’3”                  16.6               2021-22
LeBron James (LAL)              6’9”                  14.0               2015-16 w/Cavs
LeBron James (LAL)              6’9”                  13.6               2013-14 w/Heat
                                                             

That constant torque and physical punishment that Morant took on each drive to hoop and highlight that he put up did catch up with him during last season as he missed 25 games with left knee issue.

Morant missed 10 games with left knee issue and being in health and safety protocols for two more games (Nov. 28, 2021-Dec. 20, 2021). He missed eight straight games and 10 out of the final 11 games of 2021-22 with left knee soreness.

The Grizzlies though went 20-5 without Morant in the lineup in 2021-22, which included 10 consecutive victories following a 105-100 loss Dec. 19, 2021 versus the Trail Blazers. That streak would conclude with a 121-115 loss in overtime at the Jazz without Morant as they would drop their last three without their superstar in the lineup going 10-3 their last 13 games of 2021-22 without Morant.

Grizzlies In    With Ja Morant                 Without Ja Morant
2021-22                   36-21               W-L               20-5
                                114.7               PPG              117.8
                                +2.2               Pt. Diff.         +13.6

The main reason the Grizzlies continued to rock without Morant was the stellar play of their supporting cast led by his understudy Tyus Jones (8.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, 45.1 FG%, 39.0 3-Pt.%), who is regarded as the NBA’s “best backup point guard” behind his 7.04/1 assist/turnover ratio that he posted in leading the Grizzlies to a 19-4 mark in starting in place of Morant, which also included averages of 12.7 points and 6.6 assists on 45.0 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from three-point range.

Jones in his two seasons in Memphis has totaled four double-doubles (two each in those seasons). He totaled five in his four seasons with the Timberwolves (2015-19) all in 2018-19 seasons.

The Grizzlies with or without Morant had one of the league’s rising shooters in runner-up for Kia Most Improved Player Desmond Bane (18.2 ppg, 4,4 rpg, 46.1 FG%, 43.6 3-Pt.%: 4^th NBA).

The final pick of the First Round in the 2020 Draft (No. 30 overall) out of TCU went from a relative unknown to a major part of the Grizzlies rotation since his rookie season of the year before. His increase in minutes by +7.6 (22.3 to 29.8) led to an increase his scoring by a +9 (9.2 to 18.2) and his rebounding by a +1.3 (3.1 to 4.4). In 2020-21, Bane had three games scoring 20-plus points, including in 11 out of the final 18 games of 2021-22. Last season he nearly tripled that with 35 games with 20-plus points, including four games with 30-plus points. His 90.3 free throw percentage a season ago, which was No. 6 in the NBA surpassed O.J. Mayo’s single-season mark of 87.9 percent at the foul line in 2008-09.

Bane had a career-high 34 points with seven rebounds, and three steals in the Grizzlies 122-119 loss at 76ers on Jan. 31.

The Grizzlies went 29-6 last season when Bane scored 20 points or more.

One big reason that Bane saw his minutes increase was because the emotional leader of the Grizzlies Dillon Brooks (18.4 ppg), who missed 50 total games in 2021-22 with fractured left hand (missed 1^st 10 games: Oct. 20, 2021-Nov. 10, 2021); right hamstring soreness (missed two games: Nov. 20-24, 2021); health and safety protocols (Dec. 9, 2021 versus Lakers; missed six straight games: Dec. 26, 2021-Jan. 6, 2022); and left ankle sprain (missed 27 straight games: Jan. 9-Mar. 13, 2022).

When Brooks did play and scored 20 or more last season, the Grizzlies went 12-4. That included a career-high of 37 points on 11/25 shooting, including 4/10 from three in the Grizzlies aforementioned 105-100 loss on Dec. 19, 2021 at the Trail Blazers.

Before Morant was selected in the 2019 Draft, the Grizzlies first pillar of their now competitive team currently was forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. (16.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.3 bpg-led NBA, the No. 4 overall pick out of Michigan State University.

The son of former NBA player and NBA champion with the Spurs in 1999 Jaren Jackson, Sr. has had a mixed career to this point having battled injuries to this point. But had a solid enough year leading the league in shot blocking that he made the All-Defensive Second Team for the first time in his career.

When Jackson, Jr. blocked three or more shots in a game in 2021-22, the Grizzlies went 24-2.

He also registered a career-best seven double-doubles last season after totaling five double-doubles his first three NBA seasons. Jackson, Jr. also had a strong finish to the 2021-22 scoring in double-figures in 12 out of the final 13 games.

The Grizzlies other frontcourt player with a lot of bounce and out of this world athleticism is Brandon Clarke (10.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 64.4 FG%).

Whether he has started occasionally or come off the bench, the No. 21 overall pick in 2019 out of Gonzaga comes into the game looking to poster someone, especially when it comes to scoring on offensive putbacks with a ferociousness that it can shake you each time he is punching the ball in the hole on a putback, on a lob or on a cut to the hoop.

In his first two seasons, Clarke has registered three double-doubles each and rose that number to four in 2021-22. He scored in double-figures in 31 out of the final 42 games of last season.

Clarke was part of a unit that was No. 6 in bench points per game at 38.9 in 2021-22.

While he may not have the athleticism of Clarke or Jackson, Jr., Steven Adams (6.9 ppg, 10.0 rpg 54.7 FG%), who was acquired from the Pelicans in summer of 2021 in exchange for Jonas Valanciunas brought a level of physicality that fit in quite nicely with the Grizzlies. He also showed his skills as a player averaging a career-high 3.4 assists in 2021-22.

For the sixth consecutive season and for the seven time in his nine NBA seasons first with the Thunder, who drafted him No. 12 overall in 2013, then the Pelicans (2020-21) and the now the Grizzlies registered double-digit double-doubles, which includes the 14 he registered in 2021-22.

The Grizzlies also have a mix of other young players along that really showed promise when they got their opportunity on the floor in John Konchar, Xavier Tillman, Sr., and Ziaire Williams (8.1 ppg, 45.0 FG%), who scored in double-figures 22 times in his rookie season and when that occurred for the No. 10 overall pick out of Stanford University, the Grizzlies were 19-3. 

This mix of talented young players, whose made up the second youngest team in the NBA in 2021-22 at 24 years old registered as mentioned the fifth 50-plus win season in Grizzlies. Only the Thunder at 23.5 years of age were younger by average age of roster than the Grizzlies.

Youngest Rosters By Age In NBA In 2021-22
Thunder: 23 Years/190 Days
Grizzlies: 24 Years/151 Days
Timberwolves: 24 Years/ 211 Days

Youngest Teams To Win 55-Plus Games In A Season In NBA History
1970-71 Bucks:     66-16 Record, 25 Years/188 Days
2017-18 Raptors:  59-23 Record 25 Years/213 Days
2012-13 Nuggets:  57-25 Record, 25 Years/136 Days
2021-22 Grizzlies: 56-26 Record, 24 Years/151 Days

The Grizzlies with that young talented played to their strengths of being a team that scored well in the paint; in the open court; and on the offensive glass.

The Grizzlies were No. 1 in “The Association” in paint points per game at 57.6, offensive rebounds (14.1), second chance points (18.7), fastbreak points (17.7), and were No. 4 in points off turnovers (18.3).

The Grizzlies in 2021-22 were 30-0 when they scored 120 or more, including 11-0 when they scored 130 or more. They were 32-16 a season ago when they had five more field goal attempts than their opponent. The registered 10 wire-to-wire wins in 2021-22

The Grizzlies also registered at least 113 points in 33 out of their final 41 games in 2021-22, that included scoring at least 115 points in 27 out of their final 34 games of last season.   

Led by their guards of Morant and Jones, the Grizzlies finished No. 6 in the league in assists 26.0. When they registered 30 or more assists in a game, the Grizzlies went 28-1. 

Those offensive numbers that come from ball movement is also a product of consistently getting after it at the defensive end of the floor, where the Grizzlies finished No. in opponent’s field goal percentage (45.5); led the NBA in steals (9.8), block shots (6.5) and rebounding differential (+6.1).   

That offensive and defensive combination was on full display in two of the Grizzlies best wins in 2021-22.

                      Grizzlies Win Versus Thunder 152-79 Dec. 2,2021                        
-Largest Margin of Victory In NBA History: 73 points.

-Scoring By Quarter 1^st Quarter: 31-16; 2^nd Quarter: 41-20; 3^rd Quarter: 41-26;
4^th Quarter: 39-17; Grizzlies outscored Thunder By At Least 15 Points In Each Quarter,
First Time In NBA History A Team Has Outscored  Its Opponent By 15-Plus Points In
Every Quarter In A Game.

-Outscored Thunder 82-24 in the paint; scored 31 points off 20 Thunder turnovers;
24-9 in fastbreak points; 93-35 in bench points; 19/36 from three-point range and
60/96 from the field overall, shooting a single-game franchise record 62.5 Percent Shooting.

-152 Points Scored: Single-Game Franchise Record.

-Had 41 Assists On Their 60 Made Field Goals

-Their Previous Margin of Victory: 49 Points (133-84) Feb. 28, 2021 At Rockets; Previous
Most Points Scored In Their History 144 Jan. 3, 2007 against Warriors: 144-135 Win By
The Grizzlies.

Grizzlies 141-114 Win Versus Pelicans Apr. 9, 2022 On NBATV                      
-141 Points Scored: 3^rd Most In A Game in Grizzlies History

-Grizzlies shot 58.9 Percent From The Field (53/90 FGs); 18/35 From Three-Point
Range; Had 41 Assists On Their 53 Made Field Goals; Scored 25 Points Off 16
Pelicans Turnovers; Outscored The Pelicans 68-56 In The Paint And 24-12 In
Fastbreak Points.

-Grizzlies Blew The Game Open In Third Quarter Outscoring The Pelicans 55-33,
Going 20/26 From The Field, Including 7/10 From Three-Point Range, With 16 Assists
On Their 20 Made Field Goals.

-Grizzlies 55 Points In 3^rd Quarter Set A Franchise Record In Any Quarter And Led
119-80 After Three Quarters, Setting A Franchise Record With 16 Assists And 20 Made
Field Goals In Third Period.    

       Largest Margins Of Defeat In NBA History In Regular Season: By 50-Plus Points         
73 Points  152-79 Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder   Dec. 2, 2021
68 Points  148-80 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat                       Dec. 17, 1991
65 Points  124-59 Indiana Pacers vs. Portland Trail Blazers              Feb. 27, 1998
63 Points  162-99 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors     Mar. 19, 1972
62 Points  153-91 Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings       Nov. 2, 1991
62 Points  162-100 Syracuse Nationals vs New York Knicks              Dec. 25, 1960
61 Points  140-79 New Orleans Hornets vs. Grizzlies                          Mar. 22,2018
59 Points  143-84 Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons                      Dec. 26, 1978
59 Points  150-91 Golden State Warriors vs. Indiana Pacers             Mar.19, 1977
58 Points  Three Times
57 Points  152-95 Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder            May 1, 2021
56 Points  Seven Times
55 Points  112-57 Los Angele Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers            Jan. 11, 2011
55 Points  Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings                                    Apr. 17, 1989
54 Points  141-87 Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers             Nov. 2, 1970
53 Points  128-75 Boston Celtics vs. Sacramento Kings                       Jan. 25, 2022
53 Points  130-77 Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors           Apr. 2, 2021
53 Points  123-70 Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers                  Nov. 13, 2014
53 Points  127-74 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Chicago Bulls            Nov. 8, 2001
53 Points 129-76  Chicago Bulls vs. Houston Rockets                          Feb. 1, 1983
52 Points Six Times
51 Points Three Times
50 Points 8 Times: Two came in 2021-22
 

            Most Points In A Game In Grizzlies History: 140 Points Or More                    
Dec. 2, 2021: 152 Points (152-79) In Win versus Oklahoma City Thunder
Jan. 3, 2007: 144 Points (144-135) In Win versus Golden State Warriors
Apr 9, 2022: 141 Points (141-114) In Win versus New Orleans Pelicans
Jan. 4, 2020: 140 Points (140-114) In Win at Los Angeles Clippers

The Grizzlies work to get home court advantage to start the 2022 Playoffs was gone one game in dropping Game 1 of the First Round versus the Timberwolves 130-117 Apr. 16 on ESPN, where they trailed by as many as 13 points in dating back to the 2021 opening-round against the Top Seeded Jazz suffered their fifth straight loss in the postseason.

While they outscored the Timberwolves 60-50 in the paint and 18-9 in fastbreak points, they shot just 32-43 at the foul line.

Morant led the way with 32 points and eight assists, and two steals (8/18 FGs) on 16/20 FTs. Brooks had 24 points (7/14 FGs), making three of his four triples and 7/10 at the foul line. Bane 16 points (6/15 FGs): 3/8 3-Pt. Clarke 13 points and 12 rebounds with two steals. Jackson, Jr. had 12 points and seven blocks, but was just 4/13 shooting and missed all seven of his threes.

Morant scored 15 of his 32 points in the opening period for his second career 30-point game in the Playoffs.

Morant In      1^st Half: 19 Points, 5 Assists, 6/10 FGs, 7/8 FTs
Game 1          2^nd Half: 13 Points, 0 Assists, 2/8 FGs, 9/12 FTs

Jackson, Jr. set a new single-game franchise Playoff record with those seven block shots, topping the six rejections former Grizzlies center Marc Gasol had May 13, 2013 against the Thunder.

Grizzlies evened things winning Game 2 versus Timberwolves 124-96 Apr. 19 on TNT as they registered their second largest margin of victory (28 points in a Playoff game in their history. 

Grizzlies assumed control of the contest outscoring the Timberwolves 27-17 in the second quarter and led by as many as 32 points.

They outscored the Grizzlies 60-34 in the paint; 60-43 in bench points; and 19-8 in second chance points. The Grizzlies outrebounded the Timberwolves 48-40, including 14-4 on the offensive glass; had 29 assists on their 44 made shots; turned 20 Timberwolves turnovers into 28 points. Nine of those 20 turnovers were courtesy of steals.

Morant had 23 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. Jackson, Jr. had points and seven rebounds (5/12 FGs) going 4/7 from three-point range. Bane 16 points (5/10 FGs; 5/5 FTs); Clarke had 13 points, while Tillman, Sr. also had 13 points with seven boards; Williams had 13 points and Jones scored 10 points.

Morant had his third career 20/10/5 (points/assists/rebounds) game in the postseason.

Grizzlies took homecourt advantage back with a 105-95 win at the Timberwolves in Game 3, Apr. 21 on TNT to take a 2-1 series lead.

Bane had 26 points, six rebounds, and two steals (8/19 FGs): 7/15 from three. Clarke had 20 points and eight rebounds(6/9 FGs; 8/8 FTs). Morant had first triple-double in Grizzlies postseason history with of 16 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, and three blocks (5/18 FGs; 5/10 FTs); Jones had 11 points and five boards, going 3/3 from three and Brooks also scored 11 (4/114 FGS: 1/6 3-Pt.).

Bane’s seven made threes set a new single-game postseason record.

Grizzlies overcame a 26-point first half deficit and 25-point deficit late in the third quarter closing Game 3 on a 50-16 run over the final 15:10 that included two big threes by Jones down the stretch of the contest. Grizzlies outscored the Timberwolves 23-12 in the second quarter and 37-12 in the fourth quarter as they overcame a 47-21 deficit in the second quarter behind a 23-4 run over the final 10:28 of the period, that also had a 15-0 run final 5:45 of the first half. Grizzlies also used a 21-0 run spanning the third and fourth periods, the longest run in Grizzlies history and the longest scoring run in a Playoff game in 2017. 

The Grizzlies 26 points comeback win tied the third largest comeback win over the last 25 postseasons. They also became the third team the last 25 Postseasons to go on multiple 15-0 runs in a single Playoff game.

Grizzlies outscored Timberwolves 41-22 in bench points and 25-18 in second chance points. Outrebounded Timberwolves 48-41, including 13-9 on the offensive glass. They won despite going 20/31 at the foul line but shot 14/37 from three.

 

 

               Largest Comeback Wins In NBA Playoffs Last 25 Postseasons                       
Year           Team                   Deficit                Opponent   
2019          Clippers                 31                     Warriors
2012          Clippers                 27                      Grizzlies
2022       Grizzlies                    26                  Timberwolves
2021          Hawks                    26                        76ers
2017         Cavaliers                 26                       Pacers
2002          Celtics                     26                    (NJ) Nets

They dropped Game 4 119-118 at the Timberwolves Apr. 23 on ESPN, nodding the series at 2-2 as they fell behind by as many as 15 points. They cut the deficit to one point in the fourth quarter but never got the lead.

Grizzlies outscored the Timberwolves 50-30 in the paint; 40-23 in bench points; shot 48.8 percent from the field (42/86 FGs) and 15/32 from three and 19/25 at the foul line.

But they had only 12 fastbreak points and only outrebounded the Timberwolves 39-34. Had just six offensive rebounds for just three second chance points and had 19 turnovers.

Bane had new Playoff career-high of 34 points on 11/18 shooting with 8/12 from three. Brooks had his seventh career 20-plus point game in the Playoffs with 24 points on 10/20 shooting, including making three of his four triple tries. Clarke had 15 points and five boards. Jones scored 13 points. Morant had 11 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds, but was just 4/13 shooting.

Bane’s eight made threes set a new single-game franchise Playoff record.

Grizzlies got one step closer to ending the series with a 111-109 win In Game 5 versus the Timberwolves Apr. 26 on TNT, now lead the series 3-2.

After leading by 11 points in the opening period, the Grizzlies were down by as many as 13 points and were down 85-74 after three quarters. Down 99-88 with 6:58 left in the fourth period, Grizzlies went on a 10-0 run and Morant’s loan made three of the night put the Grizzlies on top for the first time since the opening period. Morant won the Game 5 with a driving layup out of a timeout that put the Grizzlies up 111-109 as they outscored the Timberwolves 37-24 in the fourth quarter scoring the final 13 points of Game 5.

Morant had 18 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, which included the final 13 points. Those 18 points by Morant in the final period the most in a quarter in Grizzlies Playoff history. Morant had another double-double adding 13 rebounds with nine assists, going (9/22 FGs) 11/17 at the foul line.

Ja Morant   1^st Three Quarters: 12 Points, 5/13 FGs; 2/7 FTs
Game 5        4^th Quarter:             18 Points, 4/9 FGs;  9/10 FTs

Bane had 25 points, two steals and three blocks (9/20 FGs) 3/8 from three. Clarke had a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds (/14 FGs; 3/7 FTs). Jackson, Jr. had 12 points, five boards, and two blocks.

Grizzlies became the first team in NBA Playoff history to win two games in a series after trailing by 10-plus points in the final period.

Grizzlies outscored Timberwolves 62-38 in the paint; 19-10 in fastbreak points; 23-6 in second chance points. They  had 43 bench points; 24 assists on 39 made shots and had 23 points off 23 Timberwolves turnovers. They won despite going 7/28 from three and 26/39 at the foul line.

Grizzlies outrebounded the Timberwolves 53-42, including 18-9 on the offensive glass, with nine of those 18 offensive boards coming from Clarke.

Grizzlies overcame another double-digit deficit to win Game 6 at the Timberwolves 114-106 Apr. 29 on TNT to win the series 4-2, advancing to West Semis for the first time since 2015.

Grizzlies overcame a 13-point deficit early in the third quarter and trailing 84-74 after three quarters outscored the Timberwolves 40-22 in the fourth quarter as two made threes by Bane, and one by Brooks put the Grizzlies up 101-99 with 3:03 left in the fourth period. Jones hit another triple that put the Grizzlies up 106-102 as part of a 16-7 run that put the game and the series away.

Bane had 23 points and six boards (9/14 FGs) going 5/8 from three. Brooks also had 23 points (9/19 FGs) with 5/6 on his threes. Jackson, Jr. had a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds with two blocks (6/15 FGs) going 3/6 from three. Morant had another double-double of 17 points and 11 assists with eight boards (4/14 FGs:0/5 3-Pt.) and Clarke also had a double-double as well with 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks (5/9 FGs; 7/8 FTs); Jones 10 points. 

Grizzlies in the fourth quarter went 12/23 from the field, including 6/12 from three, and 10/12 at the foul line, and outrebounded the Timberwolves 16-2, including 6-1 on the offensive glass. They had eight assists on their 12 made shots.

Grizzlies for the series outscored the Timberwolves 198-136 in the fourth period.

4^th Quarter             MEM                  MIN
Summary For         33.0     PPG       22.7
Series                      47.4%  FG%     36.4%
                                45.3%  3-Pt.%  25.0%
                                6.5   2^nd Chance 1.8
                                                Pts
                                14.5       RPG      8.3
                                  4.5   Off. RPG  1.8

Grizzlies overcame three double-digit deficits out of their four wins in the series versus the Timberwolves, first team to do that in a single postseason in NBA history.

Jackson, Jr. had his first career postseason double-double.

 

Bane was 27/56 from three-point range for the series, setting a postseason franchise record his those 27 made threes, surpassing the previously record held by O.J. Mayo, who made 20 total threes in 13 Playoff games in 2011.     

The Grizzlies in their first West Semis dropped Game 1 versus the Warriors 117-116 May 1 on ABC.

After leading for a majority of the opening half, leading by as many as 13 points in the second quarter led only 91-90 after three quarters. They overcame a 10-points deficit in the final period to lead 116-114 before the Warriors made a triple in the final minute to go up 117-116. After winning a jump ball and calling a timeout with 03.6 seconds left, Morant game-winning layup attempt missed off the backboard as time expired.

Grizzlies suffered their second defeat this postseason by one point and are 0-2 in Game 1s this postseason (both at home). They dropped to 2-2 at Fed EX Forum this postseason.  

The loss waisted 30-plus point double-doubles by Morant 34 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds; 14/31 FGs: 4/11 3-Pt.) and Jackson, Jr. (33 points, 10 rebounds, 10/18 FGs: 6/9 3-Pt.). Clarke had 12 points, eight boards, two steals.

Jackson, Jr. matched a season-high of six made threes while also registering his second straight double-double. His 33-point game was also a career-high, with 14 of those 33 points coming in the fourth quarter. He also became the third player with a 30/10 (points/rebounds) game in the postseason in Grizzlies history.  

Morant and Jackson, Jr. became the first teammates in Grizzlies Playoff history to score at least 30 points each as well as the second duo age 22 or younger with 30 points each in a Playoff game in NBA history, joining former Thunder teammates in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

They tied the series at 1-1 with a 106-101 win versus the Warriors in Game 2 May 3 on TNT.

Grizzlies led for a majority of the first three quarters up by as many as 11 points. They used a 9-2 run to put them up 104-101 and Morant capped a brilliant night with a pair of free throws as the Grizzlies closed the game on a 13-4 run after being down 97-93 midway through the final period.

Morant had a playoff career-high tying 47 points with eight assists, and eight boards on 15/31 shooting, 5/12 from three, and 12/13 at the charity stripe. Jackson, Jr. 12 points, eight rebounds, two blocks (3/14 FGs: 2/7 3-Pt.)  Williams had 14 points and five boards going 4/8 from three. Jackson, Jr. had 12 points and eight rebounds with two blocks (3/14 FGs: 2/7 3-Pt.). Clarke added 10 points.

Morant had 18 of his 47 points, on 6/11 from the field and 5/5 at the charity stripe in the fourth quarter of Game 2, scoring the Grizzlies final 15 points from the 4:16 mark of the final period.

Ja Morant   1^st  Half: 23 Points, 5 Assists, 4 Rebounds, 7/12 FGs: 2/5 3-Pt., 7/8 FTs
Game 2        2^nd Half: 24 Points, 3 Assists, 4 Rebounds, 8/19 FGs: 5/7 3-Pt., 5/5 FTs   

Players With At Least 47 Points, 8 Rebounds 8 Assists In NBA Playoff History
Russell Westbrook (LAL): 2            Ja Morant (MEM): 1
LeBron James (LAL): 2                   Kevin Durant (BKN): 1
Jimmy Butler (MIA): 1                    Michael Jordan: 1

Morant at age 22 became the youngest in NBA history with at least 47 points, eight assists, and eight boards in a Playoff game surpassing Lakers’ LeBron James who did it at age 24 in 2009 with the Cavaliers.

Morant’s streak of consecutive double-doubles concluded at six becoming the youngest player in 30 seasons with that long of a streak in one postseason.

Most Playoff Games NBA History With  45-Plus Points Before Age 23
LeBron James (LAL): 2
Kobe Bryant: 2
Ja Morant (MEM): 2

Bane has totaled 14 points on 5/17 shooting and 2/9 from three the first two games of the series.

Grizzlies were dominated in falling at Warriors in Game 3 142-112 May 7 on ABC to trail the series 2-1.

They led the Warriors by as many as 13 points in the opening period (21-8) starting 6/9 from the field. But were outscored 18-7 to close the period going 3/12 from the field, including going missing nine of their final 10 shots. The Grizzlies began Game 3 6/11 from three-point range in the opening period, with their first six made shots were threes. They were just 10/32 from three getting outscored 116-84 the final three quarters and were down by as many as 32 points.

Grizzlies 30-point loss in Game 3 worst margin of defeat in a game in franchise Playoff history.

Grizzlies Rebounding               Game 1: outrebounded 52-47
First Three Games of Series    Game 2: outrebounded 52-48
                                                    Game 3: outrebounded 38-29

Morant 34 points, seven assists, three steals, 13/21 from the floor, including 4/7 from three. Bane 16 points, (5/7 FGs) on 4/7 3-Pt. Jackson, Jr. 15 points, two steals (4/13 FGs) on 4/8 from three.

 

Morant (right knee) injured late in the fourth quarter after fighting for a loose ball against the Warriors’ Jordan Poole. Morant, who had 17 points in the first half did not return. Brooks serving a one-game suspension for a Flagrant 2 foul he had in the first quarter of Game 2 when he fouled then Warriors guard Gary Payton II on a driving layup. 

Jackson, Jr.      Game 1: 33 Points, 10 Rebounds, 3 Blocks
First 3 Games  Game 2: 12 Points , 8 Rebounds,  2 Blocks
of Series           Game 3: 15 Points, 3 Rebounds,   0 Blocks

Grizzlies lost a close Game 4 101-98 May 9 TNT, to trail in the series 3-1. Grizzlies for the majority of the first three quarter taking a 69-62 lead after three period. bBt were outscored by the Warriors 39-29 in the final period.

Jackson, Jr. led the way with 21 points, five boards, and five blocks (7/21 FGs: 0/7 3-Pt., 7/8 FTs); Jones 19 points, five assists, six rebounds, (8/18 FGs) on 3/7 from three. Brooks 12 points, eight assists, five rebounds (5/19 FGs: 2/9 3-Pt.); Adams 10 points, 15 Rebounds.

Grizzlies dominated the hustle board outscoring the Warriors 58-42 in the paint and 15-13 in second chance points. Forced 16 Warriors turnovers, with 10 coming on steals and had 10 block shots.

They were done in by 9/15 from the charity stripe and 9/35 from three-point range.

Adams (health and safety protocols) played his second straight game following a four-game absence to register his 11^th career Playoff double-double. Morant (knee) was out.

Grizzlies brought their best in Game 5 and took to the Warriors and won 134-95 in Game 5 May 11 on TNT to trail the series 3-2 leading wire-to-wire.

Grizzlies were up at one point by as many 55 points (119-64) late in the third quarter. They started the second quarter on a 24-8 to lead 53-36 and finished the first half on a 20-4 run, including a 14-0 run to lead 77-50 at intermission outscoring the Warriors 39-22 in the second quarter and then 42-17 in the third quarter.

Grizzlies outscored Warriors in Game 5 50-36 in the paint; 52-35 in bench points; 16-9 in fastbreak points; and 29-10 in second chance points.

The Grizzlies shot 47.5 FG% (47/99 FGs), 18/41 from three and 22/30 at the foul line. Outrebounded the Warriors for the first time in the series 55-37, including 18-4 on the offensive glass. They had 37 assists on their 47 made shots. Had 29 points off 22 Warriors turnovers, with 12 of those 20 turnovers on steals.

Jackson, Jr. had 21 points, eight rebounds, two steals (6/10 FGs) going 4/6 from three-point range. Jones had 21 points and nine assists, with two steals (8/12 FGs) and 4/7 from three.
Bane 21 points (6/11 FGs) and 4/6 from three. Brooks had 12 points, while Clarke (7 rebounds) and Williams each scored 11.

 

1^st Half Game 5       GS                   MEM      MEM: Jackson, Jr. 13 Pts, 7 Rebs, 2/4 3-Pt.
                                  14    TOs            4                                    Bane  13 Pts, 2/3 3-Pt.
                                    8   Bench Pts   25                                  Jones 12 Pts, 7 Asts, 2/3 3-Pt.
                                  14   Paint Pts    36                                Clarke 11 Pts, 4 Rebs, 5/7 FGs

Grizzlies Last    Game 4             1^st Half Game 5
Two Games          98          Pts              77
                             40/96     FGs          29/57
                             9/35       3-Pt.          8/18

                                    Grizzlies’ Historic 1^st Half In Game 5                               
77 Points: most in a half in their Playoff history
134 Points: Single-Game Franchise Playoff Record
Led 119-64 late in 3^rd Quarter: Second Largest Lead During A Playoff Game
By Any Team Last 25 Postseasons.
Led 119-67 After Three Quarters: Tied For Largest Margin After Three Quarters
In A Playoff Game By Any Team Past 70 Years.

Just like in 2015, the Grizzlies season concluded at the hands of the Warriors, who took them down in six games winning Game 6 of the West Semis 110-96 May 13 on ESPN, taking this series 4-2.

Grizzlies led by as many as seven in the first half and led 79-78 after three quarters. But were outscored 32-19 in the fourth quarter, including 23-7 the final 6:30 of the final period.

On a night when they shot just 35.4 percent (34/95 FGs), the Grizzlies were 15/36 from three but were just 13/20 at the foul line. Turned 19 Warriors turnovers into 18 points   were outrebounded 70-44 and were outscored 36-34 in the paint.

Brooks led the way with 30 points and three steals but was 11/28 shooting but made 7/15 of his threes, with seven made threes setting a new career-high. Bane 25 points and seven rebounds (9/16 FGs) on 4/7 from three. Jackson, Jr. had 12 points and four blocks (5/19 FGs: 1/7 3-Pt.).

Morant (bone bruise right knee) missed final three games of the series.

Over the past few years, the Grizzlies have drafted well and nurtured their young talent and built themselves into a Playoff perennial that is knocking on the doorstep of being a serious title contender if they are close to that currently.

This offseason Team Governor Robert Pera and GM Zach Kleiman, they continued to add to their talented core while also writing a well-earned check to their star lead guard.

When it came to the June’s Draft, they made three deals where they acquired from the Timberwolves the draft rights to forward/guard Jake LaRavia (No. 19 overall pick) out of Wake Forest University and 2023 Second Round pick. They deal to the Timberwolves the draft rights of forward/center Walker Kessler (No. 22 overall pick) out of Auburn University and TyTy Washington (No. 29 overall pick) out of University of Kentucky.

In a deal with the 76ers, the Grizzlies acquired the draft rights to forward David Roddy (No. 23 overall pick) out of Colorado State University and veteran forward/guard Danny Green (5.9 ppg, 38.0 3-PT.% w/76ers) in exchange for guard De’Anthony Melton.

In a trade with the Spurs the day after the 2022 Draft, the Grizzlies acquired the draft rights to guard Kennedy Chandler (No. 38 overall pick) out of University of Tennessee in exchange for 2024 Second Round pick (via Lakers) and cash considerations.

At the start of July, the Grizzlies front office backed up the Brinks truck for Morant as they signed him officially on July 6 to a five-year, $193 million designated rookie extension that could be worth up to $221 million. Morant’s deal is the largest in Grizzlies history, topping the $153 deal that they signed current Jazz guard Mike Conley to in 2016.

The Grizzlies also on the same day inked Morant’s understudy Jones to a new two-year, $30 million deal.

One day later, they re-signed reserve guard John Konchar to a new three-year, $19 million deal.

The Grizzlies over the last two summers because of their rise to becoming a Playoff perennial have had to open their check book and paying their stars to keep the good times rolling. That is not such a bad thing because that means the players in which they have drafted have proven their worth. It means Kleiman is proving he has an eye for talent and Coach Jenkins and his staff are developing that talent to fit the team.

This means the small-market squad, in this case the Grizzlies will soon have a big payroll and have to decide if they want to pay the luxury tax. Given the wealth of Pera, who is one of the best in the world of technology and his desire to build a title contender, paying the luxury tax does not seem like a huge ask.

They extended Jackson, Jr. on a new four-year, $105 million deal in middle of October 2021 and they just paid Morant this offseason.

The Grizzlies are for sure counting their blessings because they drafted a star guard in Morant, who averaged 27.1 points, 9.8 assists and eight rebounds and three steals in 2022 Playoffs. His ability to shine brightest when it matters most and represents the city of Memphis, TN with a grace and class that is special and enjoyable.

His 115 total points the first three games of 2022 West Semis against the Warriors was the highest ever for the first three games of Semifinals series, trailing on the 118 total points Hall of Fame and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan had in 1996 East Semis against the Knicks and the 133 total points he registered in the 1990 East Semis against the 76ers.

 

 

 

Players To Average 25 Points and 10 Assists Through The First Eight Games Within A Postseason In NBA History
Ja Morant (MEM) 2022
John Wall (LAC) 2017 w/Wizards
Russell Westbrook (LAL) 2016 w/Thunder
Chris Paul (PHX) w/New Orleans Pelicans Hornets (now Pelicans)
Tim Hardaway, Sr. w/Warriors

“Honestly, no,” Morant said on Media Day on Sept. 26 on the pressure of living up to the level they played at a season ago. “I feel like, you know, there’s no pressure for us. We didn’t win the championship. So, for us it’s pretty much going to the next level. Continuing to improve and how to go win the championship pretty much.”

He added to that by saying to NBATV’s and Hornets sideline reporter for Bally Sports South Ashley Shahahmadi being named Kia MVP along with winning is a “goal” of his and he will let the MVPs and everything else “follow.”

He also said about the team taking a step towards that championship goal will require “discipline.” Being “locked in” for the entire season and “being available.” That the injuries while they did not hurt the team record wise, particularly to him bit them in the rear.

But “there bond” off the floor Morant said is what gives this team the juice that will carry them to great heights this upcoming season.

“Pretty much you’ll see everybody laughing and joking throughout the gym. Everybody gets along. Everybody be themselves around each other,” Morant said to Shahahmadi about the young Grizzlies bond. “We pretty much, you know, get it out the mud. I feel like everybody here got a chip on their shoulder. We ain’t going to let anybody play with Memphis and Memphis ain’t going to let anybody play with us.”

The thing for the Grizzlies now is deciding who they will pay and who they will move on from.

This offseason, they said goodbye to Kyle Anderson.

Next offseason, it will be decision time for Brooks, Clarke, and Bane.

Right now, it looks like Bane is a keep because of his prolific shooting ability and the inside presence they get from Clarke on both ends.

Last season, the Grizzlies even with Bane, while they shot a decent 35.3 percent from three-point range (No. 17 NBA), they were No. 23 in threes made per game (11.5) and in threes attempted (32.7).

In the postseason, Bane totaled 43 made threes (43/88 3-Pt.) on 48.9 percent from three was the most made triples in a single postseason in their history.

“I mean, just having an understanding of what it took to get there. I mean, that’s the bare minimum now moving forward,” Bane, who averaged 18.8 points in the 2022 Playoffs said at Media Day on the standard set last season. “Every season is a new and we’re starting from scratch, you know. And there’s going to be new challenges. There’s going to be new highs, new lows.”

“So, Coach [Jenkins] preaches taking it a day at a time. But we understand the habits and  the foundation and things we have to develop in order to make that run and make it happen.”   

Clarke will have a chance to prove himself worthy of a big deal at the start of this season because Jackson, Jr. in late June had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot and will be on the mend for 4-6 months. That means he won’t comeback until December or possibly the start of 2023.

“It doesn't really change at all. I’m just kind of grateful to even be in this spot where I’m able to sign this,” Clarke said at Media Day about being extension eligible. “I really do love like playing here. Playing here these past three years. Year 4 coming now has been a dream for me. It’s been very fun. It’s been awesome. I love it here. “

Clarke who averaged 16.5 points and nine rebounds in the First Round versus the Timberwolves registering three double-doubles averaged just 8.2 points and 4.8 boards in the Semis against the Warriors.

Clarke, Tillman, Sr. as well as Adams, who signed a two-year, $25.2 million extension right before the start of training camp will have to be the force on the interior until Jackson, Jr. returns.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Clarke said at Media Day about whether he starts or comes off the bench. “I think I’ve proven what I can do as a player and I feel like I’ve proven that I can be on the court and I can play versus, you know, like the best players in the league. I can start. I can come off the bench. I can do whatever…I’m just really glad to be here in the first place and be able to play here. ”

Then there is Brooks, who has been to this 2.0 version of “Grit ‘N’ Grint” like Tony Allen was to the original “Grit ‘N’ Grind” era of he Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Zach Randolph. Only Brooks is more of an offensive threat.

That said, everybody cannot be paid and with Bane, Williams, along with the incoming rookies in Roddy, LaRavia and Chandler, the Grizzlies are lined up to move on from Brooks if they cannot re-sign him.

But Brooks is here for this season and that is where his focus lies. He said that Media Day that it comes down to being available “opening night.” Followed by “being available” throughout the entire season. Then towards the end of the season, Brooks said it comes down to finding a way to “still be efficient” scoring the, playing defense, and leading.

“That’s going to contribute to winning games and me getting whatever I deserve,” Brooks added.

The Grizzlies success also comes down to Jackson, Jr. coming back healthy. This will be another year were he will have to fight the rust of missing due to missing a great deal of a season because of injury. When Jackson, Jr. has been healthy he has he can be a high-level scorer who can shoot the three and protect the rim. How soon he can get back to doing that will go a long way in the Grizzlies taking it to another level in the postseason.

“It’s feeling good,” Jackson, Jr. said about his rehab on his foot fracture and about his recovery “I’m beating it if on schedule.”

They missed out on the Playoffs in 2020 falling against the Trail Blazers in the Play-In game in 2020. They made the Playoffs through the Play-In Tournament taking down the Spurs and Warriors in 2021 and lost to the Jazz in the opening round 4-1. They won a Playoff series this past season and their 2021-22 season concluded at the hands of the eventual NBA champion Warriors.

The Grizzlies have built themselves quite nicely led by Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson, Jr., Dillon Brooks, and Desmond Bane into a team that has set a standard of being a Playoff perennial. It is now about being able to continue that and set the goal of winning a title and doing it sooner while they have the core in place to do it.

“The goal is to win championships for sure. Obviously, we’ve got to play well in the regular season. So that still the first and foremost priority for us,” Coach Jenkins said at Media Day. “But as we’ve constructed our roster, obviously there’s difficult decisions that come….But we trust our depth. We understand that there’s so many guys that have been waiting for more enhanced roles that are going to contribute. They may contribute a little bit differently. But they’re impact on winning is something we talk about all the time.”

“Really excited with the group that we have. We understand that you have to build through the regular season. But understanding how we get better through the course of the regular season schematically wise, personnel wise to have variety and versatility is something that is going to be big.” 

Best Case Scenario: The Grizzlies are Top 3 Seed in rugged West again. Ja Morant is a legitimate MVP candidate. The Grizzlies become a more efficient three-point shooting team. They reach the Western Conference Finals. shooting.

Worst Case Scenario: Grizzlies are a lower seed in the rugged Western Conference and have an early Playoff exit.  

Grade: B+

 

Minnesota Timberwolves: 46-36 (3^rd Northwest Division; No. 7 Seed West; 26-15 at home, 20-21 on the road); Defeated the Los Angeles Clippers (109-104) Apr. 12 on TNT; Lost to No. 2 Seeded Memphis Grizzlies 4-2 in West Quarterfinals.

-115.9 ppg-1^st; opp. ppg: 113.3-24^th; 44.2 rpg-16^th

Aside from their eight straight postseason appearances (1996-2004), the Minnesota Timberwolves had only made the postseason twice in the last 18 years. However, something clicked a season ago. They found a connectivity on both ends. Their three stars found a connectivity. That resulted in their most wins since 2017-18, their last postseason berth. Got an emotional win in the Play-In that had those in attendance at home screaming for absolute joy. They went toe-to-toe with the Second-Best team record wise in the West before falling. With another year of the “Core Three” together. The addition of a three-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year, the goal for the Timberwolves is to make it back to the Playoff outright and win a series for the first time since this blogger was in his second year at Howard University.  

The Timberwolves had a six-game losing streak (Oct. 30, 2021-Nov. 12, 2021) to fall to 3-7. In seasons past, a losing streak like that would have snowballed into a lost season for the guys from the “Twin Cities.”

That would not be the case this season as the Timberwolves went 8-3 their next 11 games, which included a five-game winning streak (Nov. 17-26, 2021) and they would go 43-29 the remainder of 2021-22. They had a league-best 23-game improvement from 2020-21 to 2021-22.

Timberwolves Major Winning Streaks in 2021-22
6-Gamer: Feb. 28-Mar. 11
2 5-Gamers: Nov. 17-26, 2021; Jan. 30-Feb. 11
3 4-Gamers: Dec. 11-21, 2021 and Mar. 12-21

Their 25-10 mark from Jan 5-Mar. 16 was their best 35-game stretch since 2003-04.

In 2022, the Timberwolves were tied with the Suns for the fourth best home record in the NBA at 16-5.

They had eight season-series sweeps a season ago, their most in a single-season since they registered 11 season-series sweeps in 2003-04, their last postseason appearance prior to this one. They swept the Pistons, Pacers, the Top Seeded Heat, and No. 3 Seeded Bucks from the Eastern Conference each 2-0. In the Western Conference, the Timberwolves swept the Rockets (3-0), Thunder (4-0), Trail Blazers (4-0), and Spurs (3-0).

The Timberwolves 121-120 overtime win at 76ers Nov. 27, 2021, they halted an eight-game losing streak to the boys from the “City of Brotherly Love.” Their 124-107 victory at the Nuggets on Dec. 15, 2021 snapped a 12-game losing streak to their Northwest Division rivals.

            Best Home Records In NBA In 2022                      
Grizzlies:    17-3  Timberwolves: 16-5
Mavericks: 21-4  Suns: 16-5
Hawks:       19-5  Celtics: 18-6

                Timberwolves Five Home Losses In 2021-22                
Feb. 16 vs. Raptors (103-91)   Apr. 5 vs. Wizards (132-114)
Feb. 25 vs. 76ers    (133-103)  Apr. 10 vs. Bulls     (124-120)
Mar. 23 vs. Suns   (125-116)

Getting to this point of being back in the Playoffs for the Timberwolves did not happen overnight. It took a lot of work and the right moves being made for the return to the Playoffs to become a reality.

On Feb. 6, 2020: NBA Trade Deadline, acquired All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell from the Warriors in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, a protected future First-Round pick, and a future Second Round pick.

Feb. 22, 2021, then head coach Ryan Saunders is fired and replaced by longtime NBA assistant coach and G League head coach Chris Finch.

Aug. 25, 2021, the Timberwolves acquire veteran guard Patrick Beverly

Nov. 18, 2020, with the No. 1 overall pick, the Timberwolves select Anthony Edwards out of University of Georgia.

That group together surrounded by now three-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, who when the whole world was struck by Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic lost his mother Jackie Cruz-Towns and many of his family member put it all together in 2021-22 and got the Minnesota Timberwolves back to the Playoffs.

Towns, the 2016 Kia Rookie of the Year, led the way (24.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 52.9 FG%, 41.0 3-Pt.%), who registered 40 double-doubles in 2021-22. The now three-time All-Star had 58 20-plus point games (2^nd most in a season of his career), including 16 30-plus point games (3^rd most in a season of his career), which consisted of 10 games of at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. He made over 100 threes for the sixth straight seasons with 150 total connections from three (150/366 3-Pt.).

In Timberwolves 99-96 loss Nov. 15, 2021 versus the Top Seeded Suns, Town had 35 points, 13 rebounds on 10/19 from the field, 5/9 from three and 10/11 at the foul line for his 300^th career double-double, including his 68^th career game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds.

Most Career Triple-Figure Double-Doubles In Timberwolves History
Kevin Garnett: 607
Karl-Anthony Towns: 333 and counting
Kevin Love: 256
Al Jefferson: 120

Most Career Games with 30-Plus Points and 10-Plus Rebounds In Timberwolves History
Karl-Anthony Towns: 75 and Counting
Kevin Garnett: 64
Kevin Love: 50
Al Jefferson: 16

For as much as Towns has taken criticism over the years that he shoot too many jumpers, he averaged 6.3 foul shot attempts a season ago, the now three-time All-Star for the fifth time his first seven NBA seasons averaged over five free throw attempts which includes six consecutive seasons of at least six free throw attempts.

Towns Free      Oct. 2021-Feb. 2022                         Mar. 2022                          Apr. 2022            
Throws In          5.9 FT Attempts            8.3 FT Attempts                   5.3 FT Attempts
2021-22                    82 FT%                         83.9 FT%                            76.2 FT%

Towns, who earned his third All-NBA Third Team selection in 2021-22 had the game of his career and the best scoring night in Timberwolves history when he scored an NBA-tying season-high with 60 points with 17 rebounds on 19/31 from the field: 7/11 from three-point range and 12/13 at foul line in the Timberwolves 149-139 victory Mar. 14 at the Spurs.

                        Town’s Breakdown Of 60-Point Night At Spurs                 
1^st Quarter:   14 Points, 5 Rebounds, 5/8 FGs: 1/2 3-Pt., 3/5 FTs
2^nd Quarter:  10 Points, 3 Rebounds, 4/7 FGs, 2/2 FTs
3rd Quarter: 32 Points, 6 Rebounds, 9/13 FGS: 5/6 3-Pt., 9/9 FTs
4^th Quarter:  4 Points,   3 Rebounds, ½ FGs: ½ 3-Pt.

                            Karl-Anthony Towns’ 60-Point Night At Spurs                                   
-First 50-Point Game in Timberwolves History
-Joined Hall of Famers Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, late Wilt Chamberlin, and
 76ers James Harden as the only players in NBA history to have 60 Points and
 15 Rebounds in a game.
-Became Fifth NBA Center to score 60 Points, joining Hall of Famers in late George
 Mikan, late Wilt Chamberlin, David Robinson, and Shaquille O’Neal.
 -Joined Shaquille O’Neal as just the Second Player in NBA History to score 20 Points
  and grab at least 17 Rebounds (O’Neal on his 28^th Birthday Mar. 6, 2000 scored a
  Career-High 61 points with 23 rebounds)
 -It came on the two-year Anniversary of his mother Jackie Cruz-Towns being
  hospitalized in New Jersey due to COVID-19, which she passed away from. 

               Most Points In A Quarter In NBA History                    
Klay Thompson (GS)             37 Points   2015
Kevin Love (CLE)                  34 Points   2016 w/Cavaliers
Carmelo Anthony                   33 Points   2008 w/Nuggets
George Gervin                         33 Points  1978 w/Spurs
David Thompson                    32 Points  1978 w/Nuggets
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) 32 Points  2022

 

Most Points Over Two-Game Span In Timberwolves History
Karl-Anthony Towns 2022  90 Points
Kevin Love 2014 83 Points
Andrew Wiggins 2017 81 Points
Kevin Love 2012 81 Points
Kevin Love 2012 81 Points

When the Timberwolves drafted Edwards (21.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 44.1 FG%, 35.7 3-Pt.%) No. 1 overall two years ago, the hope was he would be a headliner for the Timberwolves. He showed last season he can be that and more.

The 2021 All-Rookie First Team selection became had better efficiency with his shot, especially from three-point range. That he can rebound and defend.

As a rookie, Edwards registered 36 games of 20-plus points, that included four games with 30-plus points and two games of 40-plus points. Last season, he registered 39 games of 20-plus points, including nine games with 30-plus points and three games scoring 40-plus points.

By scoring 31 points in the Timberwolves loss (134-122) Feb. 11 at Bulls and 37 points in the Timberwolves triumph (129-120) at the Pacers Feb. 13, Edwards had the first of hopefully many back-to-back 30-plus point performances.

In his teams 124-107 victory at the Nuggets on Dec. 15, 2021, Edwards had 38 points on 14/21 shooting, including 10/14 from three, set the single-game franchise record with 10 made threes.

Edwards scored a then career-high of 48 points with six rebounds, five assists and two steals on 16/27 from the field, including 7/13 from three and 9/12 at the foul line in the Timberwolves 123-110 loss at the Warriors Nov. 11, 2021. He became the fifth youngest player in NBA history to score 45-plus points in a game.

In the Timberwolves Apr. 7 victory (127-121) versus the Spurs, Edwards scored a new career-high of 49 points, with six boards, and eight assists on 16/28 from the floor: 6/14 from three and 11/14 at the charity stripe.

      Five Youngest Players To Score 45-Plus Points In A Game In NBA History                      
                                       Date             Years/Days       Team        Opponent            Points
Cliff T. Robinson        3/9/1980            19/362            Nets           vs. Pistons            45
Brandon Jennings    11/14/2009           20/52             Bucks        vs. Warriors         55
Carl Brown                12/6/1947            20/72            Knicks      Steam Rollers        47
LeBron James           3/20/2005            20/80          Cavaliers    @ Raptors             56
Anthony Edwards     11/10/2021         20/97          T’Wolves     @ Warriors          48
Anthony Edwards     4/7/2022            20/245         T’Wolves     vs. Spurs               49

 

 

Youngest Players In NBA History To Reach 2,500 Career Points
LeBron James (LAL) 20 Years/16 Days w/Cavaliers
Kevin Durant (BKN) 20 Years/103 Days w/Thunder
Devin Booker (PHX) 20 Years/144 Days
Anthony Edwards (MIN) 20 Years/192 Days

Most Career 25-Point Games In NBA History By A Player At Age 20 Or Younger
LeBron James (LAL)        98 w/Cavaliers
Kevin Durant (BKN)         63 w/Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder
Luka Doncic (DAL)           65
Carmelo Anthony              52 w/Nuggets
Zion Williamson (NOP)    47
Anthony Edwards (MIN)  46

Most Career Total Points Before Age 21 In NBA History
LeBron James (LAL):       4,649  Points w/Cavaliers
Kevin Durant (BKN)         3,495  Points w/Thunder
Carmelo Anthony              3,283  Points w/Nuggets
Anthony Edwards (MIN)  2,295  Points
Luka Doncic (DAL)           2,899  Points

Back in 2015, Russell (18.1 ppg, 7.1 apg) was drafted by the Lakers No. 2 overall in 2015 out of “The” Ohio State University. Things did not workout for him in his two seasons in Hollywood and he was dealt to the Nets in summer of 2017 where he re-made his reputation and earned his first All-Star selection in 2019.

He was dealt to the Warriors in 2019 in the Kevin Duran deal and averaged 23.6 points in his short time with the boys from the “Bay Area” before he was as mentioned dealt for Wiggins to team up with Towns, his close friend.

Injuries prevented this twosome from really gelling on the floor together, going just 13-12 the previous two seasons. In their first one-plus seasons together, Towns and Russell had played in 25 out of possible 86 games together, with 24 out of those 25 games coming a 2020-21 as Russell missed 26 of the 30 games in 2020-21 following arthroscopic surgery to remove a lose body from his left knee. The Timberwolves went 14-11 those 25 games with Towns and Russell, including 13-11 in 2020-21.

Russell in 2021-22 totaled 176 threes (176/518 3-Pt.), the second most in a season of his career and totaled 120 made threes for the sixth time his first eight NBA seasons. He totaled 12 double-doubles, the second most in a season of his career (14 double-doubles in 2018-19 with Nets) and had 14 games with 10-plus assists.    

With Towns, Edwards, and Russell all in the lineup, Timberwolves went 34-23. They were 36-24 with Russell and Towns in the lineup in 2021-22.

When Towns, Edwards, and Russell were on the floor together, coupled with the remarkable offensive mind of Coach Finch, the Timberwolves scored a lot of points in a variety of ways.

While they were No. 22 in field goal percentage (45.7%) and No. 12 in three-point percentage, the Timberwolves led the NBA in threes attempted (41.3) and threes made on average at (14.8).

Dating back to 2020-21, the Timberwolves have attempted 30-plus threes in 101 consecutive games.

Three-Pointers By Month In 2021-22 For Timberwolves
  Months         Made 3-Pt.     3-Pt.%
Oct. 2021            13.8             42.4%
Nov. 2021           14.3              42.5%
Dec. 2021            14.1             40.4%
Jan. 2022            14.2             34.6%
Feb. 2022            15.5             41.6%
Mar. 2022           15.7             38.8%
Apr. 2022           16.2              39.3%

When the Timberwolves shot 45 percent from the floor or better in 2021-22, they 34-13. They were just 12-20 when they shot 43 percent or under from the floor, including 3-13 when they shot under 40 percent, and just 1-3 when they shot 44 percent from the field.

Most Wins Without A Loss When Outshooting the Opponent In A Game In A Season Since 1982-83
                         Season         Record
Grizzlies         2021-22          44-0
Hawks            2021-22          43-0
T'Wolves        2021-22          37-0
Mavericks      2021-22          34-0
Nuggets          1987-88          33-0

While Towns, Edwards, and Russell are the headliners for the Timberwolves, their supporting cast of Jaden McDaniels (9.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 46.0 FG%), Jaylen Nowell (8.5 ppg, 47.5 FG%, 39.4 3-Pt.%), Naz Reid (8.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 49.0 FG%, 34.3 3-Pt.%), and Taurean Prince (7.3 ppg, 45.4 FG%, 37.6 3-Pt.%) were also a major reason the Timberwolves offense was exceptional a season ago.

Reid last season totaled four double-doubles after registering three in total his first two NBA seasons.

 

 

 

Jaden McDaniels       Oct. 2021:    3.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG,  29.2 FG%
By Month In              Nov. 2021:   7.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG,  44.4 FG%
2021-22                       Dec. 2021: 10.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG,  41.2 FG%
                                    Jan. 2022:   9.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG,  48.3 FG%
                                    Feb. 2022:  11.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 50.0 FG%
                                    Mar. 2022: 12.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 51.4 FG%
                                    Apr. 2022:    6.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 50.0 FG%

Nowell, McDaniels, and Reid were part of a Timberwolves bench that averaged 38.7 points in 2021-22, No. 8 in the NBA. In the final 27 games of 2021-22, the Timberwolves reserves registered 30-plus points in 26 out of those 27 games.

Timberwolves Bench Production By Month 2021-22
      Month                    Bench PPG       NBA Rank     
Oct./Nov. 2021                 32.5                  T-20^th
Dec. 2021                          32.9                   17^th
Jan. 2022                          37.9                   11^th
Feb. 2022                         42.9                      3^rd
Mar. 2022                        47.1                      1^st  
Apr. 2022                         47.8                      6^th  

That bench production when some of those reserves had to start when Towns, Edwards, and Russell missed time because of injury or illness kept the Timberwolves afloat early in the season.

Towns in 2020-21 missed 22 total games because of dislocated left wrist and being in health and safety protocols and had missed a total of 56 games the previous three seasons after playing in all 82 games his first three NBA seasons. He only missed eight games in 2021-22, with five of those games (Dec. 23, 2021-Jan. 5) being in health and safety protocols.

Edwards missed 10 games a season ago, missing six games (Dec. 17-31, 2021) being in health and safety protocols. Also missed four games due to a left knee issue.

Russell missed 17 games in 2021-22 due to a right ankle sprain (missed two games Dec. 3-8, 2021); sore right knee (missed four games: Dec. 6-12, 2021); missed five games being in health and safety protocol; left shin contusion (missed four games: Jan. 28-Feb. 6, 2022). Timberwolves went 39-26 with Russell (7-10 without Russell) in the lineup.  

McDaniels missed 12 games a season ago, with nine of those 12 missed games because of left ankle sprain (Mar. 16-Apr. 5, 2022).  

While they ranked in the middle of the pack in paint points per game at No. 14 (47.7), the Timberwolves were No. 1 in the NBA in points off their opponent’s turnovers at 19.8; No. 5 in second chance points (14.8) and No. 4 in fastbreak points (15.2).

In 2021-22, the Timberwolves scored 50-plus points in a game 46 times.

Of their 28 wins by 10 points or more, the Timberwolves had 11 of those wins by 20-plus points in 2021-22, their second most such wins in a season in franchise history, one shy of their single-season best of 12 in 2013-14.

When the Timberwolves went 10-5 in March of last season, five of their 10 wins were by 20-plus points.

Last season, the Timberwolves had 18 40-plus point quarters which led the NBA.

       Most 40-Plus Point Quarters In NBA In 2021-22      
Timberwolves: 18      Bucks: 12    Clippers: 10
Grizzlies: 17               Jazz: 12
Hornets: 15                Spurs: 11
Hawks: 14                  Nuggets 10

Timberwolves 40-Point Quarters In 2021-22
1^st Quarter:   7 Times  3^rd Quarter: 5 Times
2nd Quarter: 5 Times  4^th Quarter: 2 Times

In 2021-22, the Timberwolves scored 110-plus points 59 times, including 32 games scoring 120-plus points, and 13 games with 130-plus points. They registered two of their 7 120-plus points games in franchise history in 2021-22, with their 149 points in their win at the Spurs as previously mentioned, the Timberwolves scored 141 points in their 141-123 victory  Jan. 9 at the Rockets. Their 149-point performance at the Spurs on Mar. 14 was their most in a road game and in a game overall in their history.

Since their 103-99 loss Feb. 21, 2021 at the Knicks, which ironically enough was the final game for Ryan Saunders as Timberwolves head coach before, was the last game the Timberwolves scored under 100 points on the road. Since then, they have scored 100-plus points in 59 consecutive road games.  

Consecutive Road Games Team Scored 100-Plus Points Last 50 Seasons
   Team        Seasons   Games
Nuggets      1980-82        79
Spurs          1978-80       63
T’Wolves    2021-22       60
Spurs          1982-84       56
Bucks         2018-20       55

As great as the Timberwolves offense was a season ago, defensively they had some good moments and some rough moments.

The good: Timberwolves in 2021-22 were No. 11 in opponent’s paint points (46.1); No. 12 in opponent’s three-point percentage (35.0%) and were No. 3 in steals (8.8) and block shots per game (5.6).

Timberwolves forced 10-plus turnovers in their final 79 games of 2021-22, a new single-season franchise record. They registered 33 games with 10-plus steals a season ago.

 

 

The bad: Timberwolves were No. 26 in opponent’s threes attempted (37.3) and No. 25 in opponent's threes made (13.1). They were dead last, No. 30 in opponent's free throw attempts (25.4); No. 26 in opponent’s fastbreak points (14.1) and No. 25 in second chance points allowed (14.1). They were dead last, No. 30 in rebound differential (-1.7).

From Jan. 13-Feb. 11, when the Timberwolves went 8-5 during those 13 games, they allowed their opponent to shoot 48.6 percent from the field, (26^th NBA); 39.7 percent from three-point range (28^th NBA) and allowed all 13 opponents to score 105-plus points, allowing on average 119.8 points (28^th NBA).

Timberwolves did go 13-4 in 2021-22 when they registered 50-plus rebounds.

Largest Fourth Quarter Comebacks By Timberwolves Since 2012-13
 Opponent          Date                        Points Down      *All under Coach Finch
vs. Rockets     3/26/2021               16*          
vs. Hornets    2/15/2022               13*
vs. Knicks      3/31/2021               13*
@ Heat          2/26/2020                12
@ Suns          3/18/2021                11*
@ Nets          11/5/2012                 11

Timberwolves Nine Double-Digit Comeback Wins 2021-22
     Date           Opponent       Points Down      Final Score
11/21/2021      @ Lakers              11                    107-83
11/24/2021       vs. Heat                12                    113-101
11/29/2021      vs. Pacers              12                    100-98
12/27/2021      vs. Celtics              12                    108-103
1/25/2022        @ Blazers              13                    109-107
2/13/2022        @Pacers                10                    129-120
2/15/2022        vs. Hornets            13                    126-120 OT
2/24/2022        vs. Grizzlies            15                    119-114
3/12/2022        @ Heat                   17                    113-104

In front of the largest and most raucous crowd they have had in a long time at Target Center, the Timberwolves punched their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2018 with a 109-104 win in their Play-In Game Apr. 12 versus Clippers on TNT to secure the No. 7 spot in the West and a date with No. 2 Seeded Grizzlies in the First Round of 2022 NBA Playoffs.

 

 

After overcoming an early eight-point deficit to lead 53-51 at the half after outscoring the Clippers 33-25 in the second quarter, the Clippers outscored the Timberwolves  33-25 in the third quarter to lead 84-78 after three quarters. Down 93-83 with 8:54 left in the final period, Timberwolves authored a 16-2 run capped by a three-pointer by Russell that put the Timberwolves ahead for good as they outscored the Clippers 31-20 in the fourth quarter.

Timberwolves outscored the Clippers 36-24 in the paint; 29-27 in bench points and outrebounded the Clippers 49-39, including 12-7 on the offensive glass, and had 10 steals. 

Edwards had 30 points on 10/21 from the floor, including 5/11 from three-point range. Russell had 29 points, five assists, six rebounds, and three steals on 10/18 from the floor, including 3/5 from three. They did however shoot just 23/37 at the foul line

Those two overcame a rough night by Towns how battled foul trouble the entire evening to produce just 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals on 3/11 shooting (5/6 FTs). He picked up his fourth foul with 3:48 left in the first half, where he had just two points on 0/7 shooting. Picked up his fifth foul with 3:47 left in the third quarter and fouled with 7:34 left in the fourth quarter.  

Timberwolves carried that momentum and took down the Grizzlies in Game 1 of their First Round series 130-117 Apr. 16 on ESPN, winning their first Game 1 of a postseason series since 2004 First Round against the Nuggets (won that series 4-1) reaching their lone West Finals. They are up in a First Round series for only the second time in their postseason history.

Timberwolves led for the majority of Game 1 leading by as many as 13. Their 130 points in Game 1 set a single-game franchise Playoff record, topping their previous record of 121 points Apr. 21, 2018 in Game 3 of the First Round versus Rockets. Their 41 points in the first quarter of Game 1 at Grizzlies set a franchise record for points in a quarter, topping their 32 points scored in Game 2 of 2004 West Finals May 23, 2004 versus Lakers.

Edwards led the way with 13 of his 36 points in the first quarter with six assists, two blocks on 12/23 from the field, including four made threes (4/11 3-Pt.). Towns had 29 points and 13 rebounds on 11/18 shooting. McDaniels had 15 points and seven rebounds, and three blocks. Russell had 10 points and nine assists (2/11 FGs).

Edwards    1^st  Half: 19 Points, 3 Assists, 7/13 FGs
Game 1      2^nd Half: 17 Poins, 3 Assists, 5/10 FGs, 3/9 3-Pt.

Timberwolves bench outscored Grizzlies bench 43-32; outrebounded the Grizzlies 46-35, including 11-8 on the offensive glass and outscored the Grizzlies 19-14 in second chance points. They shot 16/41 from three-point range.

Edwards scored 31 of his 36 points in first three quarters making him at age 20 the youngest player to score 30 points in a Playoff  game in Timberwolves history.

Day One 2022 NBA Playoffs: Players To Score 30-Plus Points Under Age 23: Apr. 16, 2022: Most 30-Plus Points On Single Day In NBA Postseason History
Tyrese Maxey (PHI): 38 Points                   Ja Morant (MEM): 32 Points
Anthony Edwards (MIN): 36 Points           Jordan Poole (GS): 30 Points

               Youngest Players With 35-Point Game NBA Postseason History                    
Year                        Player                          Team        Years/Days
2009                Derrick Rose (NYK)          Bulls             20/196     
2020                    Tyler Herro                     Heat             20/247
2022                 Anthony Edwards          T’Wolves        20/254
1980           Earvin “Magic” Johnson       Lakers          20/276

                            Most Points In First Career Playoff Game                                           
Year                          Player                        Team                 Points
2020                    Luka Doncic                Mavericks                           42
1979                John Williamson             Nets (NJ)               38
1949                   George Mikan            Lakers (MN)             37
2009             Derrick Rose (NYK)             Bulls                     36
1976                Gary Brokaw                     Bucks                    36
1970          Kareem Abdul-Jabbar           Bucks                     36
1977                Julius Erving                     76ers                      36
2022            Anthony Edwards                T’Wolves               36

Timberwolves lost Game 2 124-96 Apr. 19 on NBATV at Grizzlies, who tied series 1-1, who trailed by as many as 32 points as they shot 39.5 percent from the floor (30/76 FGs)

Timberwolves 28-point loss in Game 2 was their second largest margin of defeat in postseason history.

Edwards had 20 points and six rebounds on 4/10 from three. Towns had 15 points and 11 rebounds and two block shots. Reid had 12 points, seven boards and two block shots. Prince also had 12 points.

Timberwolves lost Game 3 104-95 Apr. 21 on TNT, where they were up by 26 points in the first half (47-21 early in the 2^nd Quarter) and led by as many as 25 points early in the third quarter and were outscored 83-56 the final three quarters, including 23-12 in the second quarter and 37-12 in the fourth quarter.

Timberwolves outscored Grizzlies 20-7 and 29-21 in points off turnovers. Timberwolves had 11 blocks and 11 steals.

Timberwolves   2^nd Quarter: 12 Points; 5/18 FGs (27.8 FG%); 2/9 3-Pt. (22.2%)
Game 3              4^th Quarter:  12 Points; 3/19 FGs (15.8 FG%); 1/11 3-Pt. (9.1%)

Russell 22 points, eight assists, five rebounds (9/21FGs) going 4/8 from three. Edwards 19 points and seven rebounds (6/13 FGs) going 4/9 from three (3/6 FTs).

Towns had just eight points, five boards, and five block shots on just four shot attempts, fewest shots in a game in his career (regular season or Playoffs). Has made seven shots and committed 10 fouls total in Games 2 and 3.

Timberwolves on Game 4 119-118 versus the Grizzlies Apr. 23 on ESPN to tie the series 2-2 who overcame a seven-point deficit to lead the remainder of the Game 4 and lead by as many as 15 points late in the second quarter behind a 17-1 run that put them up 50-35. They needed two key stops and two clutch free throws by Edwards held off a late Grizzlies rally in the fourth quarter.

Timberwolves shot 18/36 from three and 31/40 at the foul line in Game 4. They also registered eight block shots and forced 19 Grizzlies turnovers which led to 19 Timberwolves points.

Timberwolves began Game 4 3/10 from three-point range and went 15/26 on their threes the remainder of the game. They set a new single-game postseason record with those 18 made triples.

Towns led the way with 33 points and 14 rebounds (8/17 FGs) going 3/5 from three and 14/17 at the foul line. Edwards had 24 points, two steals, and three block shots (7/14 FGs) going 4/8 from three. McLaughlin had 16 points and two steals going 4/4 on his threes. Russell had 10 points and seven assists (3/12 FGs).

Towns In   1^st Half: 14 Points, 10 Rebounds, 3/6 FGs, 7/8 FTs, 5 Turnovers
Game 4     2^nd Half: 19 Points, 4 Rebounds, 5/11 FGs, 7/9 FTs, 1Turnover 

Towns scored 13 of his Playoff career-high 33 points (4/5 FGs: 2/2 3-Pt., 4/5 FTs) in the fourth quarter. He joined Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett as the only players in Timberwolves postseason history with 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in a Playoff game, which Garnett did seven times.

Timberwolves led early in Game 5 but could not get necessary stops, especially in the closing moment and lost Game 5 111-109 Apr. 26 on TNT, to trail the series 3-2.

After overcoming an early 11-point deficit in the opening period to lead by as many as 13 points but were outscored 37-24 in the fourth quarter.

Edwards tied the game 109-109 with a three-pointer with 03.7 seconds left in regulation. The Grizzlies’ Ja Morant scored on a layup with 01.0 left that wound up being the game-winner.

Towns in defeat had 28 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocks (7/15 FGs) going 5/7 from three and 9/9 at the foul line. Edwards had 22 points (8/20 FGs) going 3/9 from three. Russell had 12 points, eight assists, and two steals. Prince had 10 points.

Timberwolves, who went 14/23 on their triple tries had 23 turnovers, second most in a Playoff Game in franchise history that led to 23 Grizzlies points.

The Timberwolves season concluded Apr. 29 on ESPN with a 114-106 loss versus the Grizzlies, to lose the series 4-2.

Timberwolves outscored the Grizzlies 55-46 the middle two quarters and led by as many as 13 points early in the third quarter and led 84-74 after three quarters. The Timberwolves were outscored 40-22 in the fourth quarter, including 16-7 down the stretch.

4th Quarter Summary          MEM               MIN
Of Game 6                                40      Pts         22
                                                12/23   FGs       3/19
                                                 6/10    3-Pt.      1/11
                                                 7/10    FTs        5/7
                                                   19     Rebs        5
                                                    7      Asts         2

Coming into this offseason, the Timberwolves after their First-Round loss against the Grizzlies that they had to improve their defensively, especially rebounding wise.

Before they got to the business of improving the roster, they hand to find a leader who can steer them to find the right pieces to make the Timberwolves a championship caliber squad. They found that new leader in new Team President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, who comes over after being in that same position for nine seasons with the Nuggets, agreeing to a five-year, $40 million deal back at the start of June.

This was the first big catch for the Timberwolves, who hope this is the first of many.

“I wasn’t looking for this. It was such a unique opportunity that was presented to me. The last nine years for me have been the best nine years professionally I could have ever imagined,” Connelly said at his introductory presser joining the Timberwolves on June 1. “As you had those sleepless nights, it makes you dig even deeper internally, even more introspective, and ask yourself if it’s something you want to do. It’s a leap of faith, certainly.”

Current Timberwolves Governor Glen Taylor confirmed that the Connelly’s new deal includes bonuses for the team’s performance and ownership equity in the team.

When soon-to-be co-owners Marc Lore and MLB legend Alex Rodriguez, who are in the process of incrementally purchasing the Timberwolves for $1.5 billion from Taylor, their top priority was to find one of the NBA’s most accomplished and respected front office leaders.”

Mr. Taylor, 81 initiated the sale of the Timberwolves in 2021 with the intention of remaining on as a somewhat mentor to Lore and Rodriguez. The plan is to complete the sale of the team by 2023.

“We feel like we’ve made good decisions together as a group,” Lore said. “we just feel really good about the partnership and where we’ve been and where we’re going.”

 

Connelly has proven to be one of the best as he and Josh Kronke and current Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone put together a roster that has made the postseason the last four years, winning in the First Round in three out of those four Playoff appearances, including being in the 2020 Western Conference Finals, where they fell to the eventual NBA championship Lakers 4-1.

Connelly left the cupboard very full in Denver with the reigning two-time Kia MVP in Nikola Jokic and a roster that is coming off a 48-34 record in 2021-22 and will continue to have a lot of promise in the years to follow, especially with the return of injured standouts in guard Jamal Murry and forward Michael Porter, Jr.

The Timberwolves are banking on Connelly being someone who can be a stabilizer in the front office. He is the seventh person in the last nine years to oversee the business side of basketball for the Timberwolves since the return of the now late Flip Saunders for his second with the team before he passed from cancer in 2015. Milt Newton filled in on an interim basis for one season. Then now Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau was the leader in the front office while also being their head coach.

When Coach Thibodeau got the axe in 2018-19, the second in charge Scott Layden was the interim replacement. Three years back  the leadership reigns in the front office were turned over to Gersson Rosas but after a minute was suddenly dismissed and Sachin Gupta was put in charge until Connelly’s hiring.

“We have full confidence and trust in Tim, and he’s going to be empowered to build a first-class, world-class organization. Full stop,” Lore said back in June.

Connelly and Timberwolves first order of business was the 2022 NBA Draft and on that night of June 23, they execute three trades with draft selections they made.

In a deal with the Grizzlies, they dealt acquired the draft rights to forward/center Walker Kessler (No. 22 overall pick) out of Auburn University and guard TyTy Washington (No. 29 overall pick) out of University of Kentucky and sent the draft rights to forward Jake LaRavia (No. 19 overall pick) and a future Second Round pick to Memphis

From the Pacers, the Timberwolves acquired a 2026 Second Round pick and cash considerations in exchange for the draft rights to forward Kendall Brown (No. 48 overall pick) out of Baylor University.

In a deal with the Hornets on June 24, the Timberwolves acquired the draft rights to forward Josh Minott (No. 45 overall pick) from Jamaica and out of the Memphis University, and a 2023 Second Round pick (via Knicks).

Also on June 24, the Timberwolves in a trade with the Rockets acquired the draft rights to forward Wendell Moore (No. 26 overall pick) out of Duke University for the draft rights to Washington and Second Round picks in 2025 and 2027.

 

The Timberwolves kicked off their offseason work of improving the roster under Connelly by first signing Prince to a new two-year, $16 million deal officially on June 30. They also added forward Kyle Anderson (7.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 44.6 FG% w/Grizzlies) on a two-year, $18 million deal, who averaged 8.5 points and 5.2 boards on 47.5 percent shooting in his four seasons (2018-22) in Memphis.

On July 1, they signed Towns to a four-year, $224 million extension thanks to making All-NBA Third Team  in 2021-22, which made him eligible for this supermax extension. Towns is now locked in for the next six seasons at $295 million, counting the two remaining years left on his current deal at $70 million.

“It means the world,” Towns said to ESPN’s “Malika Andrews on the July 22 edition of “NBA Today” on signing his new deal.

“I think the fact that this organization believes in me. Sees me in their master plan and sees me in their plan for years to come just means the world. I’m honored and privileged to be wearing a Wolves jersey for much longer.”  

Connelly and the Timberwolves made their first of many big catches in either free agency or trade with the Timberwolves acquiring three-time All-Star center Rudy Gobert (15.6 ppg, 14.7 rpg-led NBA, 2.1 bpg-led NBA), 71.3 FG% w/Jazz), who finished No. 2 in the league with 53 double-doubles in 2021-22.

The Timberwolves traded a lot for Gobert sending to the Jazz veteran guard Patrick Beverly and guard Malik Beasley; forwards Leandro Bolmaro and Jarred Vanderbilt; the draft rights to Kessler;  First Round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029 (protected); and 2026 pick swap.

Gobert by his numbers has been not just one of the best defensive centers in the league but one of the defensive players in the game. The four-time All-NBA selection has won three Kia Defensive Player of the Year awards (2018, 2019, and 2021). Has been an All-Defensive selection six times (2017-22).

He definitely had Towns and Edwards excited about the possibilities of what all three of them can do on both ends.

“I just got the vision of us both ‘Twin Towers,’” Towns said to Andrews about him and Gobert on the floor together. “What we can do defensively. What we can do offensively and we all put that together for one organization. One team. I think it’s going to be very different. It’s going to be scary.”

Edwards, who found out about the acquisition of Gobert later on that day of July 6 when he was woken up from a nap after being at the gym working out after Towns called him about 10 times tell him the news concurred saying on Media Day on Sept. 26 said it was “crazy.”

 

He also said that they began having conversations about how he, Towns and Russell will be much better at the defensive end because when they get broken down off the dribble defensively “a couple of times” they don’t have to worry about Coach Finch reading them the riot act in timeouts because they now have “somebody to protect the paint.”

The man affectionately called “The Stifle Tower” has averaged a double-double in his first nine seasons with the Jazz (12.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks on 65.2 FG%), including averaging a double-double for the last six consecutive seasons. He also has led the NBA in field goal percentage in three out of the past four seasons.    

At a time when many teams in “The Association” are playing just one traditional front court player, the Timberwolves are doing something different. Mainly because they were dominated on the glass against the Grizzlies and they needed someone that can help Towns on the glass and in the paint on both ends.

The problem with that is it leaves you exposed to a team when they go small, which is what the Jazz experienced the last two postseasons in losing to the Clippers in 2021 West Semis and against the eventual West runner-up in the Mavericks in their six-game setback in the First-Round of this past year’s Playoffs.

Both teams spread the floor with three-point shooting and it left Gobert in no-man’s land having to guard someone who can stretch the floor.

Then there’s the fit of Towns and Gobert. One has the ability to score in the post and shoot from the outside in Towns and Gobert only scores off a screen and roll; on dives to the hoop off of rotations or on the offensive glass.

With the Jazz when he and now Cavalier Donovan Mitchell got into pick-and-rolls, at times Gobert when the ball was passed to him either fumbled the pass or did not always finish the play with a dunk, which became very frustrating.

There is also the fact that the Timberwolves sacrificed a lot of their draft capital moving forward to get Gobert.

For a team like the Timberwolves who reside in a cold weather city that does not have all the glitz and glamour of L.A., New York City, and Miami (South Beach) will not attract A-List talent to come and give them at least a meeting or a phone call. They have to get better via the draft and smart trades.

In this deal with the Jazz, they handed counting Kessler six First Round picks, which is more than what they had ripped from them in the Joe Smith salary-cap circumvention two decades ago.

 

 

Then there is the financial component of this. There are only three centers in the NBA’s history that signed deals worth over $200 million. There is Jokic of the Nuggets and Towns and Gobert of the Timberwolves. Joel Embiid of the 76ers just missed making $200 million last summer when he signed his extension worth $196 million.

This season, Towns will make $33.8 million while Gobert will be making $38.2 million.

Towns aforementioned supermax extension that he signed in the offseason does not kick in until 2024-25 and runs through the 2027-28 season. That will be in the middle of Gobert last year of his deal ($46.6 million) in 2025-26 and Towns will be making $54.1 million, which equates to them both combining for $100 million of the Timberwolves payroll.

The good news is that one is an offensive threat in Towns and the other makes their wad of money at the defensive end in Gobert. Towns also is a willing and effective passer as well being a solid three-point shooter. So, the high-low between him and Gobert if deployed right by Coach Finch has a chance. They just have to get on the same page and that will take time.

Defensively, the Timberwolves should be much better because last season when Towns helped out on dribble penetration and trying to clean up at the rim often got him into foul trouble and broke his concentration to where he would get into several discussions with the referees. With Gobert on the floor that hopefully will not be an issue this season. 

“Just watch us. Watch us do it. It’s simple as that,” Towns, who averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in the First-Round versus the Grizzlies said to Andrews on the Timberwolves building their team around a legit power forward and center.

“With his [Gobert] defensive ability. His size and my ability to shoot the basketball and do the things I can do and the things he can do, we’re possibly talking one of the best meshes together of the big men in this kind of way of playing.”

In filling out the rest of the roster, the Timberwolves signed in early July guard Bryn Forbes (8.8 ppg, 41.9 3-Pt% in 75 games w/Spurs & Nuggets) on a one-year, $2.2 million deal. In the middle of July, they signed veteran guard Austin Rivers (6.0 ppg, in 62 games w/Nuggets) on a one-year, $1.8 million deal. In late July they signed forward/center Eric Paschall to a one-year, $1.7 million deal.

With the pieces in place in the “Twin Cities,” there is a quiet optimism that the Timberwolves can build off of last season. It just comes down to them understanding the work that will be necessary for them to put in.

They have an exceptional talent in Karl-Anthony Towns, who has put up solid numbers throughout his career. For him it is about being a player that can put up those same numbers and have an impact on both ends of the floor. It is about him keeping his concentration when he at times will get in foul trouble. It is also him understanding that building chemistry with Gobert to where they are not bumping into each other on both ends is crucial to the Timberwolves success this upcoming season and moving forward.

 

 

 

Karl-Anthony Towns                       In Two Wins              In Four Losses
First-Round 2022 Playoffs                     31.0             PPG           15.3
Against The Grizzlies                              13.5             RPG            9.5
                                                                  17.5          FG Att.         11.3

“I think all the fans in Minnesota are expecting the same thing, championship or bust,” Towns said to Andrews about the team’s expectations for 2022-23.

“The fans want to see a championship…Everyone wants to see a championship. This organization’s looking for a championship. They want it as bad as ever. So we’ve got to go out there and get it done.”

Gobert brings something that the Timberwolves did not have a season ago. A legitimate deterrent in the paint, who will rebound, protect the basket, set screens to get people open and can be a dynamic roller to the rim.

With the offensive arsenal the Timberwolves have, Gobert should have even more chances to score off on offensive putbacks and on dives to the rim when the opposing team is in rotation in getting his teammates off the three-point line.

The Timberwolves gave up a lot to get Gobert and their future depends a lot on how he performs.

“I don’t think there’s a ceiling,” Gobert said about the Timberwolves roster and their goals of winning a championship. “When you look at the roster. The talent that we have in this group, I mean, it’s pretty incredible. I think the skies the limit for this group.”

“I’m lucky to be surrounded by a group of guys that can I think really accomplish anything. Now it’s about building the right habits and just keep learning. Keep getting better every day.”

In Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves have as Rodriguez said this summer at the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas, NV, “one of the most exciting young players in the league.”

Edwards has shown his first two NBA seasons through his exuberance and charisma off the floor and explosive scoring ability, and generational athletic ability where he has put a repertoire of highlight offensive moves from attacking the rim to shooting from three to be a legitimate Kia MVP candidate not too long from now.

“I want to be the face of the league,” Edwards said one time a season ago.

For Edwards, it is about being able to harness that ability and be consistent with it on both ends of the floor with the understanding that every decision that he makes is under a microscope.

At Media Day, Edwards faced the music after he was fined $40,000 for his use of offensive and derogatory language on social media and making homophobic comments while he observed a group of people that stood on a sidewalk during a post on his Instagram page, which has been deleted.

Edwards on Sept 26 that his actions were inappropriate and apologized through a statement on his Twitter account following the incident. He also said on Media Day that he “respects” all people and that what he posted was “immature” and that he was sorry if he hurt anyone as well as to Timberwolves fans.

“I’m willing to do whatever, man. Whatever it takes to make it right,” Edwards added. “To show everybody that I come with respect and that’s not who I am and I’m willing to take it as far as I need to.”

The there’s Russell, who really struggled in series against the Grizzlies, after torching them in the regular season.

With there going to be very little creases to do damage in the paint with Towns and Gobert occupying that territory, Russell has to improve his efficiency as a jump shooter. With Gobert in the fold though, that should provide more chances for the two to score via the lob, which should lead Russell to registering if things go right close to nine or 10 assists easily.

D'Angelo Russell     Regular Season:    31 PPG, 6.8 APG, 55.8 FG%, 46.3 3-Pt.%
2021-22 Against       2022 First Round: 12.0 PPG, 6.7 APG, 33.3 FG%, 38.7 3-Pt.%
The Grizzlies

Last year, the Minnesota Timberwolves came out of nowhere to make the Playoffs for just the second time in the last 18 years. This offseason with new leader Tim Connelly, they swung for the fences to get who they feel will be a real difference maker in Rudy Gobert to pair with Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell.

They mortgaged future draft picks and a couple of key players that got them to the Playoffs (through the Play-In Tournament) a season ago. With the Western Conference being even more stacked, the Timberwolves finding their groove to start 2022-23 will make all the difference if they are playing basketball late in the spring of 2023 and in the years to come.

“I think we have a great mix. I think we have what you want,” Coach Finch said at Media Day about the Timberwolves’ 2022-23 roster.

“You have established players. You have high level players that have played high level winning basketball for a very successful franchise. You have high level talented players coming into their own.”

“They have tasted winning and you have young players still learning a lot about being young professionals and what it takes to compete at the highest level.”

Rodriguez echoed those same feelings saying, “We do feel like we have a nice window here. We think with this core group [Towns, Edwards, Russell, and Gobert], we’ve put ourselves in the best position to win long term. So, we’re really excited about Minnesota basketball.”

Best Case Scenario: The Timberwolves are fighting for homecourt in a stacked Western Conference. The Towns/Gobert tandem works and the Timberwolves are a Top 10 offense and Top 10 Defense. They have Top 5 scoring bench. Are a more efficient three-point shooting team. They each the West Semifinals for the first time since 2004.   

Worst Case Scenario: The Timberwolves defense is still suspect. The Towns/Gobert pairing struggles. The defense remains an issue. They are fighting to make the Playoffs through the Play-In Tournament.

Grade: B+

New Orleans Pelicans: 36-46 (3^rd Southwest Division; No. 8 Seed West; 19-22 at home, 17-24 on the road); Defeated the San Antonio Spurs (113-103) in Play-In Tournament Apr. 13 on ESPN. Defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in L.A. (105-101) in Play-In Tournament Apr. 15 on TNT. Lost to No. 1 Seeded Phoenix Suns 4-2 in West Quarterfinals.

-109.3 ppg-21^st; opp. ppg: 110.3-13^th; 45.2 rpg-11^th

The New Orleans Pelicans had a rough start to 2021-22 under their first-year head coach as well as being without their superstar pillar. They made a key trade before the Feb. 10 trade deadline that brough in an All-Star caliber player that also brought leadership. They pulled themselves together and made the Playoffs through the Play-In Tournament and gave the top Seeded boys from the “Valley of the Suns” a good run before falling in the opening-round. With their superstar back in the fold and his contract situation handled. Him being paired with a fellow former All-Star and exceptional center. Coupled with another year of experience for their youngsters as well as couple of new ones in the fold, the goals for the Pelicans for 2022-23, make it back to the Playoffs.

When Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin hired head coach hired former Suns assistant coach Willie Green to be their new leader on the sidelines, he was assigned a team with a super star player and a supporting cast that had the makings of something special.

It was a nightmare to being as No. 1 overall pick in 2019 Zion Williamson was lost for the season after suffering a Jones fracture in his right foot while performing basketball drills with his stepfather, that required surgery.

There was hope that he would return in late December 2021 when the team made that announcement in mid-October 2021. That never came to fruition and Williamson was lost for the entire 2021-22 season when the team officially announced that in mid-March.

The Pelicans began the season in horrific fashion at 1-12 and were 3-16 after their first 19 games of last season. Yet they pulled themselves off the pavement and got back on track going 18-16 their next 34 games to be 21-32.

Winning Streaks By The Pelicans Following Their 3-16 Start To 2021-22
Four-Gamer: Dec. 15-26, 2021        Four-Gamer: Feb. 25-Mar, 4, 2022
Four-Gamer: Feb. 1-10, 2022          Three-Gamer: Mar. 27-Apr. 3, 2022

A 7-3 mark their final 10 games got the Pelicans into the Play-In Tournament and made the Playoff through there (more on this later). That included a comeback 116-108 victory Mar. 27 versus the Lakers, where their 23-point comeback tied the second largest come from behind win in Pelicans’ history.

How did the Pelicans reach the postseason? That multi-layered climb was highlighted by the acquisition of guard CJ McCollum (22.1 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.3 rpg, 46.0 FG%, 38.8 3-Pt.% in 62 games w/Trail Blazers & Pelicans) from the Trail Blazers along with forward/center Larry Nance, Jr. (7.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 52.2 FG% in 46 games w/Trail Blazers & Pelicans) and forward/guard Tony Snell in exchange for forward/guard Josh Hart, guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, guard Tomas Satoransky, forward Didi Louzada, a protected 2022 First Round pick; a 2026 Second Round pick (whichever is best between the teams) and a 2027 Second Round pick (whichever is best between the teams).

McCollum brought not only scoring as well as his ability to facilitate, he brought instant leadership and credibility to the Pelicans, which resulted them having more connectivity on the hardwood.

The fact that the Pelicans were able to get McCollum and that he played for them is amazing because early last season with the Trail Blazers he missed 22 straight games (28 total missed games) from Dec. 6, 2021-Jan. 17, 2022 because of a collapse lung he suffered in the 145-117 loss by the Trail Blazers Dec. 4, 2021 versus the Celtics. He did return to the lineup in the middle of January and got his feel back.

In 26 games with the Pelicans, McCollum averaged 24.3 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds on 49.3 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three in 26 games.

The Pelicans were 21-32 when McCollum arrived. They were 15-14 the 29 games that he played missing only two games because of health and safety protocols.

McCollum’s outside shooting was extremely helpful for the Pelicans because last season, they really struggled shooting the ranking No. 23 in field goal percentage (45.7%); No. 27 in three-point percentage (33.2%) and were No. 28 in threes made (10.6).

Counting his time with the Trail Blazers, McCollum made 182 threes a season ago (182/469 3-Pt.).

The Pelicans had hoped the addition of Devonte Graham (11.9 ppg) would improve the Pelicans shooting accuracy from three and overall shooting on the perimeter. While he made 192 total triples a season ago, the third most in franchise history, Graham struggled with his shooting overall at 36.3 percent in 2021-22.

Devonte Graham            2019-20: 18.2 ppg, 7.5 apg, 38.2 FG%, 37.3 3-Pt.% (218/585 3-Pt.)
Previous Two                  2020-21: 14.8 ppg, 5.4 apg, 37.7 FG%, 37.5 3-Pt.% (179/477 3-Pt.)
Seasons With Hornets

Most Total Made Threes In New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans History: Top 11
Peja Stojakovic      2007-08      231        Brandon Ingram   2019-20  150
Ryan Anderson      2012-13      213        Lonzo Ball             2019-20  148
Devonte’ Graham  2021-22      192        Darius Miller        2017-18  147 
Baron Davis           2003-04      187         Peja Stojakovic     2008-09  145
JJ Redick               2019-20      180        Brandon Ingram   2020-21  143
Lonzo Ball             2020-21      172

The Pelicans also got back on track because 2020 All-Star Brandon Ingram (22.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.6 apg, 46.1 FG%).

After registering eight total double-doubles his first three seasons with the Lakers, Ingram, who came over in the deal for Anthony Davis summer of 2019 has totaled 20 double-doubles his first three seasons with the Pelicans, including seven double-doubles as season ago.

               20-Point Games By Brandon Ingram By Season                       
2016-17 w/Lakers: 2 Games             2019-20 w/Pelicans: 46 Games
2017-18 w/Lakers: 16 Games           2020-21 w/Pelicans: 45 Games
2018-19 w/Lakers: 20 Games           2021-22 w/Pelicans: 35 Games

       Most 30-Point Games By Brandon Ingram By Season                     
2017-18 w/Lakers: 1 Game              2020-21 w/Pelicans: 12 Games
2018-19 w/Lakers: 3 Games             2021-22 w/Pelicans 10 Games
2019-20 w/Pelicans: 11 Games

Ingram had his third career 40-point game when he scored a season-high 40 points on 15/28 shooting, making three triples (3/10 3-Pt.) and 7/8 at the foul line in the Pelicans 118-108 win versus the Rockets.

To put into context the importance of Ingram’s play a season ago, when he played the Pelicans were 29-26 and without him, they were just 7-20.

He missed 27 total games with a bruised hip (missed seven straight games: Oct. 30, 2021-Nov. 13, 2021); sore left Achilles (missed two games: Dec. 28, 2021-Jan. 3, 2022); ankle issue (missed five straight games: Jan. 24-Feb. 1); strained hamstring (missed 10 straight  games: Mar. 8-27).

Then there was the exceptional efforts both as a scorer, rebounder, interior presence on both ends from center Jonas Valanciunas (17.8 ppg, 11.4 rpg-7^th NBA, 54.4 FG%), who was dealt to the Pelicans in summer of 2021 in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, and a protected 2022 First Round pick. 

The former Raptor and Grizzlies center registered the second highest scoring average of his 10-year career.

His 50 double-doubles, which was a career-high for a season and his nineth consecutive season registering double-digit double-doubles. That included 15 games of 15-plus points and 15-plus rebounds by the Lithuanian native in 2021-22. He also last season joined Anthony Davis (2018-19) and perennial All-Star DeMarcus Cousins (2017-18) as the three players to average 18-plus points and 12-plus rebounds and two-plus assists for a season.

On top of that, Valanciunas was one of six players a season ago to average 18-plus points and 10-plus rebounds, joining All-Stars Joel Embiid of 76ers; two-time Kia MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks; Kings Domantas Sabonis; reigning back-to-back Kia MVP Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets; and Bam Adebayo of the Heat.

Jonas Valanciunas                2019-20 w/Grizzlies: 39 Double-Doubles: T-10^th NBA with
Double-Double Ranks          Mavericks Luka Doncic
Last Three Seasons               2020-21 w/Grizzlies: 49 Double-Doubles: T-3^rd NBA with
                                                Jazz’s Rudy Gobert
                                                2021-22 w/Pelicans: 50 Double-Doubles.

In the Pelicans 108-102 victory Mar 9 versus the Magic; McCollum (32 Points, Eight Assists on 14/27 FGs) and Valanciunas (30 Points, 15 Rebounds) became the first Pelicans teammates to score 30-pluu points each in same game since Williamson and Lonzo Ball did it May, 1, 2021 in the Pelicans 140-136 overtime win at the Timberwolves. Williamson had 37 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists on 14/17 shooting and 9/15 at the foul line. Ball had 33 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals on 10/21 from the field, including 8/17 from three.

With their struggles from the outside, the Pelicans scored through energy and hustle plays a season ago. They were No. 6 in “The Association” in fastbreak points (14.3); No. 3 in second chance points (15.1); and No. 9 in points off turnovers (16.6).

The Pelicans generated those points through an aggressive form of defense where they ranked No. 3 in rebounding differential (+3.4); were No. 7 in steals (8.3); and No. 9 in points off turnovers (13.7)

In The Pelicans Last 15        53.2 Paint Points: 5^th NBA
Games Of 2021-22                 16.7 Fastbreak Points: 6^th NBA
                                                19.9 Second Chance Points: 2^nd NBA
                                                20.2 Points off Turnovers: 2^nd NBA

                Pelicans The Final 10 Games of 2021-22: Went 7-3                 
                    Offense                                                      Defense                   
51.2 Paint Pts: 9^th NBA                                10.9 Fastbreak Pts: 5^th NBA
17.2 Fastbreak Pts: 6^th NBA                         12.7 2^nd Chance Pts: T-9^th NBA
18.6 Second Chance Pts: 2^nd NBA               15.5 Pts Off Turnovers: 8^th NBA
20.7 Pts Off Turnovers: 2^nd NBA

The other area where the Pelicans were strong at offensively was at the foul line, where they were No. 6 in free throw attempts (23.2) and were No. 10 in free throw percentage (78.9%).

That was led by the career-best of Ingram of 5.9 free throw attempts as season ago, followed by the foul shot attempts by McCollum and Valanciunas at 3.9 each where they shot. Outside of McCollum’s 68.2 percent at the foul line, Ingram and Valanciunas shot well at the charity stripe at 82.6 and 82.0 percent respectably.

The Pelicans got major contributions from their rookies forward Herbert Jones (9.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.7 spg, 47.6 FG%), forward/guard Trey Murphy III (5.4 ppg, 38.2 3-Pt.%) and guard Jose Alvarado (6.1 ppg, 44.6 FG% in 54 games).

Jones, who made the 2021-22 All-Rookie Second team scored a career-high of 26 points with seven rebounds and three blocks 10/18 shooting in the Pelicans 108-104 victory Dec. 28, 2021 at Cavaliers. In the Pelicans 113-105 triumph Feb. 4 at the Nuggets, Jones scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, going 8/10 from the floor, including making three of his four triple tries.

Murphy III in the Pelicans 142-120 loss versus the Hornets scored a season-high 32 points with nine rebounds on 12/20 shooting and 4/7 from three. He had 21 points making again 4/7 from three in the Pelicans 116-108 comeback win Mar. 27 versus the Lakers.

Alvarado had a season-best 23 points, with five assists and five boards on 10/14 from the floor in the Pelicans 107-103 loss Mar. 26 versus the Spurs.

Most Combined Points By Rookies In NBA In 2021-22
Thunder: 2,894 Pts   Pistons: 1,548 Pts
Rockets: 2,604 Pts     Raptors: 1,420 Pts
Pacers: 1,998 Pts       Pelicans: 1,406 Pts
Magic: 1,838 Pts

The rookies coupled with the strong play of forward/center Jaxson Hayes (9.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 61.6 FG%) and Willy Hernangomez (9.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 52.0 FG%) showed how deep the Pelicans were. That not even mentioning guard Kira Lewis, Jr. who missed the final 57 games of 2021-22 after tearing his right ACL and suffering a Grade 2 sprain to his MCL Dec. 8, 2021 versus the Nuggets (120-114 loss in overtime).  

In the Play-In Tournament, the Pelicans won 113-103 Apr. 13 versus the Spurs on ESPN building a lead as big as 21 points but needed scores from Ingram and Valanciunas to hold off a Spurs rally.

Pelicans outscored the Spurs 56-38 in the paint and had seven block shots.

McCollum had 32 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, on 12/23 shooting, including 3/5 from three. He had 27 of those 32 points in the first half, with 19 of those 27 first half points coming in the second quarter.

Ingram had 27 points, five boards, and five assists on 11/19 shooting. Valanciunas had 22 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks. Jones had 12 points, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Alvarado had 12 points, making three of his four triples.

The Pelicans punched their ticket back to the postseason after a three-year absence with a 105-101 victory Apr. 15 at the Clippers on TNT.

The Pelicans led by as many as 16 points in the opening half and led 56-46 at intermission but were outscored 38-18 in the third quarter to trail 84-74 after three quarters. They outscored the Clipper though 31-17 in the fourth quarter using an 11-0 to cut their deficit to two and tied it at 88-88 on a three-pointer by McCollum and Murphy hit a three to tie it 94-94 that ignited a 10-0 run that put the Pelicans up 101-94 and pulled away for the win.

Pelicans outrebounded the Clippers 54-45, including 17-12 on the offensive glass. They outscored the home team 50-42 in the paint; 37-33 in bench points and 20-13 in second chance points.

Ingram led the way with 30 points, six rebounds, six assists on 14/21 from the field, with 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists on 9/13 shooting in the opening half. Nance, Jr. had his first double-double of the season with 14 and 16 rebounds, with 10 points and nine boards in the first half also. Murphy III had 14 points and five rebounds hitting 4/6 from three.

Counting the regular season following a 1-12 start to 2021-22, the Pelicans went 37-34 counting the two Play-In victories.

Before arrival of McCollum, Pelicans were 22-32. They went 15-14 since acquiring McCollum from the trail Blazers, including the wins in the Play-In games.

The Pelicans in their first Playoff never led in dropping Game 1 of the First Round at the Suns 110-99 Apr. 17 on TNT down by as many as 23 points.

Pelicans did cut their deficit to 79-71 after three quarters outscoring the Suns 37-26 in the third period and got to within eight points in the final period but got no closer.

Pelicans outrebounded the Suns 55-35, including 25-5 on the offensive glass and outscored them 29-22 in bench points and 29-7 in second chance points. But the Pelicans only shot 37.9 percent from the field in Game 1 (36/95 FGs) and 9/23 on their threes, and 18/26 at the foul line.

McCollum in defeat had 25 points, six assists, and eight rebounds, but was just 9/25 shooting and 3/8 from three. Valanciunas had 18 points and a single-game franchise Playoff record 25 rebounds but was just 7/21 from the field. Ingram had 18 points and five boards but too struggled on just 6/17 shooting. Nance, Jr. had 14 points and six boards.

Pelicans in the opening half of Game 1 had just 34 points on 11/49 shooting for 22 percent.

They got together for Game 2 and won at the Suns 125-114 Apr. 19 on TNT to tie the series 1-1.

Pelicans, who led 61-56 at the half outscored the Suns 69-53 in the second half, creating separation in the third period outscoring the Suns 34-22.

Pelicans after going 9/23 from three in Game 1, were 17/30 on their triples in Game 2 with their 17 made threes setting a single-game franchise Playoff record and shot 54.8 percent overall from the floor in Game 2. Had 32 assists on their 46 made shots.

Pelicans outrebounded the Suns 43-33, including 11-8 on the offensive glass. Had six block shots. Got 32 points from their bench. Outscored the Suns 16-9 in fastbreak points.

Ingram had a double-double with 37 points and 11 rebounds with nine assists on 13/21 from field and made all three of his three-pointers.

McCollum had 23 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds (7/18 FGs) made 6/10 of his threes and set a new single-game franchise record for threes made in a Playoff game.

Pelicans were down 79-71 after three quarters in Game 1, a point differential of minus eight. They were up 90-83 after three quarters in Game 2, a point differential of plus seven.

The Suns regained home court advantage winning at the Pelicans 114-111 in Game 3 Apr. 22 on ESPN, to take a 2-1 series lead.

After getting outscored 31-19 in the second quarter and trailing 59-48 at half and 66-53 early in the third quarter, the Pelicans fought back with a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 66-63 and got to win 81-79 after three quarters outscoring the Suns 31-22 in the third quarter. The Pelicans kept things close in the fourth period but the Suns postseason experience got them to the finish line.

Pelicans outrebounded the Suns 45-35, including 11-9 on the offensive glass. Had 25 bench points and shot 24/31 at the foul line. But were just 11/32 from three (34.4%).

Pelicans in      1^st  Half: 15/41 FGs, 36.6 FG%, 5/17 3-Pt.
Game 3           2^nd Half: 23/38 FGs, 60.5 FG%, 6/15 3-Pt.

Ingram 34 points, seven rebounds, 11/19 shooting, 3/6 from three-point range, and 9/10 at the charity stripe. McCollum 30 points, six assists, two steals, 11/23 FGs, 4/11 from three (4/8 FTs). Graham 12 points, five rebounds, 3/6 from three. Jones also had 12 points.

Ingram became just the second player in team history with 30 points in consecutive Playoff games, joining Davis.

Pelicans tied the series up 2-2 with a 118-103 win in Game 4, Apr. 24 on TNT as like Game 2 dominated the Suns in the second half outscoring them 69-52, including 35-23 in the third quarter. They used a 12-0 run when up 89-85 left in the fourth period to put the game away as they built the lead to as high as 18 points.

Pelicans outrebounded the Suns again 48-39, including 19-12 on the offensive glass and had eight steals.

The biggest difference was the charity stripe where the Pelicans shot 32-42 compared to the Suns 10/15.

Through the first four games of the series, the Pelicans outshot the Suns in free throw attempts 119-81.

Ingram had 30 points with five assists on 11/23 from the field and 7/10 at the foul line.

Valanciunas after scoring six points with 11 rebounds on 1/5 shooting in Game 3 had 26 points and 15 rebounds on 9/15 from the floor and 7/11 at the foul line in Game 4.

McCollum had 18 points and nine rebounds, while Jones had 13 points, two steals, and three blocks, going 7/8 at the foul line.

Ingram joined Hall of Famer Allen Iverson and the Lakers’ LeBron James as the only players with three 30-point games in their first four career Playoffs games since the 1976-77 NBA/ABA merger.

Ingrams 119 total points his first four career Playoff games are fifth most by any player since 1976-77 NBA/ABA merger. He joined James (137) and his teammate Davis (126), Mavericks Luka Doncic (126) and Grizzlies Ja Morant (124).  

The Pelicans entered Game 4 having committed 46 total turnovers and getting outscored 72-27 (-48 differential) in points off turnovers. Pelicans had just nine miscues in Game 4 that led to only 10 Suns points, while forcing 13 Suns turnovers and scoring 14 points off them.  

Players To Average 28-Plus Points, 5-Plus Rebounds, 5-Plus Assists Their First Four Career Playoff Games
Brandon Ingram (NOP)  2022
Luka Doncic       (DAL)   2020
LeBron James    (LAL)   2006 w/Cavaliers
Michael Jordan               1985 w/Bulls

The Pelicans never led like the did in Game 1 and they fell at the Suns 112-97, to lead the series 3-2 and trailed in Game 5 by as many as 18 points.

Down 59-46 at the half, Pelicans outscored the Suns 32-30 in the third quarter to pull within 89-78 after three quarters and pulled with 100-93 with under two minutes left but were outscored 12-4 to close the game.

Pelicans had six of their 15 turnovers in the opening period and the Suns scored 23 points off those 15 turnovers in Game 5. They also shot just 40 percent from the floor (32/80 FGs) and just 5/25 from three. 

That offset another dominant night on the glass as the Pelicans outrebounded the Suns 47-40, and 13-6 on the offensive glass. Went 28/35 at the foul line compared to the Suns 16/20 and outscored the home team 15-6 on second chance points.

Ingram in defeat had 22 points, five boards, and five assists, on just 7/19 from the field and 7/11 at the foul line. McCollum 21 points, five assists, and eight rebounds, and two blocks, but was only 7/22 from the floor, including 1/8 on his threes.

A valiant effort in Game 6 at home was not enough as the Pelicans dropped Game 6 at home to the Suns 115-109 Apr. 28 on TNT to lose the series 4-2.

They outscored the Suns 30-20 in the second quarter to lead 58-48 at the half, where they led by as many as 12 points. But the Suns outscored the Pelicans 67-51 in the second half using an 11-5 to close the third period to lead 85-82 after three quarters. Ingram’s reverse layup closed the game to 104-103 with two minutes left in their season. The Suns answered closing the game on a 12-5 run to finish the game and the series.

Pelicans outscored the Suns 60-40 in the paint; 16-4 in second chance points; 38-20 in bench points; and 20-7 in fastbreak points. Shot 50.6 percent from the field (42/83 FGs) and had 25 assists on their 42 made shots.

The Pelicans were done in by their 8/24 mark from three. Got to the foul line just 19 times, going 17/19. Had 17 turnovers that led to 25 Suns points. They only outrebounded the Suns 36-32, including 12-5 on the offensive glass.

Pelicans dropped to 0-6 all-time in the postseason when losing Game 1 of a best-of-seven series. They are also now 0-4 in their postseason history when down in a series 3-2.

The No. 8 Seed all-time is now 0-9 in best-of-seven series against the No. 1 Seed when the series is tied 2-2. They were looking to join the 2012 76ers, 2011 Grizzlies, and 2007 Warriors as three No. 8 Seeds to take down a No. 1 Seed. Those three squads led their First Round series 3-1.  

Entering this offseason, the most important piece of business was to get Williamson healthy and locked into his rookie extension.

In addressing the press on Apr. 29 for the first time since September 2021, the 2021 All-Star said that he could have returned to the lineup last season. But his management team  and the Pelicans front office “decided that longevity” was the better route.

When asked by Fletcher Machel of WDSU TV if offered a rookie max extension in the offseason would he sign it? Williamson’s answer was, “Of course. I couldn’t sign it fast enough.”

Before that piece of business was handled, the Pelicans in June’s draft selected at No. 8 from the NBA’s G League Ignite guard/forward Dyson Daniels, the fifth Australian to be drafted in the First Round the last 10 seasons.

“I’m just so happy. I heard my name called. To be a Pelican, man, there’s no better place,” Daniels said on Draft night, June 23 to ESPN Monica McNutt. “So, I can’t wait to get to work.”  

Daniels (17.0 ppg, 5.1 apg, 7.4 rpg w/Iginte), who led the Ignite in assists and steals could be the latest in the Pelicans line of contributing young players with his ability to play make. He is a solid defender already and bring good size at 6-foot-7 and strength at 200 pounds. He can guard multiple positions. Is a great ball handler with good court vision and is a solid passer. For him it is about improving his outside shot to go along with his ability to shoot floaters.

With the Ignite last season, Daniels from Australia had 17 rebounds in a game.

Officially on July 6, the Pelicans signed Williamson to a five-year, $193 million rookie max extension, that could be worth as much as $231 million.

Williamson said in signing the deal official on July 6,“I’m locked in baby!”  

According to ESPN’s front office insider Bobby Marks, the deal that Williamson signed is similar to the one 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid inked in 2017. It is a fully guaranteed deal but has an injury clause along with criteria for games played. Like Embiid’s deal, the Pelicans would need to waive Williamson for him not to get the full amount on the deal.

The Pelicans also signed CJ McCollum to a two-year, $64 million extension that will keep the National Basketball Players Association’s President in “The Big Easy”  through the 2024-25 season. He will have four more years and $133 million on his deal.

McCollum at Media Day said him being traded to Pelicans that he did not get “here by mistake.” After talking with the organization before the trade and when his wife signed off on the trade, things feel into place. Just as important is the roster and how stacked it is.

“I think we have a lot of talent. A lot of young talent. A lot of draft picks, thanks to some guys that are no longer. So, I felt like it was a good combination of a lot of things,” McCollum said on why extended. “It made sense and I’m excited. I’m excited about the presence and the future.”   

In an interview on Media Day with host of ESPN’s “NBA Today” on Media Day Sept. 26 Malika Andrews, Williamson said that it was “sickening” being sidelined the entire 2021-22 season. But he was also “so excited” for the success he teammates had in making and playing in the 2022 Playoffs.

“Just seeing them in that environment. It was a joy to watch. I thank them all for it,” Williamson added.

Williamson while rehabbing in Oregon, where his shoe sponsor Nike is based, the Pelicans during that time offered very few updates. They did not reveal his foot fracture until the first day of training camp a season ago saying they hope Williamson would be ready for the 2021-22 season-opener on Oct. 20, 2021. That never came to fruition.

When asked by Andrews what he did differently in terms of how he trained to get ready for the season, Williamson answered he woke up at 4:30 or 5 in the morning to get to the gym and workout.

“Right now, I’m just excited to just even be on the court because it’s been 500 something almost 600 days since I’ve been able to play in a game. I mean, that’s a long time being away from the game I’ve love, especially on that stage,” Williamson, whose averaged 25.7 points, and seven rebounds on 60.4 percent shooting so far in his career said to Andrews about being out an entire NBA season.

“But I’m just excited to be out there. Play with those guys. Just be a part of something special.”

One season earlier, Williamson averaged 27.0 points and 7.2 boards on 61.1 percent from the field in 61 games played in earning his first All-Star selection in 2020-21.

He played just 24 games in his rookie season of 2019-20 because of lateral meniscus tear in his knee in the preseason of 2019. He averaged 22.5 points and 6.3 rebounds on 58.3 percent from the floor that season.

In his first three seasons, Williamson has played in a total of 85 out of a possible 226 games. The Pelicans have gone 40-45 with Williamson in the lineup and just 57-84 without him.

The fact that he is re-signed is a sigh of relief because the Pelicans, formerly the Hornets have seen prior star players they hoped to build around-Baron Davis, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis bolt when they had the chance.

Coach Green said when asked by NBATV’s Stephanie Ready on what kind of player Williamson is, his answer, “a once in a lifetime generational talent.”

“And he [Williamson] knows that. We all know that. I’m so excited to see him on the floor this year.”

He definitely impressed in his first practice at night on Sept. 27.

“Dude looks good,” Nance, Jr., who signed a two-year, $21.6 million extension on Oct. 3 said of Williamson’s performance. “He didn’t miss a shot. He looks like the same wrecking ball we all know and love.”

Murphy III concurred saying, “Strong. Very Strong. And also, ready to play.”

“He looked amazing,” Coach Green said. “His strength. His speed. He dominated the scrimmage pretty.”

Williamson at Media Day said that he feels like he is “at his best right now.” That he is “moving faster.” “Jumping higher.” That he simply “feels great.”

If Williamson can be back to the form he was before the injury, the Pelicans could have a solid three in their front court with him, Ingram, and Valanciunas.

“The mentality is always to win. The expectation is to win, especially for our team,” Ingram said at Media Day. “We’ve just had some added fans. We always kind of believed in each other and what we were doing. So, the expectation is still the same. I don’t know what the outside expectation. But for us its ultimately about bringing a championship to New Orleans.”

When EVP David Griffin came to “The Big Easy” in the middle of April 2019, he was tasked in building the Pelicans back into a relevant squad.

When they picked Zion Williamson No. 1 overall out of Duke University in June 2019, they took a major step in that direction. That direction to becoming an elite team was setback when Williamson was out due to injury a season ago.

With the moves made by Griffin, GM Trajon Langdon, and VP of Basketball Operations in Hall of Famer Swin Cash to fortified the team with a plethora of First-Round picks (from trades of Anthony Davis to Lakers and Jrue Holiday to the Bucks); swung deals to acquire McCollum and Nance, Jr. and found some serious uncut diamonds in the draft in Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III, and hopefully Dyson Daniels, and in free agency in Joes Alvardo, they gave Williamson every reason to stay and he did by inking his deal with summer.

It is about now Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Brandon Ingram, who are under contract for the next three seasons staying healthy and the Pelicans led by Head Coach Willie Green putting it all together and seeing how far they can go in a rugged Western Conference.  

“We’re excited. Obviously, there’s a lot of work to be done. There’s a lot of things we’ve got to work on together chemistry wise and get on the court,” McCollum, who averaged 24.3 points and 5.8 assists on 49.3 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three-point range in 26 games with Pelicans in 2020-21 said. “There’s going to be some great nights and not so great nights. But I think all and all, I think our future’s bright and we have a chance to do a lot of special things once we come together.”

Williamson when asked by Andrews what a successful season is for him in 2022-23? Williamson answered that he would be lying if it is anything “less than a championship.”

“Now it’s going to be a journey. It’s not going to be easy in no way and we have to take it game-by-game. When we hit rough patches, it’s those periods I think that are really going to make us into a championship team.”

Coach Green concurred by saying that his team top down “understand” what they accomplished a season ago. But this season is about “building on it.”

“Nothing is going to be given to us. There’s a bit of some expectations out there and that’s good. That’s means we’ve got a chance to be a good team. And our work should exemplify what we want to be. And that’s what we look forward to,” Green said about the Pelicans focus entering this season.   

Best Case Scenario: The Pelicans make the Playoffs in the middle part of the rugged Western Conference. Williamson and Ingram are injury free and make the All-Star team and are on the fringe of making any three of the All-NBA teams. Their defense and offense are in Top 10. They shoot better from the perimeter, especially from three-point range. They play a tough First-Round series.

Worst Case Scenario: The Pelicans have to make the Playoff through the Play-In Tournament. Williamson and Ingram miss time because of injury. The defense is still in need of repair.

Grade: B+

Oklahoma City Thunder: 24-58 (5^th Northwest Division; missed the playoffs); 12-29 at home, 12-29 on the road.  

-103.7 ppg-30^th; opp. ppg: 111.8-18^th; 45.6 rpg-6^th      

Sometimes in sports, especially pro sports, one play, one shot, one moment can change the trajectory for a team or a person. For the Oklahoma City Thunder, it was Apr. 23, 2019, a little after 1 a.m. East Coast time where a long game-winning triple in the First-Round ended their season and made it clear there would be no championship coming to OKC anytime soon. The inevitable was delayed one more year as they made the Playoffs in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL and were very competitive but eventually fell in seven games. The last two seasons since have gone as you might expect during a rebuild. They have been very painful, with some bright spots. The hope was for a glimpse of brighter days ahead, but a key part of that will be on the mend the entire season because of injury while the current top player will be out to start the season because of injury as well. So, with another season of possibly 50-plus losses, the goal for the Thunder is to find more hidden gems that will be part of the team when the skies are brighter.

Two seasons back in Game 5 of First Round Apr. 23, 2019,  perennial All-Star guard Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers sank a long three-pointer that won not just  Game 5 but the series 4-1 sending the then Russell Westbrook and Paul George led Thunder home as the team lost in the opening-round for a fourth consecutive season.

It also marked the end for Westbrook, who after playing for the Thunder his first 11 NBA seasons was traded to the Rockets in the summer of 2019 reuniting with former Thunder teammate James Harden in exchange for now 11-time All-Star guard for the Suns Chris Paul. George was traded to the Clippers for now Thunder lead guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, now injured Celtics forward Danilo Gallinari, five First-Round picks , and the rights to swap two other First Round picks.

Paul helped guide the Thunder to a 44-28 mark and a spot in the 2020 Playoffs in the restart in Orlando, FL because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic that put the season on pause on Mar. 11, 2020. The Thunder gave it their all but feel to the Rockets in seven games.

Following the season, then head coach Billy Donovan’s contract was not renewed and both the organization led by GM Sam Presti and coach agreed to mutually part ways and on Nov. 11, 2020 promoted assistant coach Mark Daigneault to be counting their days as the Seattle Supersonics the 18^th head coach in franchise history.

The Thunder’s rebuild in 2020-21 began okay as they were 20-27 on Mar. 31, 2021. But went just 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.

Last season, the Thunder began 6-8 following a 101-89 win versus the Rockets on Nov. 17, 2021. That would be as close they would be to .500 as they lost eight in a row after that.

Losing Streaks By Thunder Following Their 6-8 Start To 2021-22
8 Games (Nov.19, 2021-Dec. 6, 2021): 3 Losses By Double-Digits
3 Games (Dec. 10-18, 2021): 2 Losses By Double-Digits
5 Games (Jan. 2-13, 2022): 1 Loss By Double-Digits
7 Games (Jan. 15-31, 2022): 2 Losses By Double-Digits
5 Games (Feb. 5-14, 2022): 4 Losses By Double-Digits
2 Games (Feb. 16-25, 2022): 1 Loss By Double-Digits
10 Games (Mar. 4-23, 2022): 6 Losses By Double-Digits
2 Games (Mar. 30-Apr. 3, 2022): 1 Loss By Double-Digits
3 Games (Apr. 6-10, 2022): All 3 Losses By Double-Digits

The Thunder’s 10-game losing streak from Mar. 4-23 tied the Pacers and Magic for the fifth longest losing streak of 2021-22.

The toughest of those six losses by double-digits during that skid was the 73-point loss (152-79) Dec. 2, 2021 at the Grizzlies, where they trailed at one point in the game by 78 points. The Thunder trailed 72-36 at the half, registering a season-low 36 points. The 73-point loss topped the 68-point trashing the Heat suffered at the Cavaliers (148-80) Dec. 17, 1991.

The Thunder’s season ended with a 50-point trashing (138-88) Apr. 10 at the Clippers, where they trailed 39-18 after the first quarter and were outscored 43-21 in the fourth quarter.

A lot of the Thunder’s blowout defeats came down to the fact that they had a lot of youth on the hardwood a season ago, which will be the same this upcoming season.

The Thunder’s roster in 2021-22 averaged an age of 22.9, the youngest roster in “The Association.”

With that you, it is not a surprise the Thunder offensively ranked dead last in the league in both field goal percentage at 43 percent (30^th NBA) and three-point percentage at 32.3 percent (30^th NBA). While they were No. 7 in three attempted at 37.4, they were in the middle of the pack in threes made at 12.1 (17^th NBA).

Where the Thunder really struggled is defensively. Even though they were in the middle of the pack in terms of opponent’s field goal percentage at 45.8 percent (13^th NBA) and opponent’s three-point percentage (15^th NBA), they were No. 29 in opponent’s threes attempted (38.7) and 27^th in opponent’s threes made (13.6). The Thunder also had a rebound differential of -2.8 (25^th NBA).  

The Thunder a season ago were 2-16 when they allowed 120 points or more, including 0-12 when they allowed 130 points or more, and 0-3 when the allowed 140 points or more.

During last season, the Thunder suffered some painful losses. A lot of those were by double-digits, 41 to be exact. Of those 41 defeats by 10 points or more, 15 of them were by 20-plus points. That included seven defeats by 30-plus points. 

Along with not being good defensively and their struggles offensively is because the team’s headliners did not play a whole lot because of injury.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24.5 ppg, 5.9 apg, 5.0 rpg, 45.3 FG%) had a career season but missed 26 games due to sprained right ankle, including the final 12 games of 2021-22.

As a rookie with the Clippers, the No. 11 overall pick out of the University of Kentucky in 2018 by the Hornets registered six 20-plus point games in 2018-19. Over the last three seasons with the Thunder, the guy affectionately called SGA has authored 35, 25, and 38 20-plus points games in his first three seasons in OKC. Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander authored 20 30-plus point games after registering 10 such a games in 2020-21 and three such games in 2019-20. Before he was shut down for the final 12 games with right ankle soreness, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30-plus points in 10 out of previous 13 games. He also a season ago produced six double-doubles (3 double-doubles in 2020-21; nine double-doubles in 2019-20; one double-double in 2018-19 w/Clippers). That included his second career triple-double of 27 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds on 10/24 from the field in the 108-94 win by the Thunder at the Nuggets Dec. 22, 2021. Gilgeous-Alexander also total a career-high 331 assists in 2021-22.

When it came to registering double-doubles and triple-doubles, no member of the 2021-22 rookie class did it better than No. 6 overall pick from Australia Josh Giddey (12.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 6.4 apg, in 54 games). Only Evan Mobley of the Cavaliers produced more double-doubles amongst rookies than the 16 by Giddey.

In the Thunder’s 117-112 victory versus the Pelicans, Giddey had the very rare unconventional double-double of 10 rebounds and 10 assists (0 points 0/8 FGs), joined three-time All-Star Norm Van Lier, who played for the Cincinnati Royals, Bulls, and Bucks as the only two players in NBA history to record a double-double while going scoreless.

Last season, Pistons’ neophyte Cade Cunningham (2) and Lakers Austin Reaves (one) equaled half the number of triple-doubles that Giddey registered. On top of that, Westbrook (2008-09), Hall of Famer Gary Payton (1990-91) and Art Harris (1968-69) with one each in their respective rookie seasons also totaled half of what Giddey did in one season   

From Feb. 12-16, Giddey recorded three straight triple-doubles becoming the first rookie since Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson did it in the 1960-61 season.

                     Giddey’s Three Straight Triple-Doubles From Feb. 12-16                        
Feb. 12 at Bulls (106-101 Loss): 11 Points, 12 Rebounds, 10 Assists
Feb. 14 at Knicks (127-123 OT Win): 28 Points (career-high), 11 Rebounds, 12 Assists
Feb. 16 vs. Spurs (114-106 Win): 17 points, 10 Rebounds, 10 Assists

At 19 years old, Giddey became the first teenager NBA history with a triple-double against the Knicks and joined Hall of Famers in the late Wilt Chamberlin (w/76ers), Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Chuck Person as the only four players in NBA history to record a triple-double in their first game at Madison Square Garden.

Youngest Players With Three Straight Triple-Doubles In NBA History
Josh Giddey (OKC) Age: 19
Nikola Jokic (DEN) Age: 23
LeBron James (LAL): Age: 24 w/Cavaliers

Josh Giddey’s Production By Month of 2021-22
  Month           PPG      RPG     APG     FG%
Oct. 2021        10.7        5.8        5.7       45.0%
Nov. 2021       10.2        7.7        5.9        36.9%
Dec. 2021        11.8        7.1        6.7       38.3%
Jan. 2022        13.3        8.6        6.1       44.3%
Feb. 2022        16.3        8.7        7.7       46.6%

Giddey too had his season cut short missing 28 games, including the final 23 of 2021-22 with right hip issue. He missed three games (Dec. 28, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022) being in health and safety protocols.    

Giddey in talking with WWLS 98.1 “The Sports Animal’s” Gideon Hamilton and Bobby Thompson on Sept. 30 that he “wanted” play in Summer League to work on the weaknesses in his game.

“I wanted to be out there with my teammates. Getting that chemistry better. Working on things that I needed to and I think it was really important for me to be available. Taking away things I needed to get better at. I got better at,” Giddey said. “It was good for me to play in Summer League…It was a good opportunity for me to get to know the new guys. Get familiar with them and hit the ground running heading into training camp and then the season.”    

When he joined the Thunder as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State three seasons back, Luguentz Dort (17.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg), he came with a reputation of being able to defend wing players. As his career has progressed with the Thunder, his offense has improved to where when he open to shoot, he will take the shot and has improved his accuracy as a jump shooter to where he has totaled 113 (113/329) and 130 (130/191) made threes respectably the last two seasons after making just 30 treys (30/101 3-Pt.) as a rookie in 2019-20.

Dort 1^st 3             2019-20:  6.8 Points, 39.5 FG%, 29.7 3-Pt.%
NBA Seasons      2020-21: 14.0 Points, 38.7 3-Pt.% 34.3 3-Pt.%
                             2021-22: 17.2 Points, 40.4 FG% 33.2 3-Pt.%

Last season, Dort had 16 20-plus point games, including three 30-point games. He had totaled 10 games scoring 20 or more in his first two NBA seasons, including just one game with 30-plus points.

Dort scored a career-high of 34 points with eight boards on 14/22 shooting with four made threes (4/11 3-Pt.) in the Thunder’s 101-89 triumph Nov. 17, 2021 at the Rockets. In the Thunder’s 120-114 victory at the Mavericks, Dort scored 30 points with six rebounds (/17 FGs) making 6/10 from three-point range.

Left shoulder surgery shelved Dort the final 26 games of 2021-22, missing 31 games in total because of injury or illness.

There are players in this league when they are young that bring their best to the floor at times and other times you see them but the game is not seen. That explains forward Darius Bazley (10.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg). He is a very skilled player who can score, rebound, and defend. He just does not do it consistently which can be  frustrating at times for coach Daigneault and his staff because No. 23 overall pick in 2019 has shown it. It just needs to be a nightly thing where he scores and rebounds.

To put this into context, Bazley had 11 double-doubles in 2020-21 after registering just one his rookie season of 2019-20. In 2019-20, he averaged 13.7 points and 7.2 rebounds. His scoring and rebound were down by 2.9 points and .9 boards respectably.

Last season, Bazley had seven games scoring 20-plus points after registering 10 such games the season before. It really did not help him missing the last seven games of 2021-22 with a non-displaced tibial fracture in his right knee. Bazley missed 13 games in total in 2021-22.

The same can be said for No. 17 overall pick in the 2020 Draft in forward Aleksej Pokusevski (7.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg) who at times flashed his brilliance as a forward with guard like skills of being able to initiate the offense, score, rebound and facilitate.

In the Thunder’s 117-96 win versus the West’s top seeded Suns Apr. 3, Pokusevski had his first career triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists on 7/14 from the field, including 3/5 from three.

“Just being more efficient on offense,” Pokusevski said at Media Day on Sept. 29 to WWLS 98.1 FM’s “The Sports Animal’s” Craig Humphrey, Mark Rogers, and Sam Mays at Media Day on Sept. 29 on what he focused on this offseason. “If I find a better way of scoring and making my teammates better players without spending a lot time with the ball. And I want to be a great defender and being able to defend multiple positions.”

“Playing off the catch is something I’m trying to get better and being more comfortable making decision off the catch.”  

It just the shooting from field and from three-point range, 40.8 and 28.9 percent respectably has just been too inconsistent

The injuries suffered by the Thunder headliners did open up minutes for some of their rookies and youngsters looking to prove they can be the makeup of the Thunder’s future.

Tre Mann, No. 18 overall pick out of the University of Florida (10.4 ppg, 36.0 3-Pt.%) showed that he can light it up when he has space on the perimeter, especially from three-point range, where he made 98 threes total (98/272 3-Pt.) as a rookie in 2021-22. He registered seven 20-point games, including two 30-point games.

In the Thunder’s aforementioned 127-123 win in overtime at the Knicks Feb. 14, Man had a season-high 30 points (9/16FGs) going 4/7 from three and 8/8 at the foul line.

“We’re a very young. But I’m very excited,” Mann said to WWLS 98.1 FM’s “The Sports Animal’s” Craig Humphreys, Mark Rogers, and Sam Mays at Media Day. “We’ve got a lot of talent. Everybody brings something to the table…We’re building chemistry here slowly…I’m excited for the team. I’m looking forward to the season.”

Mann added that in the offseason he worked on “efficient shooting.” That every that he shot he had to hit a specific number to make sure that he is practicing specifically. He also said that he worked on with his trainer doing ball screen reads and things of that nature.  

Another rookie who flashed his prowess from the perimeter and showed he can score in bunches is Aaron Wiggins (8.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 46.3 FG%, in 50 games), the No. 55 overall pick out of University of Maryland. He registered five 20-plus point games, including a career-high 28 points with five rebounds, and six assist on 11/19 from the field in the Thunder’s 134-131 overtime victory Mar. 28 at the Trail Blazers. Wiggins previous career-high was 25 points with nine rebounds, and five assists going 5/8 from three in the Thunder’s 132-102 loss Mar. 9 versus the Timberwolves.

With the absent of a certain rookie, more on him in a moment, opens the door for center Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (7.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 35.2 3-Pt.% in 49 games) to get more minutes to improve on what he did as rookie in 2021-22.

A fractured third metatarsal in his right foot shelved the No. 32 overall pick out of Villanova University for 27 straight games (Dec. 28, 2021-Jan. 5, 2022). When he was in the lineup, he showed that he could be another player who can make threes and bang inside as demonstrated by his 58 total made threes (58/165 3-Pt.).

In the Thunder’s 113-101 win at the Hawks on Nov. 22, 2021, JRE had 13 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 2/5 from three. Two nights later in a 110-104 loss versus the Jazz, Robinson-Earl had his second of three double-doubles in 2021-22 with 13 points and 10 rebounds, making 3/4 from three-point range.

Most Total Made Three-Pointers By Rookies In A Single-Season NBA History
Hawks      2018-19: 368
Thunder   2021-22: 360
Lakers      2017-18: 346
Bulls         2004-05: 284

The Thunder rookies made a combined 100 total more threes than any other team, with the next closet being the Rockets rookies clast totaling 260 made threes.

As important as the development of the members of the current roster, Presti continued to add draft assets to their war chest by acquiring on Jan. 4 from the Jazz forward/guard Miye Oni, who was waived Jan. 7 and a 2028 Second Round pick in exchange for cash considerations.

In a deal on Feb. 9 with the Heat, the Thunder acquired forward KZ Okpala. The 2023 First Round pick already owed to the Thunder from the Heat has been amended to a 2025 First Round pick (1-14 protected). If not conveyed to a 2026 unprotected First Round pick.  

In June’s Draft, the Thunder thought they drafted that transformative player in versatile forward Chet Holmgren (14.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 bpg, w/Bulldogs) No. 2 overall out of Gonzaga University.

A 7-footer that has all the tools. A silky-smooth jumper. Guard skills from tremendous handles to being able to shoot off the dribble, can space the floor, and can get downhill off the bounce post up, and faceup. He also possesses valuable intangibles of a big man from rebound in traffic and protect the basket with his long reach and length (7’6’’ wingspan) and he has a mean streak about him. In his bag of offensive moves are the ability to fadeaway, one-legged, jumpers, similar to future Hall of Famers from the Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki.

How special was the 20-year-old 2021022 AP Second Team All-American a season ago in his lone season at Gonzaga, he became just the third collegian the last 25 seasons to register 40-plus made threes (41) and 100-plus block shots (117).

He put all of that on display in the Salt Lake City Summer and Las Vegas Summer Leagues where he made scoring from the perimeter and down low seem like nothing as well being able to blocks shots with ease at the rim. In the Salt Lake Summer League, Holmgren was impressive with averages of 17 points, 9.5 rebounds, and four block shots on 50 percent from the floor and 4.17 percent on his triple tries.

“Looking forward to joining the Thunder. Getting to Oklahoma City. Great organization. Great players. Great vision. A great future,” Holmgren said on Draft night of June 23 to NBATV’s Taylor Rooks. “It’s time to go compete and have fun.”

That excitement and aspirations of the Thunder possibly competing for a spot in the 2023 Play-In Tournament in the spring of 2023 went out the window when Holmgren suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot in a pro-am game in late August at The CrawsOver in Seattle, WA on Aug. 20, not too far from where he stared at the Gonzaga University a season ago.

Holmgren, who will miss the entire 2022-23 season appeared to have gotten injured while trying to defend the Lakers LeBron James in the open court.

“I’ve never had a serious injury in my life,” Holmgren said at Media Day about his foot injury. “Didn’t imagine anything like this. I’ve dedicated so much time to really hustling at my craft on the court. Now, this event is making me step back and rework how I do things and try to get better through different avenues.”  

He had surgery on his injured foot at Forte Sports Medicine an Orthopedics in Carmel, IN by Dr. David Porter with a Thunder medical professional present the Thunder announced on Aug. 30.

“Certainly, we are disappointed for Chet, especially given the excitement he had about getting on the floor with his teammates this season,” Presti said  in a statement on Aug. 30

“We know Chet has a long career ahead of him within our organization and the Oklahoma City community. One of the things that most impressed us during the process of selecting Chet was his determination and focus. We expect that same tenacity will carry him through this period of time as we work together and support him during his rehabilitation.”

If Holmgren wants to draw inspiration on if he will get back and have a long career all he has to do is look at 76ers Joel Embiid (No. 3 overall pick in 2014) out of Kansas, who missed his first two NBA seasons because of foot injuries. Now current Piston Nerlens Noel (No. 6 overall pick 2013 by 76ers) missed his first season due to a knee issue. The Nuggets Michael Porter, Jr. (No. 14 overall pick in 2018) missed the ensuing season because of a back injury.

The only issue that many outsiders and draft evaluators (not the Thunder) is Holmgren’s slight build. That gave a lot of evaluators pause because in the NBA, the players are bigger, stronger, and faster.

If there is any silver lining in Holmgren have to be on the shelf is that he can really put the focus on not only rehabbing his left foot but he can get with the Thunder coaching staff and put in the work necessary on his body across the board so he can be better than ever when he returns to the hardwood.

  

The Thunder along with drafting Holmgren, the Thunder drafted at No. 12 junior forward/guard Jalen Williams (18.4 ppg w/Broncos) out of the University of Santa Clara and with the No. 34 overall pick they selected sophomore forward Jaylin Williams (10.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg, w/Razobacks) out of Arkansas University.

In a draft night trade with the Knicks, the Thunder acquired the draft rights to forward/guard Ousmane Dieng (No. 11 overall pick) from France for three unprotected First Round picks.

In another draft night deal, the Thunder acquired forward JaMychal Green from the Nuggets as well as a (protected) 2027 First Round pick in exchange for the draft rights to Peyton Watson (No. 30 overall pick) out of UCLA.

Williams is the first prospect out of Santa Clara to be drafted since Hall of Famer and Nets head coach Steve Nash was drafted No. 15 overall by the Suns in 1995-96. He is a long with a 7’2’’ wingspan who can really shoot the ball.

The All-WCC First Team selection was one of 11 Division I guards to average 15-plus points on 50 percent shooting last season. Williams registered 12 games with 20-plus points in 2021-22, that was tied for No. 2 in the WCC.

Williams said Thunder nation should expect to see on the hardwood will be this team’s “Swiss army knife.” Being able to provide whatever is need at that time.

“I think I bring a lot of versatility to the team. Being able to kind of be position-less and kind of doing whatever it takes to win,” Williams said to Hamilton and Thompson on Sept. 30.

Williams out of Arkansas, who earned All-SEC First Team honors for 2021-22 is solidly built at 6-foot-10 237 pounds. While is does not have the bounce or a long wingspan, he has great scoring touch around the basket. Can finish around the rim with the ability to step outside and shoot. He is an excellent passer and excellent defensive instincts.

In speaking with Humphreys and Mays at Media Day said his experience at Summer League and being around Thunder squad has been “great.” That sharing the court with his Thunder teammates has been “amazing.” Seeing the level of competitiveness, guys getting after each other to get better, especially on defense has been “amazing.”

Dieng (8.9 ppg w/BZ Breakers Australian NBL) is a very long wing (7’1’’ wingspan) who can play make for others, is a solid three-point shooter, and a solid defender.

In the first 11 games for the 19-year-old played for the breakers a season ago, he averaged just four points per contest with no games scoring in double-figures in 18 minutes. The last 12 games of last season in 23.4 minutes, Dieng averaged 13.3 points, scoring in double figures nine times.

 

The Thunder this offseason locked two players that they feel can be difference makers on the court, signing officially on July 6 Dort toa five-year, $87.5 million, who $1.9 million team option was declined for this upcoming season, which made him an unrestricted free agent.

On July 20, the Thunder signed forward Kenrich Williams (7.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 46.1 FG% in 49 games) to a four-year, $27.2 million, who was on a $2 million non-guaranteed deal entering this upcoming season that is now fully guaranteed. He missed the final 25 games of last season with a sprained left knee. Also on this day, the Thunder negotiated a contract buyout with Green, who was waived and signed with the Warriors, giving up $2.6 million in the buyout of his deal.

Along with the additions to the roster as well as the re-signings, the Thunder added a valuable new member to their coaching staff on July 27 in longtime assistant coach with the Spurs Chip Engelland, who is considered one of the NBA’s premiere shooting coach. Engelland and Presti worked together with the Spurs in the early 2000s. Engelland along his 17 seasons (2005-22) under Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, where he was a part of two title teams (2007 and 2014) was an assistant with Pistons (1999-2000) and the Nuggets (2003-05).

The Thunder also re-signed center Mike Muscala (8.0 ppg, 45.6 FG%, 42.9 3-Pt.% in 43 games), who missed the final 39 games of 2021-22 after right ankle surgery.

On Sept. 27 the Thunder in a deal with the Hawks acquired veteran forward Maurice Harkless and draft considerations sending guard Vit Krejci to the Hawks. The Thunder also acquired a 2029 Second Round pick as well as amendments on the conditions of a previously dealt 2025 Second Round pick which will be now Top 40 protected.

Three days later in a deal with the Rockets, Thunder acquired forward David Nwaba; forward/guard Sterling Brown, who was waived on Oct. 2; guard Trey Burke; forward/center Marquese Chriss. Rockets acquired forward/center Derrick Favors, guard Ty Jerome, veteran forward Maurice Harkless, guard Theo Maledon, a 2026 Second Round pick and cash considerations. The trade also generated two trade exceptions and dropped approximately $10 million under the luxury tax.  

Since the loss of franchise pillars of Kevin Durant, and James Harden, the Thunder have been in search of a true identity that they take the court with every night that would put them in position for major success.

The last part of that identity went out the window in the summer of 2019 after falling in the opening-round for a fourth straight season. They lost again in the opening-round in seven games to the Rockets, barely.

It only delayed the inevitable rebuild that has been in full effect the last two seasons. The front office led by Sam Presti has done tremendous work in accumulating assets from an array to talent players and draft picks to get them back to being a Playoff perennial.

The Thunder from next summer’s NBA Draft to 20209 have 15 First Round pick (Six of their own and 9 acquired from other teams) and 11 Second Round picks (Four of their own and Seven acquired from deals with other NBA squads).

The fact of the matter is, the Thunder have a long way to go before they can be back in that conversation.

The Thunder do have players in the fold now in the now face of the franchise in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who's five-year, $172 million rookie extension begins this season.

“We know we’ve got to fight,” SGA said one-time last season the attitude he and his Thunder teammates have to hit the court with night-in and night-out to get back to respectability. “No matter what score is. No matter what day of the week it is, we got to fight.”  

The Thunder also have Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Darius Bazley, and a few others that have to show they are the pillars of the Thunder Playoff runs in the future. They have to find more diamonds in the rough to surround the cast they now.

                         Notable Players On Thunder Under Age 25                                
Josh Giddey:             Age 19      Jaylin Wililams:                   Age: 21
Ousmane Dieng:       Age 19      Darius Bazley:                      Age: 22
Chet Holmgran:       Age 20      Luguentz Dort:                     Age: 23
Aleksej Pokusevski: Age 20      Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:   Age: 24

Rebuilds are not easy. But the Thunder at least have a plan to get better and a leader in their front office in GM Sam Presti who has overseen his team in its first 14 years in Oklahoma City they had an 11-year run having 2^nd best record in the NBA; the fourth best record in all of pro sports in the U.S. and they made the Playoffs in 10 of those 14 years.

It comes to now executing this grand plan into becoming a postseason perennial and hopefully a championship contender like they were with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.

“I don’t think anybody would say that were not a work in progress,” Presti said of the Thunder at the moment on Sept. 22. “At the same, I think we’re a better than we were at the start of the time last year and we’re going to be a better team as the end of the season. Absolutely, because of the fact that we have some very young players that are going to continually improve.”

“Our age and relative inexperience is absolutely going to be a positive for the team over a long period of time. That’s the beauty of watching any team, any young team in pro sports is your actually watching it kind of evolve in front of you.”          

Best Case Scenario: Thunder play a plethora of close games and clutch games. Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey, Bazley, and Pokusevski build more chemistry on the court together. Find more diamonds in the rough that can be a part of their future.

Worst Case Scenario: A season of several long losing streaks. Over 20 losses between 20 and 30 points.  

Grade: A

Phoenix Suns: 64-18 (1^st Pacific Division; No. 1 in West; 32-9 at home, 32-9 on the road) Defeated the No.  Seeded New Orleans Pelicans 4-2 in West Quarterfinals; Lost the No. 4 Seeded Dallas Mavericks 4-3 in West Semifinals.

-114.8 ppg-5^th; opp. ppg: 107.3-8^th; 45.3 rpg-10^th   

Four years ago, they were one of the laughing stocks of the NBA. The last two seasons, they have been the ones laughing, especially last season when they registered not only the best record in the NBA, but a single-season franchise record. In the 2022 Playoffs, the giggles stopped completely as the struggled to get past the boys from “The Big Easy” and were shellshocked in the Semis as the NBA’s biggest star and his squad from “Big D” took them down in seven games. Then the drama from the offseason came to the contract of their starting center to the real-life missteps of their now soon to be former Governor that was no laughing matter. With nearly all of their team returning with some add-ons to their bench, the goal for the Suns is to dust themselves off and build up for another hopefully run to The Finals in a stacked Western Conference.

After starting last season 1-3, the then reigning Western Conference champion Suns went on a franchise-record setting 18-game winning streak to volt to a 19-3 mark, their best start after 22 games in franchise history. Those 18 straight wins (Oct. 30, 2021-Dec. 3, 2021) surpassed their 17-game and 15-game winning streaks they posted in 2006-07.  

That included a 16-0 mark in November 2021, where they were a dominant and exceptional at the offensive end as well as defensively. They led the NBA in November 2021 in points (114.1), field goal percentage (48.8%), assists (26.4) and steals (9.4).

Seven Teams In NBA History To Go 16-0 Or Better In A Calendar Month NBA History
  Team            Season          Record                   Month & Year       
  Hawks         2014-15           17-0                       January 2015
   Suns           2021-22           16-0                     November 2022
Warriors      2015-16           16-0                     November 2015
  Spurs          2013-14           16-0                        March 2014
Clippers       2012-13           16-0                      December 2012     
  Spurs         1995-96            16-0                        March 1996
 Lakers        1971-72            16-0                    December 1971

To put into context how great head coach Monty Williams squad was in 2021-22, their longest losing streak was only two games, which happened on four separate occasions: Oct. 23-30, 2021; Dec. 25-29, 2021; Feb. 25-Mar 2, 2022; Apr. 1-5, 2022. 

Suns Other Winning Streaks In 2021-22                           
Two-Gamer: Dec. 6-13, 2021; Mar 2-6, 2022; Mar. 8-11             
Five-Gamer: Dec. 14-25, 2021                    
Three-Gamer: Jan. 2-8, 2022
11-Gamer: Jan. 11-Feb. 3, 2022
9-Gamer: Mar.13-Apr. 1

With their dominant 120-90 victory Mar. 2 versus the Trail Blazers on ESPN, the Suns were the first team to reach 50 wins in 2021-22.

They were just as dominant in 2022 as they were in 2021 going 37-10 after the calendar turned to January 1, 2022, outpacing the No. 2 Seeded Grizzlies, No. 4 Seeded Mavericks, and No. 4 Seeded 76ers in the Eastern Conference.

The Suns were not just dominant at home, they were dominant on the road. Their 32-9 mark away from Footprint Center in 2021-22 was tied with the 1996-97 Heat for the fifth best road record in NBA history.

That stellar mark on the road came as a result of three eight-game road winning streaks (Nov. 8, 2021-Dec. 3, 2021; Jan. 2-Feb. 3, 2022; Mar. 8-Apr. 1, 2022). They also registered a four-game road winning streak from Feb. 5-Mar. 6, 2022.

Best Road Records In A Season In NBA History
    Team              Road Record         Season             
  Warriors                34-7                 2015-16
   Lakers                   31-7                 1971-72
    Bulls                     33-8                 1995-96
  Celtics                    32-8                  1972-73
    Suns                     32-9                  2021-22
    Heat                     32-9                  1996-97
  Celtics                    32-9                  1974-75
   76ers                     26-8                  1966-67

The stellar overall record, home record and road record the Suns had in 2021-22 was the result of good starts, where they Suns compiled a 43-0 mark when leading after the first quarter; a 49-6 mark when leading at the half; and a 47-0 mark when leading after three quarters.

But where the Suns were really magnificent a season ago was in clutch time where they went a sparkling 33-9 in 2021-22 when the game was within five points the final five minutes of the final period of the fourth quarter/overtime.      

That set the stage for a special season where they Suns registered a franchise record 64 regular season wins. Their fourth 60-plus win season in franchise history. They also captured their eighth Pacific Division title in franchise history.

Best Regular Seasons By Wins in Suns History
64-18 Record 2021-22  .780 Win%      1^st West
62-20 Record 1992-93  .756 Win %     1^st West
62-20 Record 2004-05  .756 Win%      1^st West
61-21 Record 2006-07  .756 Win%      1^st West

While the Suns were led on the sidelines by Coach Williams, who has been a major factor in the Suns’ turnaround since his arrival in the “Valley of the Suns” in 2019 his extension has been now 12-time All-Star Chris Paul (14.7 ppg, 10.8 apg-Led NBA, 1.9 spg-2^nd NBA 49.3 FG%) who continues to give “Father Time” a run for its money.

For the eighth time in his career, the man affectionately called “CP3” or “The Point God” averaged a double-double. Led the NBA in assists per contest for the fifth time in his career (2007-08; 2008-09; 2013-14; 2014-15; & 2021-22). He registered 41 games with 10 or more assists, which gave him 552 career games with 10-Plus assists, the third most in NBA History. Only Hawks Trey Young had more total assists in 2021-22 then Paul, who earned his 11^th All-NBA selection of his career making the Third team for second time (First Team 2008-2012-14; Second Team 2009, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021; Third Team 2011 & 2022).

        Most Career Games By A Player With 10-Plus Assists NBA History: Top 11      
John Stockton: 863                           Mark Jackson: 411
Jason Kidd: 569                                Russell Westbrook (LAL): 380
Chris Paul (PHX): 552                     Rajon Rondo: 336
Earvin “Magic” Johnson: 520         Kevin Johnson: 332
Steve Nash 509                                  Rod Strickland: 303
Isiah Thomas: 413

Along with being the amazing facilitator and scorer he has been in his first 17 NBA seasons, Paul has also been an exceptional defender making the All-Defensive First Team seven times (2009, 2012-17) and the Second Team twice (2008 & 2011).

He finished No. 5 in total steals in 2021-22 with 121 behind Raptors Gary Trent, Jr. (122), Pelicans’ rookie Herbert Jones (130), Pacers Tyrese Haliburton (134), and Spurs Dejounte Murray (138).

Paul on Jan. 12 was leading the NBA in total assists (402) and total steals (78) and came close to doing that for the third time in his career (2007-08 & 2008-09 w/New Orleans Hornets).

 

 

 

 

Players Led NBA in Total Assists and Steals In Same Season NBA History Season
                                                  Year            Age               Team     
Donald “Slick” Watts           1975-76          24           Supersonics
Don Buse                                1976-77          26               Pacers
Michael “Ray” Richardson  1979-80          24              Knicks
John Stockton                        1988-89          26                Jazz
John Stockton                        1991-92          29                Jazz
Chris Paul                              2007-08          22           N.O. Hornets
Chris Paul                              2008-09          23           N.O. Hornets

In the Suns 134-124 victory versus the Timberwolves on Jan. 28, Paul authored is second triple-double of 2021-22 (both coming in January) with 21 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds, going 4/5 on his threes. It was his third career triple-double since he turned age 35 and the 18^th triple-double of his career.

                              Chris Paul Milestones in 2021-22                                                         
Oct. 22, 2021: (115-105) Win at Lakers: 23 Pts and 14 Asts: Became First Player In
NBA History To Record 20,000 Points and 10,000 Assists In Career

Nov. 2, 2021: (112-100) Win at Pelicans: 14 Pts and 18 Asts: Passed NBA on ESPN Color Analyst Mark Jackson and Hall of Famer and Nets Head Coach Steve Nash into No. 3 On
NBA’s All-Time Assists List.   

Feb. 3, 2022: (124-11) Loss at Hawks on TNT: 18 Pts, 12 Asts, 3 Stls, 0 Turnovers:
50^th Career Game With 10 Assists and 0 Turnovers: most NBA All-Time.

Feb. 10, 2022: (131-107) Win versus Bucks on TNT: 17 Pts and 19 Asts-Tied Season-High:
Recorded His 500^th Career Double-Double and Joined Hall of Famer John Stockton As Only Two Guards NBA History to accomplish that.

Players In NBA History With 500-Plus Career Double-Doubles
Tim Duncan: 841                  Charles Barkley: 710
Karl Malone: 814                  Patrick Ewing: 580
Hakeem Olajuwon: 775        David Robinson: 544
Dwight Howard: 748            Pau Gasol: 532
Kevin Garnett: 742               LeBron James (LAL): 528
Shaquille O’Neal: 727          Chris Paul (PHX): 505
John Stockton: 714

Apr. 1, 2022: (122-114) Loss at Grizzlies on NBATV: 8 Pts, 11 Asts, 3 Stls: Passed Hall of
Famer Gary Payton, Sr. Into No. 4 no NBA’s All-Time Steals List. 

NBA All-Time Leaders In Steals: 2,000-Plus Steals                                             
John Stockton: 3,265                     Maurice Cheeks: 2,310            Alvin Robertson: 2,112
Jason Kidd: 2,684                          Scottie Pippen: 2,307               Karl Malone: 2,085
Michael Jordan: 2,514                   Clyde Drexler: 2,207               Mookie Blaylock: 2,075
Chris Paul (PHX): 2,453               Hakeem Olajuwon: 2,162
Gary Payton: 2,445                        LeBron James (LAL): 2,136

Apr. 5, 2022: (121-110) Win versus Lakers on NBATV: 6 Pts, 12 Asts, 2 Stls: Led Suns Win No. 63 In 2021-22, New Single-Season Record: Became 1^st Player In NBA History To Be A Part Of Four Teams To Set Their Franchise Record For Wins In Regular Season.

                      Chris Paul and Franchise Wins Record                  
2007-08 New Orleans Pelicans   56 Wins
2013-14 Los Angeles Clippers    57 Wins
2017-18 Houston Rockets           65 Wins
2021-22 Phoenix Suns                 64 Wins

Since the arrival of Paul in 2020-21, the Suns have gone 105-34 with him in the lineup (13-7 without him).

Paul has definitely made the lives of now three-time All-Star guard Devin Booker (26.8 ppg-8^th NBA, 5.0 rpg, 4.8 apg, 46.6 FG%, 38.3 3-Pt.%) and center Deandre Ayton (17.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 63.4 FG%-4^th NBA) even easier.

When Booker and Ayton were drafted by the Suns in 2015 (No. 13 overall out of University of Kentucky) and 2018 (No. 1 overall out of University of Arizona) respectably, they entered an organization with a losing culture. Both along with Paul have made it back into a winning one.

Booker, who earned his First All-NBA selection making the First Team thanks setting career-highs in scoring and assists registered five double-doubles a season ago and made a career-high 183 total threes (183/478 3-Pt.). The 53 games of 20-plus points ranked 10^th NBA, which included 28 games of 30-plus points (T-6^th NBA), and his four games with 40-plus points (T-8^th NBA), which fell one shy of the five such games he had in 2018-19.

His 9.3 scoring average in the opening quarter of 2021-22 was second only to the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic 9.5.

Ayton simply put has gotten better and better on both ends of the court. In his first four NBA seasons, the 2019 All-Rookie First Team selection has registered 39, 23, 33, and 30 double-doubles. He has registered 30 or more double-doubles in three of his first four NBA seasons while also shooting over 60 percent from the field for last two seasons.

Ayton in his first four seasons with the Suns have averaged 16.3 points and 10.5 rebounds on 60 percent from the field.   

Players To Average 15-Plus Points And 10-Plus Rebounds on 55 FG% Their 1^st Four NBA Season
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1969-73 w/Bucks
Jeff Ruland 1981-85 w/Washington Bullets (now Wizards)
Buck Williams 1981-85 w/New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets
Charles Barkley 1984-88 w/76ers
Shaquille O’Neal: 1992-96 w/Magic
Dwight Howard: 2004-08 w/Magic
Deandre Ayton: 2018-22 w/Suns

Unlike last season, the Suns had injuries and illness issues a season ago.

Paul missed 17 games in total, including the first 15 post All-Star break  (Feb. 24-Mar. 24, 2022) with a fractured right thumb that occurred in Suns 124-121 triumph versus the Rockets on Feb. 16. The Suns went 11-4 without Paul.

Booker missed 14 total games a season ago with strained hamstring (missed seven games: Dec. 2-19, 2021) and health and safety protocols (missed four games: Mar. 2-9, 2022).

Ayton missed 24 total games in 2021-22 with right leg contusion (Nov. 2, 2021 versus Pelicans on TNT; missed five straight games: Nov. 6-15, 2021); an illness (missed two games: Dec. 10-14, 2021); health and safety protocols (missed six straight games: Dec. 27, 2021-Jan. 8, 2022); and an ankle injury (missed seven straight games: Jan. 17-Feb. 1, 2022).

The Suns managed to remain atop the West without their “Big Three” because the rise in play of the supporting cast of NBA 2022 All-Defensive selection in forward Mikal Bridges (14.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 53.4 FG%, 36.9 3-Pt.%), forward Cameron Johnson (12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 46.0 FG%, 42.5 3-Pt.%: 4^th NBA), Paul’s understudy Cameron Payne (10.8 ppg, 4.9 apg), Jae Crowder (9.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Landry Shamet (8.3 ppg, 36.8 3-Pt.%) and Bismack Biyombo (5.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 59.3 FG% in 36 games).

Bridges, who finished No. 2 in voting for Kia Defensive Player of the Year made over 100 threes (115/312 3-Pt.) for the third time in his first four NBA seasons and has averaged scoring in double-figures in back-to-back seasons (13.5 ppg, in 2020-21).

Perhaps the best ability of the No. 10 overall pick in 2018 out of Villanova University has been his availability as he has played in all 309 games his first four NBA seasons, including starting in 242 of those 309 games played.

Last season, the three-time Dan Majerle Hustle Award recipient along with Pistons’ Saddiq Bey were the only two players to start all 82 games. Bridges also was one of just five players: Warriors Kevon Looney; Wizards’ Deni Avdija; the aforementioned Bey of the Pistons; and Mavericks Dwight Powell to play in all 82 games in 2021-22.

In his first two NBA seasons, Johnson, who finished third in voting for Kia Sixth Man of the Year registered just two 20-plus point games. He registered 10 such games in 2021-22.

That included a career-high of 38 points on 11/16 from the field and 9/12 from three in leading the Suns to a 115-114 victory Mar. 2 versus Knicks on ESPN. Johnson on that night scored 29 of those 38 points in the second half, with 21 points on 7/8 shooting, including 6/7 from three-point range in the fourth quarter, including hitting the game-winning triple off the glass in the final seconds from 31 feet.

Suns on this night earned their 50^th victory in 2021-22, which made them first team to reach 50 wins for second time in NBA history, joining the 1992-93 Suns’ Suns squad.

Players With 9-Plus Made Threes And Game-Winner At Buzzer In NBA History
Damian Lillard (POR) Game 5 First-Round Apr. 23, 2019 Trail Blazers versus Thunder on TNT: 118-115 Win By Trail Blazers.

Cameron Johnson (PHX) Mar. 4, 2022 versus Knicks: 115-114 Win By Suns.

From Nov. 30, 2021-Jan. 8, 2022, Johnson, who made a career-high 166 triples (166/391 3-Pt.) scored in double-figures 19 consecutive games and made at least two threes in a franchise record 22 consecutive games.

Post All-Star break, Johnson, who has made over 100 triples his first three NBA seasons was averaging 15.4 points on 45.7 percent from the floor and 40.3 percent from three-point range.

In the 16 games he started when the Suns were short-handed because of injury or illness, the No. 11 overall pick in 2019 Draft averaged 16.3 points and 4.9 rebounds on 49.2 percent from the field, and 42.0 percent from three-point range.

Johnson though missed 16 games last season, including missing13 straight games (Mar. 6-Apr. 1, 2022, with a right quad contusion. He also missed three games (Jan. 11-17, 2022) with a sprained right ankle.  

Since joining the team in the restart in Orlando, FL in 2020, Payne has been a solid back to Paul and that continued in 2021-22 especially as a starter, where he averaged 14.0 points and nine assist on 35.5 % from three.  

The former Murray State racer did miss 24 total games a season ago with a hamstring issue (missed five games: Oct. 23, 2021-Nov. 6, 2021) and a sprained right wrist, getting injured Jan. 22 versus the Pacers.

Crowder missed a total of 15 games being in health and safety protocols (missed six straight games: Dec. 27,2021-Jan. 8, 2022); left wrist contusion (missed four straight games Jan. 24-Feb. 1); and left groin soreness (missed two games: Mar. 16-20)

Crowder along with being a solid defender and shooter during his time with the Suns making over 120 threes for the fifth time in his NBA career, including in his first two seasons with the Suns. 

While he may have not flashed on most people’s radar by his numbers, but Biyombo, who signed with the Suns on Jan. 1 on a day deal via COVID-19 hardship exemption really stood out by his availability and playing big in the paint on both ends for the Suns. Biyombo registered six double-doubles in his 36 appearances for the Suns, who signed him for the remainder of last season on Jan. 11.

In a trade with the Pacers, the Suns brought back for a second stint forward Torrey Craig (6.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 45.4 FG%, in 78 games w/Pacers & Suns) and cash considerations in exchange for center Jalen Smith and a 2022 Second Round pick.

In another deal with the Wizards, the Suns dealt guard Aaron Holiday to D.C. for cash considerations.  

                      Suns Record By Availability             
                                                Record
Full Roster                               25-7
Without Chris Paul                11-6
Without Deandre Ayton         18-6
Without Devin Booker             8-6
Without Ayton & Booker        7-2

When Coach Williams, the 2021-22 Kia Coach of the Year had his full roster, the Suns as mentioned were majestic on both ends of the floor.

When it came to the offensive end, the Suns led the NBA in field goal percentage (48.5%). While they ranked at the bottom in three attempted at 31.9 (26^th NBA) and threes made at 11.6 (21^st NBA), and in free throw attempts at 19.9 (27^th NBA), they were No. 9 in three-point percentage (36.4%) and No. 7 in free throw percentage (79.7%). They also ranked No. 4 in points in the paint at 49.8 and were No. 5 in points off turnovers at 18.1.

The Suns went 29-1 as season ago when they scored 120 or more, including a perfect 9-0 when they registered 130 points or more. From Dec. 6, 2021-Feb. 5, 2022, the Suns scored 100-plus points for 25 consecutive games and in 54 out of their final 56 games of 2021-22.

From Mar. 13-27, 2022, the Suns scored 120 or more in seven consecutive games as part of their nine-game winning streak (Mar. 13-Apr. 1, 2022).

That stellar offensive execution came off their consistent work at the defensive end of the floor, where the Suns were ranked very high in several categories.

                                         Suns Defense In 2021-22                                                
44.4 Opp. FG%:           4^th  NBA      +0.8 Rebound Differential: 12^th NBA
34.0 Opp. 3-Pt.%:        5^th  NBA        8.6 Steals: 6^th NBA
34.2 Opp. 3-Pt. Att.:    10^th NBA       45.2 Paint Points: 8^th NBA
11.6 Opp. 3-Pt. Made: 4^th  NBA        11.3 Fastbreak Points: 6^th NBA

Suns went 22-0 a season ago when they held their opponent under 100 points.

In the start of their hopeful journey back to The Finals, the Top Seeded Suns defeated the Pelicans 110-99 in Game 1 of their First-Round series Apr. 17 on TNT in a wire-to-wire victory were they led by as many as 23 points.

Suns, who led 53-34 at the half were outscored by the Pelicans 37-26 in the third quarter to have their lead cut to 79-71 after three quarters but managed to maintain their distance from their opponent.

Suns outscored the Pelicans 50-38 in the paint and 15-2 in fastbreak points. Suns 25 assists on their 42 made shots, shooting 53.8 percent from the field (42/78 FGs) and 16/21 at the foul line. They had nine block shots and turned 14 Pelicans turnovers into 21 points.

Paul led the way with 30 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals on 12/16 from the floor and 4/6 from three. He scored 19 of those 30 points on 7/8 from the floor and made three of his four triples in the fourth quarter. That included scoring 17 straight points in the final period.

Paul in his 130^th career Playoff game had his 10^th career 30/10 (points/assists) game in the postseason. He also had his 17^th career 30-point game in the Playoffs.

The Suns dropped Game 2 at home 125-114 versus the Pelicans to tie the series at 1-1.

After outscoring the Pelicans 44-26 in the second quarter to lead 61-56 at intermission, the Suns were outscored 69-53 in the second half, including 34-22 in the third period.

Booker, who had all 31 of his points (12/19 FGs: 7/11 3-Pt.) in the opening half, suffered tightness in his right hamstring at 4:50 mark of the second quarter while chasing down the Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes in transition. He did not play in second half.

Bridges had 19 points and six rebounds in the defeat. Paul had 17 points and 14 assists but went just 5/16 from the field and 2/6 on his threes. Johnson had 11 points but was just 4/10 from the floor and 1/6 from three. Ayton had a double-double of just 10 points with 19 rebounds.

Booker 1^st Half  1^st Quarter: 16 Points, 6/10 FGs: 4/6 3-Pt.
Game 2              2^nd Quarter: 15 points 6/9 FGs:    3/5 3-Pt.

Booker had 15 of his team’s final 17 points of the second period and had the second highest scoring half of his career. But the rest of the Suns totaled 30 points on 12/27 shooting but just 3/13 on their threes. He became the second player in last 25 postseasons to score 15 points in under six minutes of a quarter and scored the most points in the last 25 postseasons by a player who went scoreless in second half.

Booker had 25 points and eight assists (8/19 FGs) and 4/8 from three. Ayton had 21 points and nine rebounds on 10/15 shooting. Johnson added 13 points while Bridges had 11 points, five boards and two blocks.

Suns regained homecourt advantage, winning Game 3 114-111 at the Pelicans on ESPN to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

The visitors from the “Valley of the Sun” used a 16-5 run to close the second quarter to lead 59-48 at the half outscoring the Pelicans 31-19 in the second quarter. Suns were outscored 31-22 in the third quarter to lead only 81-79 after three quarters. An 8-3 after the score was tied 90-90 with 6:32 left in the fourth period gave the Suns breathing room and Paul sealed the victory with three straight mid-range jumpers from 14, 17, and 19 feet as well as four straight free throws the final 1:32 of regulation.    

Paul led the way with 28 points and 14 assists on 10/18 shooting. Ayton also had 28 points with 17 rebounds and three steals on 13/20 shooting. Bridges had 17 points going 9/9 at the charity stripe. Crowder scored 10.

Suns outscored the Pelicans again 64-40 in the paint and 13-7 in second chance points. Shot 50.6 percent in Game 3 (44/87 FGs). Had 26 assists on 44 made shots. Were 22/27 at the foul line and turned 15 Pelicans turnovers into 23 points.

Paul scored 15 of the Suns first 23 points in the fourth quarter and had 19 points in the period.

Paul In 4^th         Game 1: 19 Points, 7/8 FGs: 3/4 3-Pt.
Quarter 1^st        Game 2:   7 Points, 2/5 FGs: 1/3 3-Pt.
Three Games    Game 3: 19 points 7/10 FGs: 0/2 3-Pt.

Paul had his seventh career postseason game with 10-plus assists and no turnovers, most in NBA Playoffs all-time. First player in NBA Playoff history with 10-plus assists and zero turnovers in consecutive games. Had his 51^st career game in the Playoffs with 10-plus assists.

Most Assists In Two-Game Span NBA Playoff History Without A Turnover Since 1976-77 Merger
Chris Paul (PHX) 28 Assists   2022
John Stockton:     20 Assists   2001
Mark Jackson:     18 Assists   2000

Ayton 28 points set a new Playoff career-high, scoring 13 of those 28 points in the opening period.

Suns were taken down in Game 4 118-103 at the Pelicans Apr. 24 on TNT and series was tied 2-2.

The visiting Suns led 51-49 at the half, outscoring the Pelicans 29-24 in the second period. But they were outscored by the Pelicans 69-52 in the second half, including 35-23 in the third quarter to trail 84-74 after three quarters.

2^nd Quarter               PHX                NOP
Summary                   29.7    PPG      21.0
Entering Game 4      54%    FG%    30%
                                   14.7  Paint Pts  3.3
                                    2.3       TOs

Suns in the second quarter shot 12/20 from the floor (60%) scoring 16 of their 29 points in the period in the paint.

Ayton in the loss had 23 points and eight boards on 11/14 shooting. Johnson had 13 points and five boards (4/12 FGs) on 3/7 from three. Crowder had 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals (3/7 FGs).

Paul had just four points but 11 assists and two steals on just 2/8 shooting. He scored all of his points in Game 4 in the first quarter. His 25 percent shooting in Game 4, third worst of his career.

Paul 4^th Quarter        Game 1: 19 Pts in Win         Game 3: 19 Points in Win
So Far In Series         Game 2:  7  Pts in Loss         Game 4:  0 Points in Loss

Suns took Game 5 112-97 Apr. 26 on TNT, to lead the series 3-2 behind an 11-2 run to close the first period put the Suns up 32-20 and never trailed again leading by as many as 18 points. A three-pointer by Payne late in the third quarter held off a Pelicans rally bring the lead back to double-digits. After Pelicans pulled to within 100-93, a one-handed dunk in the open floor by Johnson ignited a 12-4 closing run.

Bridges was remarkable with a Playoff career-high of 31 points with five boards and a career-high four blocks on 12/17 shooting, making all four of his threes. He scored 13 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter on 5/7 from the field.

Paul had another double-double of 22 points and 11 assists with six rebounds (8/18) shooting, scoring six of his 22 points in the fourth quarter. He scored or assisted on 31 of the Suns 59 first half points. Registered his 31^st career 20/10 (points/assists) game of his postseason career.

Most Career Playoff Games With 10-Plus Points and 10-Plus Assists NBA Playoff History
Earvin “Magic” Johnson: 137         Chris Paul (PHX): 50
John Stockton: 87                             LeBron James (LAL): 50
Steve Nash: 51

Ayton had 19 points and nine rebounds. Payne 12 points and two steals.

Suns had 28 assists on 43 made shots, shooting 50 percent from the floor (43/86 FGs) and scored 23 points off 15 Pelicans turnovers, 10 of which came on steals.

Booker (Grade 1 right hamstring strain) missed his third straight game.

Suns closed out the pesky Pelicans 115-109 in Game 6 Apr. 28 on TNT to win the series 4-2.

Trailing 58-48 at intermission after getting outscored 30-20 in the second quarter, Suns began third period 13/14 shooting outscoring the Pelicans 34-27 in the period closing the quarter on an 11-5 run to trail only 85-82 after three quarters. A left wing made three by Booker put the Suns up 106-104 and sparked a 12-5 finish with 1:42 left in regulation that closed the deal for the Suns.

3rd Quarter Summary         PHX                NOP     
Entering Game 6                   24.6    PPG       33.8              
                                                42%   FG%     58%
                                                25%   3-Pt.%   54%
                                                11.2 Paint Pts   14.8

3^rd Quarter Summary           PHX                 NOP
Game 6                                     34       Pts          27
                                                15/20   FGs       10/17
                                                 75%   FG%    58.8%
                                                 2/5     3-Pt.        3/5
                                                 18   Paint Pts    12

Suns shot 60 percent from the floor in the series clincher (45/75 FGs) and turned 17 Pelicans turnovers into 25 points.

Paul 33 points, eight assists, five rebounds 14/14 FGs (1/1 3-Pt.; 4/4 FTs). Ayton 22 points, seven rebounds, 10/12 FGs; Bridges 18 points, two steals (7/12 FGs: 2/2 3-Pt.); Johnson (4/7 FGs: 2/3 3-Pt. and Booker (5 rebounds; 5/12 FGs: 1/6 3-Pt.) 13 points each.

Booker (Grade 1 right hamstring strain) played 32 minutes in his return from three-game absence.

                                      Chris Paul In Game 6 At Pelicans                                                            
-Scored 30 points for the 18^th Time in His Postseason Career
-14/14 FGs: most made shots without a miss in NBA Playoff History.
-Most points scored without a missed shot or free throw in NBA Postseason History.
-10 Points, 4/4 shooting 1^st Half; 13 Points 6/6 FGs (1/1 3-Pt.) 3^rd Quarter;
10 Points, Four Rebounds, Three Assists, 4/4 FGs, 2/2 FTs 4^th Quarter
19 Points 4^th Quarter In Games 1 And 3: All Wins
-11/11 shooting in the paint.
-scored or assisted on 11 of the Suns 16 points in clutch time.
-made the most consecutive field goals in a Playoff Game in NBA History.

Paul for the series totaled 69 assists and just nine turnovers. 

The quest to make it back to The Finals continued in the West Semis with a 121-114 win in Game 1 versus the Mavericks May 2 on TNT, registering their 10^th straight win against the Mavericks.

Suns led wire-to-wire using an 18-9 run to close the opening half after the Mavericks pulled to within 51-47.

Suns shot 50.5 percent from the floor in Game 1 (46/91 FGs), registering 27 assists on those 46 made shots and went 18/18 at the foul line. This was the Suns seventh consecutive Playoff game shooting 50 percent from the floor to start the Playoffs. 

Ayton led in victory with 25 points and eight rebounds on 12/20 shooting. Booker had 23 points, eight assists, and nine rebounds (7/20 FGs: 1/5 3-Pt.), going 8/8 at foul line. Paul had 19 points and five assists (7/13 FGs). Johnson had 17 points and five boards (6/10 FGs: 3/6 3-Pt.). Bridges 13 points and seven boards with two blocks. Crowder 11 points and eight rebounds, going 3/5 from three.

Ayton shot 60 percent from the floor in a seventh straight Playoff game. Johnson’s 17 points in Game 1 Playoff career-high.

Suns won Game 1 for a sixth straight series dating back to 2021.

Suns rolled in Game 2 over the Mavericks 129-109 May 4 on TNT to take a 2-0 series lead.

Suns led by as many as 10 in the opening period but were outscored 32-26 in the second quarter and were down 60-58 at the half. Outscored the Mavericks 71-49 in the second half, including 40-26 in the fourth quarter. They used an 11-5 run to close the third period to lead 89-83 after three quarters and used a 30-16 run to close matters in the fourth period.

Suns began Game 2 shooting 64.7 percent from the field in the opening period going 11/17 from the floor and shot 64.5 percent for Game 2 (49/76 FGs) a single-game franchise Playoff record. They were especially hot from the field to close Game 2 going 16/19 from the field in the final period for 84.2 percent.

Most Consecutive Games Shooting 50 Percent Or Better To Start Postseason NBA History
Lakers 1984: 10 Straight Games
Suns     2022:   8 Straight Games
Lakers 1986:  7 Straight Games

Suns outscored the Mavericks 50-32 in the paint; outrebounded them 34-25; shot 13/25 on their threes; and had six block shots.

Suns have won 11 straight games against the Mavericks dating back to 2019. Their last loss to the Mavericks Nov. 29, 2019.

Booker led the way with 30 points on 11/19 shooting, including 5/8 from three. Paul had 28 points, eight assists and six rebounds on 11/16 shooting. Crowder 15 points and seven rebounds going 3/5 from three. Bridges had 11 points and six boards. Ayton had nine points on 3/6 shooting.

After going 3/26 from three-point range in the First Round against the Pelicans, Crowder the first two games of West Semis against the Mavericks has gone 6/9 from three.

Suns Starting             1^st  Half: Paul 8 Pts,   2/6 FGs;     Booker    9 Points, 4/8 FGs
Backcourt Game 2    2^nd Half: Paul 20 Pts, 9/10 FGs; Bookers 21 Points, 7/11 FGs

Paul Game 2              1^st 3 Quarters: 14 Points, 5/9 FGs
                4^th Quarter: 14 Points, 6/7 FGs

Booker authored his 12^th career 30-point game in the postseason, second of 2022 Playoffs.  

Paul scored or assisted on the Suns first 19 points of the fourth quarter in Game 2 and is now averaging 10.2 points in the final period to this point in 2022 Playoffs.

                     Chris Paul In 4^th Quarter So Far In 2022 Playoffs                         
                                                                       Points            Result   
Game 1 First Round  vs Pelicans                   19                Win
Game 3 First Round  at Pelicans                   19                 Win
Game 6 First Round  at Pelicans                   10                 Win
Game 2 First Round  vs Mavericks               14                 Win

Suns dropped Game 3 at Mavericks 103-94 May 6 on ESPN now leading series 2-1 not producing a 20-points scorer in a Playoff game for the first time since Game 3 of 2021 Finals at the Bucks.

Suns had an early six-point lead in the opening period. But the Mavericks led from that point on.

They shot under 50 percent for the first time in 2022 Playoffs at 44.7 percent (34/76FGs) and were held under 100 points for the first as well in 2022 Postseason.

Crowder had 19 Points, seven boards, five assists, and two steals going 5/8 from three-point range. Booker had 18 points and six assists (6/13 FGs) going 4/6 on his threes. Ayton had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Paul had 12 points, seven rebounds but only four assists (5/9 FGs: 2/4 3-Pt.). Bridges shot just 5/14 from the field for 12 points.

Suns had 17 turnovers that led to 22 Mavericks points. Paul (7) and Booker (5) combined for 12 turnovers, their most in a game as teammates across two seasons.

Paul had six turnovers the first 16 minutes of Game 3 and had all seven of his miscues in the opening half, to go along with seven points and two assists.  It was the most turnovers for him in any half of his career (regular season or Playoffs). This also was Paul’s third seven-turnover performance in 138 career games in the postseason.

Paul had five points and two assists in the fourth quarter, now totaling a league-leading 87 points and 22 assists in the fourth period to this point in the 2022 Playoffs. 

Suns dropped another in “Big D” 111-101 in Game 4 May 8 on ESPN that nodded the series at 2-2.

After they led briefly in the opening period, the Suns trailed from that point on down by as many as 17 points in the second period. The Suns rallied to get within eight points late in the fourth period but never got closer.

They had another 17 turnovers that resulted in 23 Mavericks points after having 17 turnovers that led to 22 Mavericks points in the Game 3 defeat.

Suns lost two in a row for the fifth time this season. Shot under 50 percent from the floor at 46.4 percent (39/84 FGs) and just 9/25 on their triple tries.

Suns averaged just 97.5 points in Games 3 and 4 in Dallas and 125 points in Phoenix.

Booker in the loss had 35 points and seven assists on 10/22 shooting, going 3/6 on his threes and 12/13 at the foul line. Crowder had 15 points and six rebounds (6/13 FGs: 2/7 3-Pt.). Ayton had his third double-double of the postseason with 14 points and 11 rebounds with two blocks (7/12 FGs). Johnson had 11 points and five boards, going 3/7 from three.

Booker had his 13^th career 30-plus point game in the Playoffs, having already surpassed Kevin Johnson for the third most in Suns Playoff history, with Amar’e Stoudemire and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley in front with 16 and 15 such games respectably.

Paul had a game to forget in Game 4 with five points, five assists, seven rebounds, 2/4 shooting battling foul trouble all game fouling out for the first time in his 139 career Playoff game. He had four fouls in the first half, the most in a first half of his career (regular season or Playoffs). Had more fouls (6) than points (5).

Suns had an emphatic response in Game 5 winning in dominating fashion 110-80 May 10 on TNT to take a 3-2 series lead outscoring the Mavericks 61-34 in the second half.  

Suns overcame an early eight-point first quarter deficit outscoring the Mavericks 87-54 the final three quarters, including 33-14 in the third. They used a 31-10 run, that included a 17-0 in the third to break the game wide open and led by as many as 30 points.

Suns outscored the Mavericks in Game 5 44-24 in the paint; got 38 points from their bench; shot 49.4 percent (43/87 FGs), including 12/32 on their threes, including going 8/18 from three in the second half. They had 28 assists on 43 made field goals; and scored 24 points off 18 Mavericks turnovers, with 10 of those 18 miscues coming off of steals.

Booker led the charge with 28 points, seven assists and two steals on 11/20 shooting and 3/7 from three. Ayton had 20 points and nine rebounds (9/13 FGs); Bridges had 14 points and seven rebounds with four steals. Johnson 14 points and two steals. Paul had just seven points (3/8 FGs) but 10 assists.

3^rd Quarter Summary    DAL                   PHX
Game 5                              14       Pts            33
                                          6/15    FGs         13/24
                                         40%   FG%       54.2%
                                          1/8      3-Pt.         3/9
                                           12      TOs           2
                                            3     Pts Off       18
                                                      TOs

Booker scored 12 of his 28 points in the third quarter on route to his 18^th career 25-point game of his postseason career.

Booker has now totaled 804 points in 30 career Playoff games, the 18^th player in NBA Playoff history with at least 800 points scored in their first 30 postseason games, joining the Lakes Anthony Davis and LeBron James, Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell, Vince Carter, and Hall of Famers Tracy McGrady, and Allen Iverson to accomplish this since 2000.

Suns were dominated again at the Mavericks dropping Game 6 113-86 that tied the series 3-3, who trailed from late in the first half on after the Mavericks used a 19-5 run and led from that point by as many as 27 points.

The Suns 60-45 deficit at the half of Game 6 is the largest in a Playoff contest under head coach Monty Williams.

Suns had 20-plus turnovers at the Mavericks for third time in the series with 22 miscues that led to 29 Mavericks points and registered a season-low (regular season or Playoffs) with 86 points in Game 6, previous season-low 94 points in Game 3.

Outside of Ayton, who had his third double of the series and fifth double-double of his postseason career with 21 Points and 11 Rebounds on 10/16 shooting, the rest of his teammates struggled.

Suns Woes In Game 6           Booker 19 Pts, 8 Rebs, 6/17 FGs: 0/4 3-Pt. 8 Turnovers
                                                Paul 13 Pts, 4 Asts 4/7 FGs: 3/5 3-Pt., 5 Turnovers
                                                Bridges 7 Pts, 5 Rebs, 5 Asts, 2/7 FGs
                                                Crowder 9 Pts, 2/4 FGs
                                                Johnson 5 Pts, 3 Rebs, 1/5 FGs

Booker was held under 20 points for the third time in 2022 Playoffs.

Paul in First Round versus the Pelicans had nine total turnovers, averaging 1.5 miscues per game for the series. In the first six games of the West Semis against the Mavericks, he has totaled 22 turnovers for an average of 3.6 miscues.

In the shocker of all shockers, the Suns were drummed at home in the deciding Game 7 127-90 May 15 on TNT, to lose the series 4-3.

The game got away in the second quarter when the Suns were outscored 30-10 to trail 57-27 at the half and trailed by as many as 46 points in the second half.

The Suns, who managed just 17 points in the opening period on 6/23, registered just 10 points in the second quarter on a rough 4/18 from the field, including 0/6 from three.

Suns shot just 37.9 percent from the field (33/87FGs) in Game 7, including 12/34 on their threes.

The Suns joined the 2006-07 Mavericks as the two teams to win at least 64 games in the regular season and not reach the Conference Finals. 

First Three                 DAL               PHX
Quarters Of                 92       Pts       50
Game 7                       32/61   FGs    18/59
                                    16/33   3-Pt.    4/20
                                      38      Rebs     28
                                      28  Paint Pts  24

Suns In           Johnson 12 Pts, 5 Reb, 3/6 FGs: 2/4 3-Pt.
Game 7           Booker  11 Pts, 2 Asts, 3/14 Fgs: 0/4 3-Pt.
                        Paul       10 Pts, 4 Asts, 4/8 FGs:   1/3 3-Pt.
                        Bridges    6 Pts, 2 Rebs, 3/11 FGs: 0/3 3-Pt.
                        Crowder  5 Pts, 4 Rebs, 2/9 FGs: 1/6 3-Pt.
                        Ayton      5 Pts, 4 Rebs, 2/5 FGs

This was an offseason for the Suns that began rather well starting with the hiring of Morgan Cato as their new assistant GM and Vice President of Basketball Operations. Cato had previously worked under NBA President of Operations Byron Spruell.

Officially on July 7, the Suns signed Booker to a four-year, $224 million max extension. The deal begins in 2024-25 bring Booker’s total to value added to his current deal of six years and $295 million. 

“Devin with his work ethic and commitment to excellence, has established himself as one of the league’s best players, elevating himself and our organization,” Suns GM James Jones said in a statement in July. “We are beyond excited to extend the mutual commitment between Book, the Suns, and the Phoenix community. He is just getting started.”

They also in July re-signed Biyombo to a one-year, $2.9 million deal and added in free agency guard Damion Lee from the now defending NBA champion Warriors (7.4 ppg, 44. 1 FG% w/Warriors) and former Timberwolves reserve guard Jos Okogie on one-year, $1.8 million respectable deals.

The first real rough patch for the Suns came in the negotiations of extending Ayton, a restricted free agent.

In the Suns head-scratching Game 7 blowout loss, Ayton only played 17 minutes, to which Coach Williams when asked about it in his postgame presser said the decision was “internal.”

“I haven’t spoken to Monty. No, I haven’t spoken to him at all,” Ayton, who averaged 17.9 points and 8.9 rebounds on 64 percent shooting in 2022 Playoffs said back on Sept. 28 about his benching in Game 7.

He added about if he could speak to Coach Williams what he would say, “I can show I’m better than I can tell him. Nobody really cares about the uncomfortable nature about it. It’s how you perform and what you’re going to bring to the table.”

Externally, Ayton was stewing because the Suns refused to extend him on a rookie max deal the previous summer where he was the only player in the Top 5 of the 2018 Draft class not to be extended.

    Notable 2018 Draftees To Sign Contract Extensions   
Luka Doncic (DAL) 5-Year, $207 Million
Trae Yong (ATL) 5-Year, 207 Million
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) 5-Year, $177 Million
Jaren Jackson, Jr. (MEM) 4-Year, $105 Million
Mikal Bridges (PHX) 4-Year $90 Million

Ayton if he got his deal would not have gone into effect until this upcoming season. Also, the game has shifted from low-post front court people unless you are Joel Embiid.

It took Ayton getting a four-year, $133 million offer from the Pacers on July 14, which the Suns had 48 hours to match. They matched it in 24 hours.

The other reason for the holdup is the Suns like every team explored every avenue they could to see if they could trade for superstar two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant. When those plans fell through, they got to the business of taking care of Ayton.

Ayton for sure deserved a five-year deal worth over $170 million. But that was not in the cards and he should be very motivated to earn his next deal four years from now and with the trajectory he has forged his first four NBA seasons, that seems very likely.

In late July, the Suns signed Coach Williams to a multi-year extension. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

All that amazing offseason work by the Suns organization was wiped clean from the presses when Governor Robert Sarver, owner of the team since 2004 was suspended by the NBA in the middle of September for the entire 2022-23 season and fined $10 million by the NBA as a result of an investigation that found during his nearly two decades as the front office leader of the Phoenix’s two pro basketball squads he used the N-word at least on five occasions as well as allegations of racism and misogyny.

The investigation by the NBA was commissioned after ESPN’s Baxter Holmes back on Nov. 4, 2021, published a very detailed story on those allegations of racism and misogyny during Sarver’s tenor.

Led by Wachtell Lipton, a law firm based in New York as well as specialists from the global accounting firm Deloitte, which is headquartered in London and Kirkland & Ellis, a Chicago-based law firm, what was uncovered that Mr. Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and league rules and policies.” 

While “The Association” had stated that Sarver “cooperated fully with the investigative process,” sources around the league told ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, who has covered this story from the start and ESPN’s Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski that Mr. Sarver feels he did not deserve a one-year suspension and have to pay a $10 million fine for his misconduct.

“While I disagree with some of the particulars of the NBA’s report, I would like to apologize for my words and actions that offended our employees,” Sarver said via statement through the Suns. “I take full responsibility for what I have done. I am sorry for causing this pain, and these errors in judgment are not consistent with my personal philosophy or my values.”

“I accept the consequences of the NBA’s decision. This moment is an opportunity for me to demonstrate a capacity to learn and grow as we continue to build a working culture where every employee feels comfortable and valued.” 

Suns named Sam Garvin, who has been with the Suns since Sarver led an ownership group that purchased the Suns back in 2004 interim Governor for the next year while Sarver serves his suspension.

The Suns also released a statement that said they are “committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.”

They also said in the statement that “at the direction of senior leadership,” they have “strengthened” their culture and “focused” on the creation of “a workplace where everyone feels included and valued.” 

The push back and outright anger towards NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s decision to not remove Sarver as Governor of the Suns got very loud in the days that followed.

Suns perennial All-Star lead guard Chris Paul, who served two terms as the President of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) me Kia MVP and four-time NBA champion LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers also tweeted their harsh feelings towards Sarver’s punishment.

“Like many others, I reviewed the report. I was and am horrified and disappointed by what I read,” Paul tweeted @CP3 on evening of Sept. 14. “This conduct especially towards women is unacceptable and must never be repeated.”

“I am of the view that the sanctions fell short in truly addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behavior. My heart goes out to all of the people that were affected.”

James in his tweet about Sarver’s suspension after reading through the report “a few times” that the NBA “definitely got this wrong.”

He also said in his tweet @KingJames, “I don’t need to explain why. Y’all read the stories and decide for yourself. I said it before and I’m gonna say it again, there is no place in this league for that kind of behavior.”  

One of the Suns’ sponsors, their jersey patch partner PayPal said on Friday that it would not renew its sponsorship with the team if Mr. Sarver does get reinstated as the team’s Governor following his one-year suspension.

The Suns jersey patch sponsor PayPal since 2018, who partnership was set to expire after this upcoming NBA season was one of the Suns first business partners to threatened to conclude their partnership if Mr. Sarver remained a part of the organization. That would have meant $3 million that was made by the Suns in 2021-22 would have gone out the door.

In a statement regarding Mr. Sarver, PayPal CEO and President Dan Schulman said, “PayPal’s sponsorship with the Suns is set to expire at the end of the current season. In light of the findings of the NBA’s investigation, we will not renew our sponsorship should Robert Sarver remain involved with the Suns organization, after serving his suspension.”

Suns Vice  Chairman and Minority owner Jahm Najafi, the team’s largest stakeholder on Thursday also called for the resignation of Mr. Sarver saying in an open letter saying there should be “zero tolerance” for any lewd, misogynistic, and racist conduct in any workplace.

“Similar conduct by any CEO, executive director, president, teacher, coach, or any other position of leadership would warrant immediate termination,” Najafi wrote in the letter. “The fact that Robert Sarver ‘owns’ the team does not give him a license to treat others differently than any other leader. The fact that anyone would find him fit to lead because of this ‘ownership’ position is forgetting that NBA teams belong to the communities they serve.”

Najafi also said in the letter that anyone who invests in the team are “temporary stewards.” That if “sports leaders” are not held to the same high standard, then how can it be expected to function with “integrity and respect on any level?”

“We owe it to you: employees, players, partners, and your families to provide the same positive workplace environment we would require of any other business,” Najafi added.

“I cannot in good judgment sit back and allow our children and future generations of fans to think that his behavior is tolerated because of wealth and privilege. Therefore, in accordance with my commitment to helping eradicate any form of racism, sexism, and bias, as Vice Chairman of the Phoenix Suns, I am calling for the resignation of Robert Sarver.”

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and some of the city’ councilmembers also released a statement how they are “appalled” by the actions detailed in the released report on Mr. Sarver. They called it in the letter “unacceptable” for the Suns leadership to have any association in any matter with a person that would display the “despicable actions” that were detailed in the report.

“We have asked the city staff to investigate any actions we, as leaders of the City of Phoenix, can take in the light of the details substantiated in the report,” Gallego added in the statement.

She and the city councilmembers added, “We are equally concerned about a culture that would enable these actions to occur time and again, with—at most—ineffective disciplinary actions.

With the public pressure mounting and major sponsors threatening to pull out Sarver on in late Sept. announced his plans to sell his stake in the Suns as well as the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

“As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness,” Mr. Sarver said in a statement Wednesday. “I expected that the Commissioner’s [Adam Silver’s] one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.”

“But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible—that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past. For those reasons, I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury.”

Commissioner Silver said he “fully supports” Mr. Sarver’s decision to sell the Suns and Mercury adding that, “This is the right next step for the organization and community.”

Robert Sarver Timeline of Events
Nov. 4, 2021: ESPN’s Baxter Holmes publishes story of an investigation into Sarver and Suns’ workplace culture.
Sept. 13, 2021: NBA releases report of an independent investigation on Sarver, suspends Sarver for 2022-23 season and fines him $10 million.
Sept. 15, 2021: Suns minority owner Jahm Najafi calls for Sarver’s resignation.
Sept. 16, 2021: Suns’ Jersey sponsor PayPal says it will not renew after 2022-23 season if Sarver remains involved with team.

The rest of the current ownership group “Suns Legacy Partners, LLC” did issue a statement in support of Sarver’s decision to sell the Suns and Mercury that said on Suns Twitter page @ Suns:

“We agree that Robert Sarver’s decision to sell the Suns and Mercury is in the best interest of the organization and community.”

“We also know that today’s news does not change the work that remains in front of us to create, maintain and protect a best-in-class experience for our staff, players, fans, partners, and community.”

“As we’ve shared with our employees, we acknowledge the courage of the people who came forward in this process to tell their stories and apologize to those hurt.”

 

 

“We are on a journey that began before last November, one that has included changes to leadership, staff and accountability measures. While we are proud of our progress and the culture of respect and integrity we are building, we know there remains work to do and relationships to rebuild. We are committed to doing so for our staff, players, fans, partners, and this community.”

At Media Day, the talk was less about what the Suns did this offseason than about the aftermath of what came from the report on Sarver and what has transpired.

Jones said  that the “focus” for 2022-23 is to maintain the “progress” that the organization has made in creating a better work environment. To continue living out “winning behaviors.”

“I’m just grateful our players and everyone involved feels good about the outcome,” Jones added.

Coach Williams at Media Day said that when he saw the report that he was very “disgusted” by it. That is a word that you “repeat.”

That when you read the report’s bullet points and you see the “N-word” over and over in the manner that Sarver did, “it bothers you.”

“At the same time, I know there’s a different generation in younger generation in young people that are 20-30 years younger than I am that have a different perspective about that word. It has become a socially accepted word. I don’t think that’s something that we should bow down to,” Coach Williams said. “And when you run into situations like this, you realize why because the word is demeaning in every facet.”

Coach Williams also said at Media Day to NBATV’s Steve Smith that it would “really be insensitive” to move on from this difficult moment and not let it affect “our gym.” That he has sympathy towards those that have been affected by Mr. Sarver’s actions. At the same time, he has a job to do and that coach the Suns.

He feels you can do both and hopes that his team can see the level of “care” in the transition of the Suns as they move forward with eventually new owner or ownership.

Booker, who is entering his 8^th season said about reading that report was “tough” because that is not the Mr. Sarver that he “knows.” It is not the person that “welcomed” him to Phoenix, AZ with open arms.

“But at the same time, I’m not insensitive to everybody that’s involved in this situation,” Booker said adding, “And I understand everybody’s personal experience with other people are always going to be different.”

If there is one silver lining about this very rough situation is that it at least is getting settled to the point that Sarver will not be the lead man in the Suns’ front office any longer and that new ownership will be coming hopefully very soon.

As Paul said the team has to “now move on.”

What they have to move onto is the season where they will try rebound after a very difficult ending at the hands of the West runner-up Mavericks.

The Suns as mentioned took care of extending Coach Williams the reign Kia Coach of the Year. A possible Kia MVP candidate in Devin Booker. One of the best centers in the game in Deandre Ayton, who did get paid, maybe one year short on his deal, he got paid. They also have Chris Paul, who got paid last summer on a four-year, $120 million deal.

This is the backbone of the Suns, and they look at this moment as an opportunity to show the best of themselves.

“I went through being at the bottom of the NBA for years on end and multiple years and now signing it this time around with so much promise and so much hope and great foundation of a young core mixed with great veterans. Everything that I’ve always dreamed of,” Booker said about signing his extension and the possibilities on the horizon.

“A chance to play meaningful. Playoff basketball with chances to compete for an NBA title. That’s my goal here. I know that’s no secret to everybody and I’m not going to stop until I get it.”

He also said on Media Day to Smith that the Suns got caught up in “winning a lot of game a season ago and not “improving” in those victories. That it’s easy to let the certain things slide when you are the best team record wise in the league. Those same things though can come back and bite you when it matters. 

Ayton at Media Day said that he has been working on “everything” in his game this offseason and is coming into this season to be “the most dominant person.” Continuing to make the Suns a winning team as “the big piece.”

“Without consistency, you’re not going to get anywhere. And that’s what I’ve realized,” Ayton said to Smith on the greatest lesson he has learned in his NBA career. “And it’s not about what you’ve done yesterday. It’s what you do today. What’s you right next step when it doesn’t work today? Just having the right teammates to where you're giving your all. How they’re giving there all, everything should fall in line.”   

There are two concerns for the Suns entering this season. There is Paul and the tread on his tires that he showed particularly in the West Semis against the Mavericks where only averaged 13.4 points and 5.7 assists, while totaling 22 turnovers.    

But after the way last season ended and what the team went through this summer, the Suns have the right leader to guide them as they start hopefully another run to The Finals.

“I hope everybody got a chance during the summer as I did is to try to figure out how we can get better?” Paul, who averaged 17.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 1.5 steals on a career-high in the postseason 56.1 percent shooting said to Smith about how the Suns can improve and get back to The Finals. “We can’t dwell on the past. But you got to know what situation you were in. And I think everybody’s ready to get back started knowing that we’ve got to start from scratch.”  

What will help Paul not wear down as this upcoming season progresses is having another playmaker alongside him and Booker. That possibly could be Johnson, Bridges, Ayton and Payne to take some of that responsibility off of Paul.

They also have to a better job at getting to the foul, which they No. 27 a season ago at doing at 19.9 attempts, even though they ranked No. 7 in the league in free throw percentage at 79.7 percent.

The other issue right now is what to do with Crowder, who is seeking to be traded after losing his starting job to rising star Cam Johnson, who did not get his rookie extension.

While Paul, Booker, and Ayton might get all the headlines in the Suns rise to one of the best teams in the league, Crowder has been just as valuable with his ability to defend, shoot and his veteran leadership.

That said, him not being in training camp and the controversial comments on social media have not helped his cause as of yet. While Johnson has earned the opportunity he has, not having Crowder there leaves a huge hole.

Two years ago, the Phoenix Suns could only dream of being a team that is in the conversation of being one that is legitimate title contender. They have built themselves into one.

Last years ended in disappointment for the Suns. It was not disappointing with their franchise record 64 wins. The hope is that disappointment along with all that has transpired, good with the extension and tough with the Sarver situation will be fuel to bring the best out of the Suns for a run back to The Finals and hopefully their first title in franchise history.

“I was not going to allow that game to define us. As James said, it was disappointment. But the season wasn’t disappointing,” Coach Williams said at Media Day on how 2021-22 ended. “And I had to flush that if you will and remember all the good stuff that we did last year and do my best along with the staff to try to improve on that.”  

“If you look the same way, you’re not going to get stronger. Attack the resistance in a productive way, it allows for you to grow and get stronger.”

Best Case Scenario: The Suns are a Top 3 Seed in the stacked Western Conference. Paul and Booker are All-Stars again, while Ayton 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 reach The Western Conference Finals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Suns are fighting for homecourt in the First Round. Have injuries and struggle to stay atop the West. Suns have an early playoff exit.  

Grade: A- 

Portland Trail Blazers: 27-55 (4^th Northwest Division; missed the Playoffs; 17-24 at home, 10-31 on the road).

-106.2 ppg-27^th; opp. ppg: 115.1-27^th; 42.9 rpg-27^th  

They have made the playoffs for the eight straight season. But in four of the last five seasons, they have had their season conclude in the First-Round, including in 2021, which led to the ouster of their then head coach. Injuries, especially to their perennial All-Star floor general brought an abrupt conclusion to the longest active streak of postseason appearances in “The Association.” The boys from “Rip City” dealt with a shake-up in their front office. The growing pains of their first-year head coach and the trade of one half of their starting backcourt and two other key role players. With the return of their starting floor general; another year of seasoning by their head coach; a couple of key offseason additions, the goal for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022-23, make it back to the Playoffs and see what happens.

The Trail Blazers finished with their worst record since registering a 21-61 mark in 2005-06. They concluded 2021-22 with 11 straight defeats from Mar. 23-Apr. 10. Their last win of last season came on Mar. 21 (119-115) at the Pistons as they dropped 15 of their final 16 games of 2021-22, going just 2-21 post All-Star break. 

After beginning 2021-22 10-1 at Moda Center, the Trail Blazers lost 23 of their final 30 homes games.

As great as they began 2021-22 at home, it was the complete opposite on the road where they began 1-11 and finished losing 13 of their final 13 road games, with that lone road victory at the aforementioned Pistons in late March.  

It was a rough beginning for Chauncey Billups in his first go-around as an NBA head coach after being with a Clippers squad that went to the West Finals falling to the Suns in six games. He replaced Terry Stotts, who was fired after the 2020-21 season after nine seasons as team’s head coach.

How rough of a season was it for Coach Billups, the Trail Blazers had an 11-game losing streak (Mar. 23-Apr 10). A seven-game losing streak (Dec. 2-21, 2021). Two six-game losing streaks (Jan. 30-Feb. 8, 2022, and Feb. 24-Mar. 12, 2022). Two four-game losing streak (Dec. 21, 2021-Jan. 3, 2022; Feb. 9-16, 2022). Two three-game losing streaks (Oct. 31, 2021-Nov. 5, 2021, and Nov. 24-30, 2021). Three two-game losing streaks (Nov. 9-12, 2021; Jan. 5-9, 2022; and Jan. 25-28, 2022).

They were 11-41 in games decided by 10 points or more, which included 21 losses for the Trail Blazers that came by 20 points or more. That also included an NBA single-season record of 15 defeats by 30 points or more.

The Trail Blazers season was a result of mainly injuries to key personnel on the roster.

Six-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection Damian Lillard played in a career-low 29 games a season ago missing the final 47 games and 53 games in total following abdominal surgery, which had been an issue for the 2013 Kia Rookie of the Year the last four seasons.

Even when Lillard, who was named to the league’s 75^th Anniversary team a season ago, he did not play to his usual high level averaging career lows of 24 points, his lowest since registering 20.7 points in 2013-14, his second season in the NBA. Lillard also set career-lows with 40.2 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from three-point range (92/284 3-Pt.).

In total, the Trail Blazers totaled 326 games missed because of injury and illness a season ago.

They also had to deal with the ouster of GM since 2012 and President of Basketball Operations since 2015 Neil Olshey, who was canned in early December after the outside law first O’Melveny & Myers, hired in November 2021, investigation found that the 56-year-old Olshey violated the organization’s code of conduct stemming from allegations of misconduct.

The Trail Blazers promoted Director of Player Personnel Joe Cronin to interim GM, which he is currently. Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President Dewayne Haskins took over as the Trail Blazers new Team President of Business Operations after CEO Chris McGowan stepped down in November 2021.

The injuries also prompted the Trail Blazers to tear down some of the foundational parts of the roster in the lead up to the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline a season ago.

They traded forward Robert Covington and forward/guard Norman Powell to the Clippers in exchange for guard Eric Bledsoe; forward/guard Justise Winslow (5.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, in 48 games w/Clippers & Trail Blazers); guard Keon Johnson (7.2 ppg, in 37 games with the Clippers & Trail Blazers) and a 2025 Second Round pick (via Pistons).

They longtime starting backcourt of Lillard and CJ McCollum, the staple of the Trail Blazers since 2015-16 when on Feb. 8 McCollum was dealt to the Pelicans along with forward/center Larry Nance, Jr., and forward/guard Tony Snell in exchange for forward/guard Josh Hart (14.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 50.4 FG% in 54 games with the Pelicans & Trail Blazers), guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, guard Tomas Satoransky, and forward Didi Louzada.

The Trail Blazers also acquired a protected 2022 First Round pick; 2026 Second Round pick (whichever is the best between the Pelicans and Trail Blazers); and 2027 Second Round pick (whichever is the better one between the Pelicans and Trail Blazers). 

CJ McCollum                         Career Numbers               Trail Blazers Ranks
9-Year Career With              564 Games Played                          9th
Trail Blazers                         10,710 Points Scored                       5^th
                                               4,110 Made Field Goals                  4^th
                                               1,297 Made Threes                          2^nd

In a three-team deal with the Jazz and Spurs, the Trail Blazers acquired the expiring contract of Jazz guard Joe Ingles along with forward/guard Elijah Hughes and a Second- Round pick. They dealt Alexander-Walker to the Jazz and sent Satoransky to the Spurs.

Ingles did not play in any of the 25 games that he was on the Trail Blazers roster recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee sustained in the Jazz’s 126-106 loss Jan. 30 at the Timberwolves. Bledsoe was out all 29 games with the team recovering from left Achilles tendinopathy. Winslow missed a total of 17 games with the Trail Blazer due to sore right Achilles (missed 7 straight games Feb. 27-Mar. 14, 2022) and left calf inflammation (missed final 10 games of 2021-22).

Hart did play and he made a real good first impression on Coach Billups and the Trail Blazers continuing his career-season with averages of 19.9 points and 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 50.3 percent from the floor and 37.3 percent on his triples (31/38 3-Pt.).

In his first four NBA seasons, the No. 30 overall pick out of Villanova University registered 14 career games scoring 20 points or more. Counting his six such games with the Pelicans, Hart totaled 22 20-plus point performances in 2021-22, with 16 such games with the Trail Blazers. After posting just one game of 30-plus points his first four NBA seasons, Hart totaled two such games a season ago with the Trail Blazers.

Hart in the Trail Blazers 127-118 victory on Mar. 12 versus the Wizards, Hart had a career-high of 44 points with eight rebounds, and six assists on 15/21 from the field, including 6/9 from three-point range. In the team’s 122-113 loss at the Hawks Mar. 14, Hart had 31 points with seven boards on 11/21 shooting and 4/7 from three.

Hart missed the final 12 games of 2021-22 with the Trail Blazers left patella tendinopathy in his knee.  

If there was any silver lining in what ended up being a tough season for the Trail Blazers is Coach Billups got the opportunity to play a lot of people and see what he had.

What he found out is the replacement for McCollum in Anfernee Simons (17.3 ppg, 3.9 apg, 44.3 FG%, 40.5 3-Pt.%) has serious potential.

After averaging 7.5 points and 1.3 assists on 41 percent from the field and 38 percent on his triple tries (205/537 3-Pt.) his first three seasons, Simons, the No. 24 overall pick out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL set career-highs across the board, including in made total threes at 179 (179/442 3-Pt.); recorded two of his three career double-doubles.

In the first 29 games of last season, Simons averaged 11.9 points on 42 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range (Oct. 20, 2021-Dec. 31, 2021), registering three games of 20 points or more.

The final 27 games that Simons played in 2021-22 before missing the final 19 games with left patella tendinopathy, and missed 25 total games in 2021-22, Simons averaged 23.4 points and 5.8 assists per contest on 45 percent from the floor and 42 percent from three-point range, registering 11 games of at least 25 points and seven of his eight career 30-plus point games.

After registering just four total games with 20 points or more, his first three NBA seasons, Simons registered 19 games with 20 or more points

In the Trail Blazers 136-131 victory Jan. 3 versus the Hawks, Simons went toe-to-toe with All-Star guard Trae Young and held his own with a career-high of 43 points with seven assists on 13/21 from the field, including 9/16 from three-point range and 8/8 at the foul line.

When the Trail Blazers took down the Nets at home 114-108 on Jan. 10, Simons had a double-double of 23 points and 11 assists with six rebounds on 10/24 shooting.

Simons made nine triples again scoring 38 points on 11/25 shooting and 9/17 from three (7/7 FTs) in the Trail Blazers 135-121 loss at the Timberwolves.

When center Jusuf Nurkic came over to the Trail Blazers in a trade from the Nuggets in 2018, he has had moments where he has been a dominant force in the paint on both ends for the Trail Blazers. He has also had moments where he has let his frustrations with foul calls rattle his concentration. On top of that he has battled injuries like the serious right leg injury sustained late in the 2018-19 season that ultimately cost the Trail Blazers in their run to possibly representing the West in The Finals that season.

Last season though, Nurkic (15.0 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 53.5 FG%), had a solid season, registering the second most double-doubles of his career with 30, which included his second most games of at least 20/10 (point/rebound) a season ago with 10 (had 15 such games in 2018-19).

In the first 32 games of last season, the center affectionately known as the “Bosnian Beast” from Oct. 20,2021 to Dec. 21, 2021, posted averages of 13.3 points and 9.9 rebounds on 57 percent shooting.

In his final 24 games played last season, Nurkic averaged 17.4 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 50 percent from the field.

Nurkic strung together the best stretch of his career from the middle of January to the close of it where he registered seven double-doubles in the final 10 games of that month, which included six straight double-doubles, a career-high.

                                Jusuf Nurkic From Jan. 15-25, 2022                                      
                                                                                                                   Result     
Jan. 15 vs. Wizards:              23 points, 14 rebounds                        115-110 Win
Jan. 17 at Magic:                   21 Points, 22 Rebounds, 4 Steals        98-88 Win
Jan. 19 at Heat:                     18 Points, 14 Rebounds                      104-92 Loss
Jan. 21 at Celtics:                  29 Points, 17 Rebounds, 6 Assists      109-105 Win
Jan. 23 at Raptors:               11 Points, 11 Rebounds, 2 Blocks      114-105 Win
Jan. 25 vs. Timberwolves:    20 Points, 14 Rebounds                     109-107 Loss

Left foot plantar fasciitis cut Nurkic’s 2021-22 short as he missed final 23 games and missed 26 games in total last season.

Taking Nurkic’s place in the pivot was former Oregon State Beaver Drew Eubanks, who was dealt from the Spurs to the Raptors for now Bulls guard All-Star guard Goran Dragic at the Feb. 10 trade deadline and subsequently waived.

Eubanks (7.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 59.6 FG% in 71 games w/Spurs & Trail Blazers) signed a 10-day contract on Feb. 22 with the Trail Blazers and two more 10-day deals (Mar. 4 and 24) and was eventually signed the remainder of last season on Apr. 3.

In his 22 games (all starts) for the Trail Blazers, Eubanks set personal best of 14.5 points, and 8.5 rebounds on 64.6 percent from the field, registering six of his seven double-doubles in 2021-22. He had three total double-doubles in his three-plus seasons with the Spurs prior to last season (all in 2020-21). That production came because of more minutes where Eubanks averaged 29.5 minutes in his 22 games with the Trail Blazers after averaging under 15 minutes off the bench with the Spurs.

Eubank’s production         March: 15.0 Points, 9.1 Rebounds, 66.4 FG%
by Month with Blazers      April:    15.6 Points, 7.0 Rebounds, 66.0 FG%

Eubanks registered four of his five career 20-plus point games with the Trail Blazers including a career-high of 27 points with 14 rebounds, three steals and two blocks on 12/14 from the field in the team’s 134-131 overtime loss Mar. 28 versus the Thunder.

In a seven-games stretch from Mar. 12-23, Eubanks averaged 16.1 points and 8.9 boards on 65 percent from the field in 31.6 minutes.

Two other Trail Blazers that saw major minutes a season ago were Nassir Little (9.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 46.0 FG% in 42 games).

Little, the No. 25 overall pick out of the University of North Carolina in 2019 played in the first 21 games of 2021-22 and averaged about 15 minutes in those games. He was slowed by an ankle injury and illness before Christmas 2021. When he returned to action, he put together the best stretch of his three-year career registering from December 2021 to the end of January 11.2 points and 5.9 boards on 45 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range (27/74 3-Pt.).

                           Nassir Little’s Top Games In January                                       
                                                                                                                 Result       
12/27/2021 vs. Mavericks: 20 Pts, 10 Rebs, 3 Blks, 2 Stls              132-117 Loss
1/3/2022 vs. Hawks: 22 Pts, 9 Rebs, 8/14 FGs: 4/5 3-Pt.                136-131 Win
1/25/2022 vs. Timberwolves: 20 Pts, 8 Rebs, 7/11 FGs: 4/6 3-Pt. 109-107 Loss

Little’s season ended with him on the shelf the final 35 games with a labral tear in his left shoulder sustained in the fourth quarter of the Trail Blazers’ loss Jan. 25 versus the Timberwolves.

After not seeing action in all but one of the Trail Blazers first 23 games of 2021-22, undrafted rookie Trendon Watford (7.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 53.2 FG%) began getting consistent minutes from late December 2021 to the end of last season. He appeared in 20 straight games beginning in January to late March.

He really came on in March averaging 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds on 50 percent shooting, scoring in double figures in 12 out of his final 13 games of 2021-22.  

Watford had his first career double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds in the Trail Blazers 135-121 loss Mar. 5 at the Timberwolves. He had his second career double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds with five assists and two steals in the Trail Blazers’ 115-98 loss versus the Rockets on Mar. 26.

March also is where Watford registered his best scoring game as a pro with 27 points and six boards on 11/16 shooting in the team’s 127-118 triumph versus the Wizards. He had 22 points with nine rebounds and four blocks in the Trail Blazers 122-113 setback at the Hawks on Mar. 14.

Watford’s efforts to close 2021-22 had his two-way contract converted into a multi-year deal, which includes his salary being guaranteed for this upcoming season and two non-guaranteed years after that.

The former LSU Tigers missed the final nine games of last season though due to a bone bruise in his left knee sustained in the fourth quarter in the aforementioned loss versus the Rockets in late March.

When you are a team that is mired in mediocrity you have two options. Completely tear down the foundation of the roster and rebuild it from scratch or do some patch work and hope things get better. Cronin and the Trail Blazers chose the latter with the belief they have a star player in Lillard that can get them to the promise land.

On July 8, the Trail Blazers and Lillard agreed on a two-year, $122 million extension, that includes a player option for the 2026-27 season. 

“I don’t think you earn something like this just by going out there and scoring a bunch of points,” Lillard said about his extension in late July. “Something that’s missing in our league is character, and the fight and the passion and pride about, you know, not just the name on the back, but the name on the front, and how you impact the people that you come in contact with.”  

Lillard under his   2022-23 Salary: $42.5 million 2024-25 Salary: $48.8 million
current deal           2023-24 Salary: $45.6 million

If the salary cap is adjusted pending the new television deal for the NBA, Lillard’s extension could be adjusted from the $58.5 million salary he is expected to make in 2025-26 and his 2026-27 salary, which is a player option year could be worth $63.3 million. Though Lillard’s 2025-26 salary cannot exceed 35 percent of the salary cap.

The Trail Blazers did not have to extend Lillard because he nowhere near approaching free agency and when that $63.3 million player option is on the table, Lillard will be age 36.

Whether Cronin and the Trail Blazers ignored all possible trade packages of young players and First-Round picks for Lillard, which he would have fetched plenty of or there was too much of an emotional connection that either one side of Lillard or both sides did not want to put a divorce on the table.

On top of that, Lillard, who as mentioned played just 29 games last season is anxious to get back on the floor and has real perspective on dealing with the first major injury that sidelined him for a lengthy period of time a season ago.

“The opportunity to be at home and be with my family and just focus on myself, personally and focus on getting healthy and just building myself back without the responsibility of performing. Of worrying about winning losing and things like that,” Lillard said at Media Day on Sept. 26 about being out last season. “I just think it recharged me. It allowed me to get to a place where I come back into this season where I’m just I would say calm. You know, at peace, excited to play again.”

Before extending Lillard, the Trail Blazers got really busy to shape this back into one that can position itself to get back to the postseason.

That began in the 2022 NBA Draft where with the No. 7 overall pick selected guard Shaedon Sharpe out of the University of Kentucky and London, Ontario Canada.

Last season, Sharpe, 19 was at Kentucky but he only practiced with the Wildcats after speculation that he would play and then enter the 2022 NBA Draft. Sharpe graduated early from high school with the intent of redshirting his first season at Kentucky and play in 2022-23 for head coach John Calipari. 

Sharpe high school was one full of movement going from H.H. Beal Secondary School in his hometown of London, Ontario, where he led his team to an appearance in Ontario Federations of School Athletic Association. He then moved on to Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, KS for his sophomore year. He spent his junior year at Dream City Christian School in Glendale, AZ, where he assumed a prominent role on that school’s basketball team, where he averaged 21.4 points and six rebounds.

Sharpe, who was a No. 1 recruit in the 2022 ESPN 100 before enrolling at Kentucky mid-season thanks to his success at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League in 2021, where he averaged 22.6 points and 5.8 rebounds.

The 6-foot-5 guard brings some major tools to the table from a 7-foot wingspan. Can create his own shot; is very strong and has fluidity to his game.

The lack of tape from not competing in college and the fact that the Trail Blazers are loaded at the wing position and that they are really not in rebuilding mode it is hard to see Sharpe getting any real consistent minutes. That said if there was any place where he can go and develop at his own pace while learning the right way to be a pro it is with the Trail Blazers.

He is also suffered a small labral tear in his shoulder injury during Summer League play in Las Vegas on July 7 that did not require surgery.

Sharpe at Media Day said that he has done some rehab and “feels pretty good.” He also said that he has been playing one-on-one.

“I feel like I can play at this level. Just me competing with those guys, it shows in practice and everything,” Sharpe said about competing with his teammates with the Trail Blazers so far.

In upgrading the front court, the Trail Blazers in a Draft night trade with the Pistons that became official on July 6 acquired forward Jerami Grant (19.2 ppg, 35.8 3-Pt.) in 47 games w/Pistons) in exchange for the draft rights to forward/guard Gabriele Porcida (No. 46 overall pick) from Italy along with a 2025 First Round pick (via Bucks); a pick swap of 2022 Second Round picks 2025 Second Round pick; 2026 Second Round pick.

Grant has the kind of skill set that fits today’s NBA. The versatility to play either small forward and power forward and at times shooting guard. He is very long and athletic with solid defensive instincts to guard multiple positions and is a fairly good three-point shooter, making 91 threes a season ago with Pistons (91/254 3-Pt.) and has made 115 threes total in two of his previous three seasons (115/293 3-Pt. 2018-19 w/Thunder; 115/329 3-Pt. 2020-21 w/Pistons).

Grant and the Trail Blazers had been linked to each other the past couple of off-seasons and now they have been paired together this offseason. 

“Definitely been excited to be here. Excited to be a part of the team. Obviously, be able to play with Dame [Lillard], Nurk [Nurkic] bunch of other great players here,” Grant said at Media Day. “It’s been in the talks and stuff like that. But you just want to focus on where you’re at, at the time. You try not to think about it too much. But excited to be here.”

The key for Grant, who is the son of former Trail Blazers forward/guard Harvey Grant, who played for the team from 1993-96 and the uncle of Harvey’s twin brother of four-time NBA champion with Bulls (1991-93) and Lakers (2000-01) Horace Grant is to stay healthy.

Last season with the Pistons, Grant missed 24 straight games (Dec. 10, 2021-Feb. 2, 2022) with a torn ligament in his left thumb. He missed the close of 2021-22 with a calf strain.

Grant also said at Media Day that he has been in many different stages in his career. In his first six seasons with 76ers (2014-17) and with the Thunder (2016-19) he was a role player that was asked to play a role. In his final season with the Thunder and lone one with the Nuggets when they made it to the 2020 West Finals in the restart in Orlando, FL, Grant was given more responsibility, which he thrived and the previously mentioned last two seasons with the Pistons was asked to be a top offensive option as well as be versatile, which he displayed with averages of 20.9 points on 35.3 percent on his threes the last two seasons in the “Motor City.”

“I think me being in Detroit helped me grow a lot as a player, as a leader, and I do intend to bring that over here,” Grant said. “Obviously changing my role on this team. But still bringing the same mentality, same energy, the same attention to detail to here.”

Cronin showed last season he is not afraid to pull the trigger on dealing McCollum in the late part of last winter and brought in two solid rotation players in Hart and Winslow. He made another key addition with the signing of Gary Payton II (7.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 61.6 FG%, 35.8 3-Pt.% w/Warriors) on a three-year, $28 million deal. 

Just a season ago, the son of Hall of Famer and perennial All-Star Gary Payton was a player on the bubble of making the Warriors roster. He wound up being a major part of their playing rotation as a big-time perimeter defender and solid offensive contributor to their fourth title a season ago.

This is a homecoming for the former Oregon State Beaver who should command major minutes off the bench at both guard spots.

        Trail Blazers Defensive Numbers & NBA Ranks From 2021-22                
47.9 opp. FG%: 27^th NBA                14.3 opp. fastbreak points: 27^th
37.1 opp. 3-Pt.%: 28^th NBA             -1.8 rebounding differential: 22^nd NBA
13.8 opp. made threes: 28^th NBA    8.0 steals per game: 8^th NBA
13.3 opp. turnovers: 11th NBA        16.6 pts off turnovers: 10^th NBA 

“We just have to be aggressive on defensive end,” Payton II said about how the Trail Blazers can improve defensively this season. “We’ve got a lot of young guys that can go long periods of time and if we can get them mentally defensively minded, I think we’ll put a lot of pieces together. We’ve got Josh Hart, Jerami, Justise. So, we’ve got to a lot of strong, smart defenders here that can help with the young guys.”  

Payton II however will miss the start of 2022-23 season as he recovers from a procedure done this offseason on a core muscle injury. He will be re-evaluated in 1-2.

Payton II said he can do “pretty much everything.” It is just about making sure everything is intact so he can be full go once he gets back.

Hart has shown so far in his career first with the Lakers (2017-19) then with the Pelicans (2019-22) and with the Trail Blazers he can score and defend on the perimeter. That will have to continue this season, whether as a starter or off the bench.

“I think we have really good potential,” Hart said of the Trail Blazers coming into this season. “We just have to go out there and play basketball like we know how to play.”

As far as starting, Hart said he “would like to start.” That he has shown he can start during his NBA career so far. That he can “be a piece to a winning team.” That decision he said is up to Coach Billups and the coaching staff.

“I think if anyone says no, they’re foolish or lying,” Hart said about wanting to be a starter. “As a player, you’re going to have to accept that decision whether it’s something you like or not and make the best of it.”

Along with extending Lillard, the Trail Blazers re-signed Simons on a 4-year, $100 million deal officially on July 6. They also on that date agreed on a new four-year, $70 million deal with Nurkic. One day later, they re-signed Eubanks to a one-year, $1.8 million deal. Right before the start of this season, the Trail Blazers signed Little to a contract extension of four years at $28 million.  

Someone that Hart might possibly backup is Simons, who last season with all the injuries flourished to the point that became comfortable playing the role as the go-to scorer. He now has to find a comfortable level consistently playing alongside Lillard again as well as going into the game understanding that he along with Lillard are priority No. 1 and 1A on the opposing team’s scouting report.

“I’m just going out there playing like I usually play like I played at the end of the year last year. Playing the game, the same way I did play,” Simons said when asked by Mike Richmond of “Locked on Blazers Podcast” on the pressure of performing under his new contract.

“I really don’t worry about how much I’m making or anything like that. It just going out there and being the best player, you know, I can be and that’s all I can ask for. Just putting forward that effort.”

When Nurkic has been healthy, he has proven to be a major force as mentioned in the paint on both ends. It just now comes down to him having he mental focus to dominate game-in and game-out. How well he plays can make things easier for his teammates, especially on the perimeter where they will not have all the pressure to score.

What has really helped Nurkic a season ago is having Coach Billups who has held everyone accountable to play their role and never going outside of it. If there was an issue at that moment under Coach Billups, it gets addressed immediately.

Nurkic at Media Day said that the run the Trail Blazers had in January everyone one team was “clicking and happy” with the roles they had.

“And I hope and believe, and we all will work for ‘Dame,’” Nurkic said about the team rallying around Lillard’s return this season. “I hope we can do all for him to succeed and easy job.”

The Trail Blazers also extended Little at the start of this week on a four-year, $28 million deal.

Last season the Trail Blazers ranked No. 24 in bench points per game. With the bench consisting of Hart possibly, Payton II, Little, Eubanks, Watford, Little and Winslow, they should be better. It all comes down to them being healthy and ready to contribute when their number is called.

“I know I’m in the position where I’ve constantly got to prove myself every. But I’m just happy to be back,” Eubanks said.

Winslow said on the team’s depth this season gives the Trail Blazers a lot of “versatility.” That they have a roster with players that “hang their hat on the defensive end.”

“I don’t think defense is going to be the problem with those units. Maybe offense more so. But we've got a good amount of guys who can guard 1-4 and do it at a high level,” Winslow said. “So, I think we’re going to be able to use that to our benefit and get after it on the defensive side.”

Three years ago, the Portland Trail Blazers were in the Western Conference Finals. They lost in a four-game sweep to the eventual Western Conference champion Warriors, who were without now Nets two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant and Lillard outplayed now four-time NBA champion and reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry.

Before last season, the Trail Blazers made the Playoffs eight straight seasons before they missed out on the postseason in 2021-22. 

The Trail Blazers will be better in 2022-23. They have their perennial All-Star back in Damian Lillard. The supporting cast he had is back in Anfernee Simons, and Jusuf Nurkic. They additions of Jerami Grant coupled with the additions via trade last season in Josh Hart and Justise Winslow should improve the bench. Having youngsters Nassir Little, Drew Eubanks, Trendon Watford, Keyon Johnson Shaedon Sharpe should make Blazers’ nation comfortable about the long-term future.

GM Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups put in a lot of work this offseason to make the Trail Blazers a competitive team again. The question is will it be enough in a stacked Western Conference to get back to the postseason after a one-year absence?

“I feel like we have a very talented, competitive, athletic, skilled group that is going to compete every night and be really fun to watch on a nightly basis,” Cronin said at Media Day. 

Coach Billups at Media Day said about last season and the roster construction this season, “I think we all understand how tough last year was.”

“I’m happy where everything’s at. The synergy between Joe and I, and how we trying to put this team together has been beautiful.”

“So, there’s a lot of things that’ll be different. A lot of things that’ll be new and I know I’m very, very excited to get going. And I’m glad the roster has shaping up how it is.”  

Best Case Scenario: Trail Blazers make the Playoffs between Seeds No. 5 or 6. Lillard returns to All-Star form. Simons is in the conversation for his first All-Star selection. The Trail Blazers become a Top 15 defensive team and a Top 10 rebounding team. They are one of the Top 10 scoring benches in the NBA.  

Worst Case Scenario: Trail Blazers have to make the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament. They battle injuries again. The defense does not improve. They fall in the First-Round of the Playoffs for the fifth time in the last seven seasons

Grade: D-

Sacramento Kings: 30-52 (5^th Pacific Division; missed the playoffs) 16-25 at home, 14-27 on the road.

-110.3 ppg-16^th; opp. ppg: 115.8-29^th; 42.9 rpg-26^th

The Sacramento Kings the last 16 seasons have been one simple word, unstable. Have cycled through 11 different coaches the last 16 seasons. Had many high lottery picks that flopped. Signed free agents that simply put were bust. Have also been one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA during this stretch. That is how they have registered longest Playoff drought in NBA history. With the most highly anticipated draft selection in recent team history, a new head coach that comes from a winning tradition that believes in defense and a cast of still young but talented players the goal for Kings in 2022-23 is to make the Playoffs and end the longest Playoff drought in NBA history.

Those dreams of ending their long postseason hiatus at 15 seasons were put in the rearview mirror quickly after a 6-11, which included an 1-8 mark previous nine games that had a four-game losing streak (Nov. 7-15 2021) and were at the time on a three-game skid that turned into a four-game skid. That led to the ouster of head coach Luke Walton on Nov. 21, 2021, who went 37-52 in his 1-plus season in the capital city of California. He was replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Alvin Gentry. Things did not get any better under Gentry’s watch as the Kings went 24-41 the final 65 games of 2021-22.

                Longest Current Playoff Droughts NBA History                     
Sacramento Kings                 16 Seasons     2007-present
Los Angeles Clippers            15 Seasons     1977-1992
Minnesota Timberwolves     13 Seasons     2005-2018
Golden State Warriors         12 Seasons     1995-2007
Baltimore Bullets                  11 Seasons     1954-1965
Dallas Mavericks                  10 Seasons     1991-2001
Phoenix Suns                        10 Seasons     2011-2021

            Longest Active Playoff Droughts In NBA                         
Sacramento Kings               16 Seasons    Since 2007
Charlotte Hornets                 6 Seasons     Since 2017
Cleveland Cavaliers              4 Seasons     Since 2019
San Antonio Spurs                3 Seasons     Since 2020
Detroit Pistons                       3 Seasons     Since 2020
Houston Rockets                   2 Seasons     Since 2021
Oklahoma City Thunder     2 Seasons      Since 2021
Indiana Pacers                      2 Seasons      Since 2021
Orlando Magic                      2 Seasons     Since 2021

Three big reasons for the Kings having another season of over 40 losses, another head coaching change and an eventual trip to the NBA Draft Lottery is inefficient offense, poor defense, and injuries.

While they ranked No. 5 in the league in free throw attempts at 23.3 and were No. 9 in paint points per game in 2021-22, the Kings were only No. 18 on free throw percentage at 76.8 percent. They were No. 20 in field goal percentage at 46.0 percent; 24^th in three-point percentage at 34.4 percent; 21^st in threes attempted 33.2; 25^th in three made per game at 11.4; 19^th in fastbreak points at 11.7; 15^th in second chance points at 13.1 and 14^th in points off turnovers at 16.3.

In the 21 games they scored 120 or more a season ago, the Kings went 15-6, including 5-3 whey scored 130 or more, and 3-0 when they scored 140 or more.

For the many times the Kings lit up the scoreboard, they also allowed the opponent to ignite their own offensive fireworks which not a fun site to see if you are a Kings fan.

Opponents shot 47.9 percent a season ago against the Kings (28^th NBA). They ranked No. 29 in opponent’s field goal percentage (47.9%). Were No. 29 in opponent's three-point percentage (37.2%). Ranked No. 27 in rebound differential at -2.8; No. 19 in block shots at 4.5; and No. 20 in steals at 7.2

Kings when they allowed 110 points or more went 22-36 in 20220, including 4-20 when they gave up 120 or more and 2-4 when they allowed 130 points or more.

The Kings on Jan. 25 lost at the Celtics 128-75 for their fourth worst margin of defeat in a game in franchise history.

Worst Margins of Defeat By 40-Plus Points In Kings History                
62 Points: 153-91 Nov. 2, 1991 at Warriors
58 Points: 140-82 Dec. 15, 1985 at Bucks
55 Points: 140-85 Apr. 17, 1989 at Suns
53 Points: 128-75 Jan. 25 2022 at Celtics
49 Points: 154-105 Apr. 28, 2021 vs. Jazz
48 Points: 129-81 Feb. 2, 2009 at Suns
47 Points: 129-82 Feb. 22, 1991 at Bulls
46 Points: 126-80 Nov. 15, 2017 at Hawks
45 Points: 108-63 Dec. 28, 2008 versus Celtics
44 Points: 144-100 Feb. 18, 1973 as Kansas City/Omaha Kings at Pistons
                  146-102 Feb. 6, 1968 as Cincinnati Royals at Lakers
43 Points: 135-92 Feb. 6, 1970 as Cincinnati Royals vs. Knicks
                  151-108 Mar. 3, 1965 as Cincinnati Royals at Baltimore Bullets
42 Points: 109-67 Jan. 10, 1998 at Spurs
                  130-88 Jan. 25, 1995 at Jazz
                  101-59 Jan. 10, 1991 at Hornets
41 Points: 141-100 Nov. 27, 1991 at Suns
40 Points: six times

The Kings setback at the Celtics was part of five consecutive games where they allowed 60 points in the opening half. It was also one of their nine 20-plus point losses in 2021-22, that included four losses by 30 points or more.

The other factor in the Kings failing to make the postseason is injuries to key personnel of the roster.

Lead guard De’Aaron Fox (23.2 ppg, 5.6 apg, 47.3 FG%: career-high) missed 23 games in 2021-22 due to virus protocols (four missed games Dec. 17-26, 2021), left ankle soreness (eight missed games Jan. 22-Feb. 8) and right-hand soreness that kept him out the final 11 games of 2021-22. 

Starting center Richaun Holmes (10.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 66.0 FG%: career-high) missed 37 games in total with illness; right eye injury (missed seven straight games from Dec. 10-22, 2021); virus protocols (missed seven straight games Jan. 2-16); back soreness (missed five straight games from Feb. 24-Mar. 3); and personal reasons missed the final 11 games of 2021-22.

Terence Davis (10.4 ppg), who was acquired from the Raptors on Mar. 25, 2021, missed a total of 52 games, including the final 33 with following wrist on his right wrist.

With losses piling up like trash at a dump, the Kings looking to turn things around. In a four-team deal with the Bucks, Clippers and Pistons, the Kings sent one of its many First Round picks, this one being forward Marvin Bagley III to the Pistons; the draft rights to Vanja Marinkovic (No. 60 overall pick 2019) to Clippers and a Second-Round pick to the Bucks.

The Kings in return received back guard Donte DiVincenzo from the Bucks and forward Trey Lyles (10.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 46.6 FG% w/Pistons & Kings) and forward/guard Josh Jackson from the Pistons and the draft right to guard David Michineau (No. 39 overall pick 2016 by Pelicans) from Clippers.  

In the surprise deal of all deals at the February, the Kings traded promising second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton along with sharp-shooter Buddy Hield and veteran center Tristan Thompson to the Pacers and received in return two-time All-Star forward/center Domantas Sabonis (18.9 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 5.8 apg, 54.4 FG% in 62 games w/Pacers & Kings), forward/guard Justin Holiday, and a 2027 Second Round pick.

Sabonis after averaging 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds and five assists on 58 percent from the field in 34 games with Pacers kept those numbers steady with the Kings averaging 18.9 ppg, 12.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 12 games.

Sabonis missed eight games for the Pacers with a sore left calf, sprained left ankle (missed four games from Jan. 202-28). With the Kings, Sabonis missed a total of 11 games, including the final nine games of 2021-22 with left knee contusion.

The Kings with another lost season were very busy this offseason. But unlike past off-seasons, GM Monte McNair and Governor Vivek Ranadive made moves that for the first time in a long time.

They parted ways with Gentry, the franchise’s 11 coach since the eight-year run of Rick Adelman (1998-06) making the postseason, the longest in Kings history. That list includes now Arkansas Men’s Basketball Coach Eric Musselman (2006-07); former Kings player and now head coach of the Bethune Cookman Wildcats Reggie Theus (2007-08); Kenny Natt (58 games in 2008-09); the late Paul Westphal (2009-12); current assistant coach at Arkansas Keith Smart (2012-13); current Nuggets head coach Michael Malone (2013-14); former Kings player (1999-00) Tyrone Corbin (for 28 games 2014-15); George Karl (2015-16); current assistant coach with 76ers Dave Joerger (2016-19); Walton (2019-21); and Gentry (41 games in 2021-22).

On May 9, the Kings hired veteran coach Mike Brown as the 31^st head coach in franchise history, their 12^th head coach since 2006.

Counting Coach Joerger, Coach Karl, Coach Gentry, and late Coach Westphal, Coach Brown is the Kings’ fifth coaching hire out of the 12 most recent people that have been a team’s leader on the sidelines before that have won 50-plus games in a season. That have coached and had a strong connection with their star player(s).  

Even though Brown has been fired from his three previous gigs as a head coach with the Cavaliers (2005-10; 2013-14) and Lakers (2011-12), he brings championship experience after spending the last six seasons on Steve Kerr’s staff that has won four titles in the last eight seasons. Brown is also a coach that believes defense wins championships.

The other attribute the 2009 Kia Coach of the Year is his ability to connect not just with the star players like LeBron James in his time with the Cavaliers. He coached LeBron James for five seasons with the Cavaliers (2005-10), reaching The Finals in 2007, where they fell to the Spurs in a four-game sweep.

“I’m excited about this team,” Brown said at his introductory presser as the Kings’ new head coach. “But one of the main reasons that I was brought here was to bring some leadership in a lot of different areas. I’ve been with a lot of different teams in my 30 years and I’ve experienced what I believe is something that can get organizations over the top. Not just in one year but year-in and year-out. And that’s having a winning culture. So, my job is to lead in that area.”

“Every organization out there in my opinion has a soul. And the stronger that soul is, the better that organization will be.”

While Brown made the Playoffs in his first season in coaching the late Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant in 2011-12, lost in the West Semis in five games to the eventual Western Conference champion Thunder. Brown only lasted five games in 2012-13, the third fastest dismissal of a head coach in NBA history.

Brown returned for a second stint with the Cavaliers in Apr. 2013. Injuries and reported infighting amongst the players were one the reasons Coach Brown for the first time in his career posted a losing record in his coaching career and was first for a second time by Governor Dan Gilbert in the middle of May 2014.

Brown has spent the past six seasons as previously mentioned with the now defending NBA champions, taking over ironically enough for Walton, who departed to be the head coach of Lakers. Brown served as acting head coach during periods that Coach Kerr was on the mend due to chronic back pain. In Kerr’s absence at the start of the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the Warriors began 12-0 under Brown and went on to win the title taking down James and the Cavaliers 4-1. 

Brown was the acting head coach for Game 4 of the 2022 West Semis against the Grizzlies after Coach Kerr tested positive for COVID-19. The Warriors won to take a 3-1 series lead and would go on to defeat the Eastern Conference champion Celtics in 2022 Finals in 2022 Finals to win their fourth title in the last eight seasons and their seventh title in franchise history.

With the focus on reshaping the roster, the Kings in the 2022 NBA Draft selected at No. 4 overall forward Keegan Murray (23.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 40 3-Pt. w/Hawkeyes) out of University of Iowa.

In a Draft night deal with the Mavericks, the Kings acquired a 2024 and 2028 Second Round picks in exchange for the draft rights to guard Jaden Hardy (No. 37 overall pick) from the NBA G League Ignite.

For a team that needs players that bring a steadiness and consistency to the table day-in and day-out, they found that in Murray who improved greatly from his freshmen year to his sophomore year with the Hawkeyes.

The 2021-22 Consensus First Team All-American, who became the highest drafted player in the Common Draft Era (1966) and is the first Hawkeye to be drafted since Ricky Davis in 1998 improved his scoring by a +16.3 points per contest from 7.2 in 2020-21 to 23.5 in 2021-22, the largest by a Big Ten player in the last 25 seasons.

“A winner first and foremost,” Murray said on Draft night to ESPN’s Monica McNutt on what the Kings are getting from him entering their program. “I’m very versatile. I hit a late growth spurt. So, I got a lot of room to grow in my game and I’m excited to get to that.”  

Murray really impressed during in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League play with his two-way ability and versatility on both ends. He can score at all three levels. Has a tremendous basketball IQ. Solid ball handler with the ability to change speeds and is a solid driver with either hand.

The biggest thing Murray displayed in Vegas as well as the California classic earlier in this summer is a maturity, selflessness, calm, and solid work ethic that the Kings have not always had by many of their previous lottery picks.

“Honestly, I felt like I’ve did a lot of good things in Summer League. But also, things I need to work on. Just being stronger with the ball. Just finding my way. Trying to make the game more simpler than what it is,” Murray said at Media Day on Sept. 26 on what is working on in leading up to his rookie season.

The last player the Kings drafted that earned at least one All-Star selection was DeMarcus Cousins in 2017. The las drafted player not named Cousins to be named an All-Star while with the Kings was former Kings assistant GM and the No. 14 pick in 1996 NBA Draft Peja Stojakovic in 2004.

In hoping to provide some back-court help to Fox, the Kings in a deal with the Hawks acquired swingman Kevin Huerter (12.1 ppg, 45.4 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.% w/Hawks), who made a career-high 160 triples (160/411 3-Pt.). The Kings sent to the Hawks in the deal forward/guard Justin Holiday, forward Maurice Harkless, 2024 (Top 14 lottery protected) First Round pick that becomes Top 12 protected in 2025 and Top 5 protected in 2026. 

Instead of retaining DiVincenzo, who signed in free agency with Warriors or Jackson, who signed with the Raptors, the Kings lured guard Malik Monk (13.8 ppg, 47.3 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.% w/Lakers) away from the Lakers on a two-year, $19 million deal.

Huerter, who averaged 11.4 points on 37.9 percent from three-point range (563/1,484 3-Pt.) in his four seasons with the Hawks gives the Kings a long-range sniper who can create off the dribble.

In his first three NBA seasons, the former Maryland Terp who was selected No. 19 overall by the Hawks in 2018 totaled 16 career 20-point games his first three NBA seasons (2018-21). In 2021-22 Huerter registered 10 20-plus point games.

He is also someone who is used to being a starter, having started 59 times for the Hawks a season ago.

“For us, it’s going to be a long season. It’s a lot easier to be on teams where everybody likes each other. It’s a lot easier to win when everybody likes each other. You can be on the same page,” Huerter, who made the Playoffs with the Hawks the last two seasons said about the Kings’ chemistry in the early part of training camp.

“It’s been a great start so far. There’s been a lot of guys in the gym over the last month or so and guys trickling in. The guys who haven’t been here are people playing overseas and over in Europe. And so, it’s been a good start. I think everybody has the right mindset and knows what we need to do.”

As one of the very few bright spots in a dark clouded 2021-22 in Laker nation, Monk posted career-highs across the board, including making 173 total triples a season ago (173/442 3-Pt.). Monk increased his scoring average for the third straight season.

In an ideal world would reupped with the Lakers without question. But he decided to take his talents to Northern California for a bigger payday and more playing time.

To put into context the kind of scorer Monk was a season ago, he had a total of 25 20-point games in his first four NBA season with the Hornets, who selected Monk No. 11 overall in 2017 Draft out of the University of Kentucky. He registered he registered 22 games scoring 20 or more a season ago. That included a total of two 30-plus point games, equaling what he totaled in last two seasons.

In the Lakers 129-121 loss Jan. 30 at the Hawks, Monk had his second career double-double of 33 points with 10 rebounds and five assists on 12/19 shooting, including 81/4 from three-point range.

He scored a career-high of 41 points on 14/25 shooting and 7/14 from three in the Lakers 146-141 overtime win in their season finale Apr. 10 at Nuggets.

In being reunited with his former teammate at the University of Kentucky in Fox, Monk could average if he earns the minutes 16 to 17 points. It all comes down to what he does at the defensive end under Coach Brown.  

“That was a big reason. Definitely a big reason, for sure,” Monk said at Media Day about coming to the Kings to be reunited with Fox. “Soon as I came out here, we was on the team playing pickup and it was like we didn’t miss a beat. It’s always lovely to get out there and play with my brother like that.”

Monk also said at his introductory presser, that he feels he can be an improved defender off the ball. Always having his head on a swivel. He said that when it comes to defending on the ball because he is “locked in.” Off the ball is where Monk said at Media Day that he feels because of his athleticism that he could get away with gambling defensively. He said that he plans to turn up his focus defensively when he is off the ball.

The Kings also have a couple of members in their front court who can also strike a match from the perimeter as well as bang at times down low are veteran Harrison Barnes (16.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 46.9 FG%, 39.4 3-Pt.%) and Trey Lyles (10.5 ppg, 5. 1 rpg, 46.6 FG% in 75 games w/Pistons & Kings).

In his first five seasons with the Kings, Barnes has seen a lot of change from the roster, coaching staff, front office. The one constant in recent years has been him and his leadership off the floor and ability on the floor to play multiple positions.

Whether he remains with the Kings remains to be seen because he will be an unrestricted free agent at seasons end. For someone who won a title while with the Warriors to kick off their dynasty in 2015 sure wants another crack at winning another title before his career is over.

“I think we have a group of guys who have mix of experience. But for the most part everyone’s young, hungry and has something to prove,” Barnes said at Media Day about his evaluation of the Kings roster heading into this season. “Although I’m the oldest guy, I think its me and Fox are the longest tenured guys…”

“I think we have a lot of people here who are excited about trying to make a statement really for the community of Sacramento.”  

Lyles, who came over as part of the four-team deal that sent Bagley III to the Pistons had a career-year a season ago with both the Pistons and Kings. The No. 12 overall pick in 2015 out of University of Kentucky has shown flashes of brilliance at the start with the Jazz, Nuggets, Spurs, and Pistons prior to being traded to Sacramento. He is one of those guys though that leaves you wanting more. With his size and skill set, he could be a solid tweener forward who can score inside and out. He picked up his player option for this season, which means Lyles is in a contract year. Meaning that it is now or never for him to display that consistency to remain either with the Kings or to hook on to a new team.

“I’m just going to start from the ground up. Working hard, playing hard. Doing the little things and that’s going to open the door for me to do other things as well” Lyles said at Media Day on how he will build off from last season. 

Then there is forward Chimezie Metu (8.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 45.2 FG% in 60 games), who made the most of his minutes last season with the injuries posting career-highs across the board, including six double-doubles. In 20 starts a seasons ago, Metu averaged 10.2 points and 6.9 boards.  

The new additions coupled with the core players like Fox, Sabonis, Barnes, and Holmes, the Kings enter 2021-22 with a lot to prove.

Fox has to prove he can one, stay healthy. Second, prove he can be a consistent shooter and leader of this talented group on both ends.

“Once we hired all the new guys, the communication has been like top notch,” Fox said about how different the communication is throughout the Kings from front office to the players. “Everybody knows exactly what they have going on for the next week. “

“So, it’s something that’s been different with kind of how much attention to detail. No one’s ever really surprised by, you know, what’s going on.”

The No. 5 overall pick out of the University of Kentucky has proven he can score and has speed for day. He has to be judicious on when to use that speed and when to be play at a steady pace.

While he averaged a career-high in overall field goal percentage a season ago, his three-point accuracy took a major dive at 29.7 percent (74/249 3-Pt.). In 2020-21, Fox since registering five games of 20-plus points in his rookie season of 2017-18, he has registered 27, 30, 46 and 37 games of scoring 20 or more. After registering a total of 10 30-plus point games his first two NBA seasons (2018-20), Fox has registered 18 and 12 30-plus point games respectably each of the last two seasons. Last season, he registered two games with 40-plus points.

Fox tied his career-high of 44 points with six assists on 18/31 from the field, including 3/4 from three in the Kings 114-113 loss at the Mavericks Mar. 5. In the Kings 134-125 loss at the Jazz Mar. 12, Fox had one of his five double-doubles on the season with 41 points and 11 assists on 15/32 shooting and 5/11 on his threes.

Fox said at Media Day that “it’s great” to be reunited with Monk, who he talked to pretty much every day ever since being teammates together at Kentucky along with Heat All-Star center Bam Adebayo.

“Just being able to be with him every day now is definitely a great thing,” Fox added about Monk. “Aside from his talent what he does on the court, just being around him, knowing his family, his brother, his mom, there great people to be around.”

Before missing the final 33 games of 2021-22 because of surgery to repair a tendon in his right wrist and shelved for 52 games total, Terence Davis (10.4 ppg in 30 games), who was dealt last season from the Raptors showed he can provide instant offense off the bench as well as a starter, where he averaged 17.6 points on 49.0 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three-point range.

It just comes down to being accurate with his shot and like the rest of the team playing consistent defense if he wants to be a constant in the playing rotation.  

The one major difference with Kings now with Coach Brown in charge is if you want consistent minutes as player, you have to make a serious commitment to the defensive end of the court. One player that has made that his calling card his entire basketball journey is guard Davion Mitchell (11.5 ppg).

The player dubbed “off night” for his ability to shut down guys going back to his college career at Baylor University, Mitchell showed his ability to defend some of the best perimeter players in the league at times as a rookie. It is his shooting of 41.8 percent from the field and 31.6 percent on his triple tries (101/320 3-Pt.) that needs to improve.

With Fox on the mend to close last season as previously mentioned because of injury, Mitchel got major minutes and made the most of them.

Last season, the No. 9 overall pick out of the Baylor University registered 10 20-point games, tied for sixth with Nets Cam Thomas amongst 2021-22 rookie class.

In the first four months of 2021-22 Mitchell had total four 20-point games. From Mar. 20-30, he totaled five consecutive 20-plus point performances.

                        Davion Mitchell By Month Of 2021-22                  
  Month             PPG          APG         FG%          3-Pt.%
Oct. 2021            7.7             3.0           35.2%         21.4%
Nov. 2021           9.4             3.6           37.0%         29.0%  
Dec. 2021          11.2             3.6           47.7%         41.9%
Jan. 2022            9.7             3.1           39.2%         31.7%
Feb. 2022          12.8             3.4          43.4%         33.9% 
Mar. 2022         15.4             4.8          46.6%         33.9%
Apr. 2022          15.0           11.6          40.0%         22.2%

“I think this offseason kind of working on a lot of catching shooting, knowing that De’Aaron can get in the lane against anyone with the best of them,” Mitchell that he worked on this offseason to better fit when he and Fox are on the floor together.

“So, me just catching and shooting makes his life easier for me and I can do the same thing for both because he’s been working hard on his catching and shooting too.”

                       Double-Doubles By Davion Mitchell At Close Of 2021-22                                   
Apr. 1 at Rockets (122-117 win): 11 points, 10 assists, 3/13 FGs: 1/6 3-Pt., 7 Turnovers.
Apr. 5 versus Pelicans (123-109 loss): 15 points, 17 assists, 6/14 FGs: 1/4 3-Pt., 5 Turnovers.
Apr. 10 (116-109 win) at Suns: 18 points, 15 assists, 3 Blocks, 5/14 FGs: 2/4 3-Pt. 1 Turnover.

When Haliburton and Sabonis exchanged zip codes at the Feb. 10 trade deadline, it had everyone in shock. It was not just the fact that the Kings traded away a talented prospect that was improving by the day, the said goodbye to a player that had said on a few occasions that he wanted to remain in Sacramento. That he wanted to be a part of this teams rise back to prominence.

That is nothing against Sabonis, who over the past five seasons has done nothing but get better as a scorer, rebounder, and passer. He totaled 46 double-doubles a season ago, producing 12 of them in his 15 games with the Kings before as mentioned earlier a left knee contusion shelved him the final nine games of last season. The son of Hall of Famer and former Trail Blazer Arvydas Sabonis has registered a double-double in four consecutive seasons. 

After totaling 15 20-point games his first three NBA Seasons (2016-17 w/Thunder; 2017-19 w/Pacers), the No. 11 overall pick in 2016 out of Gonzaga University has totaled 23, 33, and 28 games scoring 20 or more in the last three seasons.

Sabonis, who played at EuroBasket over the summer registered just one career 30-plus point game his first two NBA seasons. He has registered eight such games each of the last two seasons.

In the Pacers 125-113 victory versus the Jazz on Jan. 8, Sabonis scored a career-high 42 points on 18/22 shooting and 3/4 from three-point range.

“I’m excited. I think it’s only going to get better,” Sabonis said about his budding connection with Fox. “The more we play together we’re going to know our habits and what we like and where we like the ball or how he likes me setting the screen. So, the more we get to play together it’s going to be better.” 

Backing up Sabonis this season will be Holmes, who has found a home with the Kings hopes to put a rough 2021-22 season from a physical standpoint and emotional standpoint in the rearview mirror. 

For a team that lacks in true size and girth in the paint. The Kings need Holmes to return to the form of his first two season with the Kings (2019-21) where he nearly averaged a double-double of 12.3 and 14.2 point respectably along with 8.1 and 8.3 boards on 64.8 and 63.7 percent shooting respectably. Over the last three seasons with the Kings, Holmes has registered 13, 21 (career-high), and eight double-doubles. The No. 37 overall pick in 2015 out of Bowling Green University, totaled 11 double-doubles his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers (2015-18) and Suns (2018-19). If he remains healthy, the Kings have a solid 1-2 punch with him and Sabonis in the middle.

They do 7-foot center Alex Len, who unfortunately so far in his nine NBA seasons with the Suns, Hawks, Raptors, Wizards and in his second stint with the Kings has been a disappointed since being the No. 10 overall pick in 2013 out of Maryland.

They have not made the Playoffs or been above the .500 mark since 2006. They have endured a plethora of seasons filled with coaching changes, trips to the NBA Draft Lottery that has produced very few franchise-changing individuals. They have been a mediocre to downright awful at the defensive end.

The Sacramento Kings this offseason rolled up their sleeves from the top down to draft, trade, and sign people that fit around who they have already in the fold. They hired a head coach Mike Brown that believes that what makes a great team is one that defends, is selfless on offense and from the top down is connected by the same goal.

There is no guarantee the Kings will break the longest Playoff drought in NBA history, especially playing the rugged Western Conference. However, they will enter this season with a focus and determination to do that.

“I’m here to win first and foremost and I’m going to embrace that We’re all going to embrace that,” Coach Brown said breaking the longest Playoff drought in NBA history. “The excitement level for that is here.”

“Regardless of record. Regardless whose on the roster. It’s about winning and when you taste that, it’s addictive. And you want more of it.”

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 and continue to be a bottom ranked defensive team.

Grade: B

San Antonio Spurs: 34-48 (4^th Southwest Division; No. 10 Seed West; 16-25 at home, 18-23 on the road); Lost in West Play-In Tournament (113-103) Apr. 15 at New Orleans Pelicans on ESPN

-113.2 ppg-8^th; opp. ppg: 113.0-23^rd; 45.3 rpg-9^th  

If there is one thing that is a given in team sports, especially professional sports, you will eventually have to rebuild yourself into a Playoff perennial from scratch. The San Antonio Spurs have avoided that for so long. They were the model of consistency for over three decades. They have made the Playoffs from 1989-90 to 2018-19 in 29 out of 20 years. The last two seasons has seen them make the Play-In Tournament only to ousted after one game. With the roster torn down to the studs with a young crop of players paired with the NBA’s all-time leader in coaching victories, the goal for the Spurs this season to be see what they have and then build their team back up through the draft.

Last season, the Spus were only above .500 just once (123-97) when they defeated the Magic in their season opener, the Spurs was some major history that took place at the AT&T Center as head coach Gregg Popovich, their sideline leader that has led them to their five titles in their history became the NBA’s all-time leader in coaching victories with his 1,333 win when the Spurs defeated the Jazz 104-102 on Mar. 11.

Coach Popovich broke a tie with his former boss with the Warriors Don Nelson, who Popovich work with as an assistant in the “Bay Area” from 1992-94.

The Spurs began 2021-22 with a 4-13 mark. Were 23-36 at the All-Star break and were as low as 17 games under .500 at 27-44 after 71 games.

Spurs Losing Streaks In 2021-22
6: Nov. 12-26, 2021
5: Jan. 7-15
4: Oct. 22-30, 2021; Dec. 27, 2021-Jan. 5, 2022; Feb. 26-Mar. 7, 2022
3: Jan. 30-Feb. 4, 2022; Apr. 7-10, 2022

With the fall of the Lakers down the stretch of 2021-22 coupled with the Spurs, who went 11-12 post All-Star break posted a 7-4 mark close to last season, which included a season-high tying four-game winning streak (Mar. 20-30) and a three-game winning streak (Apr. 1-7), the Spurs made returned to the Play-In Tournament for the second straight season.  

The Spurs also positioned themselves to make the Play-In, they were 21-12 against sub. 500 teams. In games that they were ahead at the half, the Spurs went 28-9 and were 31-7 when leading after three quarters.

Of their 19 wins by 10 points or more, they were 16-1 when they led in a game by at least 20 points. That included four wins by 30-plus points. A 144-109 victory Dec. 26, 2021, versus Pistons. A 134-104 victory Jan. 25 at Rockets. A 114-83 victory Dec. 2, 2021, and a 133-96 victory Mar. 23, 2022, at the Trail Blazers.    

What allowed the Spurs remain in the Play-In hunt a season ago was their offensive execution that was about finding the open man and being able to shoot the ball at a high clip. 

The Spurs in 2021-22 registered 32 games with 30-plus assists, their most since 1990-91. They produced seven straight games (Feb. 11-28) with 30-plus assists most since they registered five straight such games with 30-plus assists. When the Spurs produced 32 assists or more, they went 15-4.

The Spurs run to the Play-In a season ago was led by Keldon Johnson (17.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 46.6 FG%, 39.8 3-Pt.%), who set career-highs in made threes at 159 (159/399 3-Pt.) and 20-plus point games with 27 (had 12 total such games his first two NBA seasons: 2019-21), which included his first three games with 30-plus points.

Johnson his first two seasons 12.0 points on 49.2 percent from the floor and 36 percent from three-point range in 86 total games. Last season he averaged career-highs in scoring and rebounding on 13.5 field goal attempts in 75 games.   

The No. 29 overall pick in 2019 by the Spurs out of University of Kentucky scored a career-high 34 points with eight boards on 13/21 shooting, including 5/9 from three-point range 149-139 loss versus the Timberwolves on Mar. 14. In the Spurs 123-117 loss Mar. 5 at Hornets, Johnson had 33 points and eight rebounds on 14/24 shooting with four made triples (4/10 3-Pt.). Johnson had 32 points and seven rebounds on 10/20 shooting and 5/9 from three in Spurs 157-153 triple-overtime win at the Wizards.

Those high scoring nights by Johnson are a tribute to his improved three-point shot, registering 25 games with three or more made threes, including eight games with five or more triples, and three games making six threes. Johnson had only three total games of making three or more threes his first two NBA seasons (2019-21).

                      Johnson’s Games With Six Made Triples In 2021-22                                
Nov. 14, 2021: 114-106 loss at Lakers, 24 Points, Six Rebounds, 6/9 3-Pt.
Feb. 11, 2022: 136-121 win at Hawks, 26 Points, Five Rebounds, Five Assists, 6/9 3-Pt.
Apr. 3, 2022: 113-92 win versus Trail Blazers, 28 Points, 6/12 3-Pt.

The Spurs in summer of 2018 dealt now Bulls All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to the Raptors, they acquired All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who was dealt in a sign-and-trade to the Bulls last summer. They also in that deal acquired center Jakob Poeltl (13.5, 9.3 rpg,61.8 FG%: 5^th NBA), who registered career-highs across the board, including 28 double-doubles nearly doubling the 15 double-doubles he had in 2020-21. Poeltl, in his first four NBA seasons (first two seasons with Raptors 2016-18) totaled nine double-doubles.  

After a quiet rookie season in 2020-21, Devin Vassell (12.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 36.1 3-Pt.%) found his three-point stroke a season ago where he became the first player Spurs history to connect on 100-plus threes (137/380 3-Pt.) in his second season.

The No. 11 overall pick out of Florida State University by the Spurs in 2020 had seven 20-point games after registering none his rookie season.

Vassell set a career-high of 22 points on 8/17 from the field, including 3/6 from three in the Spurs 13-129 loss Feb. 26 at Heat. He tied his career-high of 22 points on 9/13 from the field  and 4/6 from three-point land in the Spurs 130-111 victory versus Trail Blazers.

After missing the last season-plus with ankle surgery and a stress fracture in his left leg, Zach Collings (7.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 49.0 FG%) returned to play 28 games for the Spurs in 2021-22. In his debut with the Spurs, the No. 10 overall pick out of Gonzaga in 2017, who his first three NBA seasons with the Trail Blazers made his Spurs debut Feb. 4 scoring 10 points with seven rebounds in the Spurs blowout 131-106 win versus the Rockets.

Collins had his first career double-double of 18 points and 13 boards in the Spurs aforementioned win to start April versus ironically enough his former team, the Trail Blazers.

The Spurs season concluded Apr. 13 with a 113-103 loss at the Pelicans, where they led by six points early in the first quarter, but trailed from that point on, down by as many as 21 points ag 96-75 with 10:39 left in the third quarter. Spurs went on a 16-1 over the next 5:25 of the fourth period cutting the deficit to six at 97-91 but never got closer.

Vassell in defeat had 23 points, hitting a career-best seven threes, going 7/11 from three. The rest of the Spurs totaled 6/21 from three-point range.

The Spurs began their rebuild back on Jan. 19 when in a three-team deal with Spurs and Nuggets trading guard Bryn Forbes to the Nuggets in exchange for forward Juancho Hernangomez, a 2028 protected Second Round pick from the Nuggets and cash considerations from the Celtics and Nuggets.

On Feb. 9 in a three-team deal with the Jazz and Trail Blazers, Spurs acquired guard Tomas Satoransky, who they waived on Feb. 10 from the Trail Blazers and a 2027 Second Round pick (via Jazz), sending Hernangomez to the Jazz.

At the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 10, the Spurs dealt guard Derrick White to the Celtics in exchange for guards Josh Richardson and Romeo Langford, a 2022 First Round pick and a conditional 2028 First Round pick swap.

In the 2022 Draft, Spurs with the No. 9 overall pick selected out of Baylor University forward Jeremy Sochan. At No. 20 overall, they selected forward/guard Malaki Branhan out of Ohio State University. At No. 25 overall, the Spurs selected out of Notre Dame guard Blake Wesley.

In a draft night trade on June 24 Spurs dealt the draft rights of guard Kennedy Chandler (No. 38 overall pick) out of University of Tennessee in exchange for a 2024 Second Round pick (via Lakers) and cash considerations.

In free agency, they late guard Lonnie Walker IV walk as he signed a one-year deal with the Lakers.

The Spurs in late June blew open the NBA’s 2022 offseason trading All-Star lead guard Dejounte Murray and center Jock Landale in exchange for veteran forward Danilo Gallinari, who was waived on July 8, 2023, protected First Round pick (via Hornets from Knicks), a 2025 First Round pick, 2026 pick swap, and a 2027 First Round pick.

Murray, who had one more year left on his deal was coming off a career-year where he set a single-season franchise record 13 triple-double. The Spurs felt this was the time to deal him and get something in return while his value was at its highest.

The Spurs felt the same way about Walker IV, No. 18 overall pick in 2018, who the Spurs felt hit the ceiling of their aforementioned exceptional player development program.

Two other Spurs that possibly could be traded to accumulate more draft assets are sharp-shooter Doug McDermott (11.3 ppg, 46.2 FG%, 42.2 3-Pt.%-7^th NBA in 51 games), who made 108 threes (108/256 3-Pt.) a season ago and the previously mentioned Poeltl.  

The Spurs though had one key member of their coaching staff in recent years in their longtime shooting coach Chip Engelland depart to join the Thunder and head coach Mike Daigneault’s coaching staff after his contract expired. Engelland is widely credited in developing Leonard into an exceptional all-around shooter.

The Spurs though still have Coach Popovich, who is all in with the Spurs current plan of rebuilding as the future first ballot Hall of Famer is returning for his 27^th season overall (his 26^th full season).

Popovich, who will turn 74 in January 2023 will likely finish this upcoming season with the fewest wins since he took over as the Spurs’ sideline leader in the middle of 1996-97 season (went 17-47).

It is only human to believe that all the losses over the past three seasons can try any coach’s patience, Popovich has had the opposite feeling as he as come to enjoy teaching and showing the essential intricacies of pro hoops to his young roster.

“Nobody here should go to [Las] Vegas with the thought of betting on us to win the championship,” Popovich said at Media Day about his team this upcoming season. “And I know somebody will say ‘Gosh. What a Debbie Downer. There’s a chance. What if they work really hard?’ It’s probably not going to happen.”

“But that’s not the point. And very honestly, I could care less. The point is to develop this group and give them the best possible opportunity to have long NBA careers and enjoy the hell out of it.”

The new students that will be in the NBA classroom taught by Professor (Coach) Pop will be rookies First Rounders Sochan, Branham, and Wesley, none of whom are legal yet to raise a glass of wine with him. 

Sochan (9.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg w/Bears), who in his time playing for head coach Scott Drew and the Bears was known for having his hair different colors is a versatile wing with a 7-foot wingspan who can guard all five positions. Has active hands at the defensive end. He also a solid ball handler who was the Bears lead guard late last season.

The Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year already as professional experience playing for Polish National team went from a relative unknown dropped hints as 2021-22 went on made a name for himself and raised his stock during his workouts for other teams and at the Draft combine.

“I was in a pro-environment, and I think they just gave me a lot of advice and a lot of them have been in this situation already,” Sochan said to ESPN’s Monica McNuut on Draft night how playing for Polish national team helped prepare him for NBA.

Branham (13.7 ppg, 42 3-Pt.% w/Buckeyes), who is the first to be named Mr. Basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, OH since its most famous alum in Lakers’ LeBron James, followed that up with a solid 2021-22 at Ohio State University.

He is an excellent three-level scorer who has potential to be a solid two-way player. Is an excellent finisher at the rim and a solid ball handler in the pick-and-roll.

After averaging 10.7 points on 45 percent from the field on 8.7 shoot attempts the first 22 games of 2021-22, the Big 12 Freshmen of the Year averaged 20.2 points on 57 percent shooting on 12.9 field goal attempts the final 10 games of his lone season in the Buckeye state. That jump in production made him very intriguing for a number of teams in the Draft Lottery.   

“I feel like it was just my mindset changed. I was just being more aggressive,” Branham said on Draft night to McNutt on the reason for his exceptional play to close 2021-22.

Wesley (14.4 ppg w/Fighting Irish), who is the first freshmen out of the Fighting Irish program drafted in the First Round in Common Draft era (1966) led Notre Dame in points and steals a season ago.

In his debut for the Fighting Irish, Wesley had 21 points in 24 minutes off the bench in his college debut against Cal State North Ridge.

He is a scorer who can create his own shot. Is very athletic and has a high motor. Has the potential to be a good defender. Success for Wesley at the next level depends on his ability to improve his shooting accuracy, which was at just 30.3 percent from three-point range in 2021-22.

“Just a blessing,” Wesley said to McNutt about being drafted. “I told my parents I wanted  to come here to the Spurs. Told my trainer I wanted to come here. [A] Dream come true.”

“I feel I can fit in right where they want me to be. I like there system. Like the coaches. [I] like everything around it.”

With no expectations of the Spurs three First Round picks to have prominent roles this upcoming season, the construction of the roster should provide opportunity for players to get a real look on who will be the cornerstones of this team long term. One of those possibilities could be Johnson, who was signed to a four-year, $80 million extension in middle of July after his career-year last season.

In the early part of July, the Spurs signed veteran center Gorgui Dieng for his second stint with the Spurs on a one-year, $1.8 million deal. They also claimed off waivers from the Thunder center Isaiah Roby (10.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 51.4 FG%, 44.4 3-Pt.% w/Thunder).

In late August, the Spurs re-signed restricted free agent Joe Wisekamp to a two-year, $4.4 million deal. 

Roby in March registered all four of his 20-plus point games for the Thunder in March, including a career-high 30 points with eight rebounds, two steals, two blocks on 11/13 from the field, including 4/5 from three-point range in his team’s 134-131 overtime win Mar. 28 at Trail Blazers.

In the early part of July, the Spurs signed veteran center Gorgui Dieng for his second stint with the Spurs on a one-year, $1.8 million deal. They also claimed off waivers from the Thunder center Isaiah Roby (10.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 51.4 FG%, 44.4 3-Pt.% w/Thunder).

Three other players that will get a chance to show the Spurs that they could be part of this team’s future are guards Tre Jones (6.0 ppg, 3.4 apg, 49.0 FG%) and teenager Joshua Primo (5.8 ppg).

For three decades, the San Antonio Spurs were one of the best franchises not just the NBA, of the four major North American pro sports, especially since the 1997-98 season.

Top Four Records of Four Major North American Pro Sports Since 1997-98
New England Patriots of NFL 281-120 Record (.700 win%) Won 6 Titles
San Antonio Spurs of NBA 1,327-653 Record (.670 win%) Won 5 Titles
Detroit Red Wings of NHL 1,014-659-199 (.549 win%) Won 3 Titles
New York Yankees of MLB 2,295-1,603 (.589 win%) Won 4 Titles

When the Spurs were winning their five championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), there were four constants. Head Coach Gregg Popovich, Hall of Famer in the pivot Tim Duncan, guard Manu Ginobili, and lead guard Tony Parker. They had the leadership in the three most important places you need to win it all in the NBA. On the sidelines, in the front court and in the backcourt.

They have the coach, for now in Coach. Keldon Johnson, who lost 25 pounds this summer to be able to play his more natural position of small forward could be that foundation in the front court. Seeking that main piece in terms of a floor general to lead the Spurs forward is what Jones and Primo will be working towards in practice and on the game night. They also need to build the supporting cast like those Spurs team that won titles.  

That is what this season and the next couple at least to see if the likes of Rookie First Rounders Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, and Blake Wesley, can be those guys. To see if Devin Vassell, Zach Collins, Isaiah Roby, and Joe Wieskamp can be those guys.

Entering their 50^th Season, the Spurs arrive at a time where they won’t much celebrating accept for flashing back to the best days of the five-time NBA champions, who twice in their history won the No. 1 overall pick (David Robinson in 1987; Tim Duncan in 1996) and that led them to being a postseason perennial and eventually a multiple-time champion.

They will have players on their roster that will still be in their teens at age 19 in Wesley, Sochan, Primo, and Branham.

To put this into context, the Spurs prior to the start of this season have had 127 total games by two rookies still in their teens. The 77 games by Tony Parker in 2001-02 and the 50 games played a season ago by Primo.

Most Games From Players At Age 19 Or Younger In NBA History
Rockets              2001-02        149 Games
Bulls                   2001-02        143 Games
Suns                   2016-17        133 Games
Warriors           2021-22        122 Games
Lakers               2016-17        111 Games
Timberwolves   2014-15       111 Games     

There is a chance the Spurs could be in that position again this spring to possibly draft the teenage phenom from France Victor Wembanyama, who has many rebuilding squads in the NBA salivating for a chance to be one of those Top 3 picks to draft him. That is something to worry about in Spring 2023.

But now for the Spurs like they did in building their title teams before it is about patience and laying the foundation to a better tomorrow this upcoming season.

There will be tough losses. They will be moments where the players will go against opponents and be over matched. They will also have a couple of wins where it shows what this team can be possibly in the future.

The one guarantee that we will see from the Spurs this upcoming season is a team under Coach Pop that will play hard. Play together. Be unselfish and selfless on both ends. If you are not that, you will not see the floor.

Like Coach Popovich said at Media Day. When the Spurs were winning their five titles, they never walked into those seasons knowing the amount of wins they were going to have in those seasons or that they would have five Larry O’Brien trophies in their trophy case. 

“So, it was the same standard then as it is now to be the best team we can possibly be by the end of the season,” Coach Pop said.  

Best Case Scenario: The Spurs win 25 games. Johnson establishes himself as the Spurs headliner. Poeltl and McDermott are traded for more protected First Round picks or pick swaps. Sochan, Branham, or Wesley make either of the two All-Rookie teams.

Worst Case Scenario: The Spurs have more than 10 games they lose by 20 points or more. Have over 3 losing streaks of eight or more games.

Grade: B.

Utah Jazz: 49-33 (1^st Northwest Division; No. 5 Seed in West) 29-12 at home, 20-21 on the road; Lost to No. 4 Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in West Quarterfinals.

-113.6 ppg-7^th; opp. ppg: 107.6-10^th; 46.3 rpg-3^rd     

For six straight season they made the Playoffs in a tough Western Conference. In three of those six seasons, they produced 50 wins, while coming close to 50 wins in two other seasons in this span. However, they have not gone beyond the West Semis and two seasons back were up in the West Semis over L.A.’s other team 2-0 and lost the final four games of the series to go down in six games. Last season, they just flamed out in the opening-round against the eventual West runner-up. This offseason, they tore down the foundation of their squad from the coach, the two All-Star pillars and a key player from their starting lineup. With a new beginning that consist of young players and as treasure troll of draft picks moving forward, the goal for the Utah Jazz starting with this season is to start building the foundation for better seasons ahead.

On May 10, 2019, former Jazz's assistant GM Justin Zanik (2013-16) was named the new GM of the Jazz.

On Oct. 28, 2020, Karen Gail Miller, wife of the late longtime Governor of the Jazz Larry H. Miller announced that executive chairman and co-founder of the experience management company Qualtrics Ryan Smith purchased a majority stake in the Jazz.

On Apr. 16, 2021, future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade purchased an undisclosed minority ownership stake into the Jazz.

Dec. 15, 2021, former Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge was hired as the CEO of Basketball Operations and alternate Governor of Jazz. 

This circle of four of the Utah Jazz oversaw a great start by then head coach Quin Snyder’s squad in the 2021 portion of the 2021-22 season where they Jazz closed out 2021 with a record of 26-9 thanks in large to an eight-game winning streak (Nov. 27, 2021-Dec. 17, 2021) and a six-game winning streak (Dec. 20, 2021-Jan .1, 2022).

The Jazz during their eight-game winning streak produced four straight 20-plus point at the Timberwolves (136-104 Dec. 8, 2021), at 76ers (118-96 Dec. 9, 2021), at Wizards (123-98 Dec. 11, 2021), and versus the Clippers (Dec. 15, 2021), tied for second longest such winning streak in NBA history with four other teams, most recently the 2013 Thunder behind the 1970 Bucks and 1978 Trail Blazers.  

The Jazz went 4-12 in January, registering a four-game (Jan. 7-16); five-game (Jan. 23-Feb 2) and a two-game losing streaks. They bounced back with an 8-1 mark in February, that included a six-game winning streak (Feb. 2-16).

They alternated losses their first eight games in March followed by a three-game winning streak (Mar. 16-21) followed by a five-game losing streak (Mar. 21-31) to finish the month 8-9 and went 3-2 in April.

The Jazz slid to No. 5 in the West due to going 7-18 on the road in 2021-22, registering road losing streak of three (Jan. 7-16); six (Jan. 17-Feb. 27) straight defeats. Then won three straight road games (Feb. 27-Mar. 7). Utah’s 108-93 triumph at the Knicks to kick off their aforementioned six-game East Coast road trip before concluding the trip with five straight defeats and lost 111-107 Apr. 2 at the Warriors to bring the road skid to six in a row which they concluded with a 111-80 victory in the regular season finale at the Trail Blazers Apr. 10.

During their five-game skid in late January, they lost veteran guard Joe Ingles to a torn ACL in his left knee at the 5:52 mark of second quarter in the Jazz’s 126-106 loss at the Timberwolves.

In February, the Jazz began what would be a bevy of changes to come. On Feb. 4 when the dealt reserve guard Miye Oni and a future 2028 Second Round pick to the Thunder for cash considerations. 

Five days later, they dealt Ingles, an unrestricted free agent at season’s end in a three-team deal to the Trail Blazers along with forward Elijah Hughes and the Grizzlies 2022 Second Round pick. The Jazz sent a Second-Round pick to the Spurs and got back guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Trail Blazers and forward/center Juancho Hernangomez from the Spurs.

                     Most Career Made Three-Pointers In Jazz History            
Joe Ingles: 1,071                    Bryon Russell: 540
Donovan Mitchell: 958         Darrell Griffith: 530
John Stockton: 845               Mehmet Okur: 517
Gordon Hayward: 689         Deron Williams: 511
Bojan Bogdanovic: 550        Jordan Clarkson: 491

The Jazz over the last two seasons were 28-17 when starting Ingles, including a 6-9 mark in his 15 starts in 2021-22. They went 186-127 since 2016-17 season with Ingles in the starting lineup.

The Jazz began the 2022 Postseason with a 99-93 win to kick off their opening-round at the Mavericks Apr. 16 ESPN to lead the series 1-0.

Jazz overcame an early nine-point first quarter deficit to lead 45-43 at half, outscoring the Mavericks 25-20 in the second quarter. Jazz led for the entire second half leading by as many as 12 points in the third quarter and were up by 11 points in the final period before holding off a late Mavericks charge.

The Jazz outrebounded the Mavericks 53-34, including 13-7 on the offensive glass. Outscored the Mavericks 50-36 and 20-7 in second chance points.

The Jazz lost a tough one, dropping at the Mavericks 110-104 to knot this series at 1-1 Apr. 18 on NBATV.

Utah outscored Mavericks 31-24 in the second quarter to lead 55-48 at the half and led by as many as 10 in the third. But the Mavericks kicked into gear outscoring the Jazz 63-49 in the second half, including 33-23 in the fourth quarter.

Jazz outrebounded Mavericks 50-31, including 11-2 on the offensive glass. Outscored them 50-28 in the paint and 18-4 in second chance points.

Even back home in the comfy confides of Vivint Smart Home Arena with a road split, the Jazz fell versus the Mavericks 126-118 Apr. 21 on NBATV, outrebounding the Mavericks by just one 33-32 and just 6-1 on the offensive glass.

Jazz got outscored 41-31 in the second quarter to lead 68-51 at the half. Jazz outscored the Mavericks 40-29 in the third to trail 97-91 after three quarters. They closed the gap to 103-102 in the final period before they were outscored by the 23-16 to close Game 4.

The Jazz squared the series 2-2 with a 100-99 win versus the Mavericks Apr. 23 TNT as they scored at the rim with 11.0 seconds.

Jazz overcame an early eight-point deficit in the opening stanza outscoring the Mavericks 30-19 in the second quarter to go up 54-42 at the half. Mavericks stormed back outscoring the Jazz 39-24 in third period to lead 81-78 after three quarters. Mavericks scored five straight points to lead 99-95 with 39.6 seconds left in regulation. Jazz answered with a 5-0 run of their own including the eventual game-winning dunk by Gobert to put the Jazz up 100-99 with 11.0 second left in the game.

The Jazz in Game 4 outrebounded the Mavericks 46-43 including 13-7 on the offensive glass. Outscored the Mavericks 35-13 in bench points; 22-12 in second chance points.

It was the first career go-ahead shot in the final minute of his postseason career.

The good times did not carry over into Game 5 as the Mavericks took them down in a big way 102-77 Apr. 23 TNT, where they managed to shoot just 37.7 percent from the field (29/77 FGs) and 3/30 on their threes, including 3/21 on uncontested triples. Jazz had scoring output of 18, 18, and 19 the first three quarters of Game 5.

The 77 points by the Jazz in Game 5 were their fewest in a game since November 2018 against the Mavericks (losing 118-68 Nov 14, 2018).

The season for the Jazz and what would their last game as presently constructed 98-96 versus the Mavericks Apr. 28 on TNT, taking the series 4-2.

Jazz led 53-41 at the half of Game 6 outscoring the Mavericks 32-26 in the second quarter and led by as many as 12 points. Mavericks outscored the Jazz 36-19 in the third quarter to lead 77-72 after three quarters.

Down 98-96 in the final 04.3 second of regulation, Jazz’s Bojan Bogdanovic’s potential game-winning three to send the series to Game 7 missed at the final buzzer.

Jazz shot 9/35 from three in Game 6 after a 3/30 effort on their triple tries in Game 5.

3^rd Quarter Summary           DAL               UTA
of Game 6                                 36      Points    19
                                                13/20    FGs     6/17
                                                 8/12    3-Pt.      3/8
                                                  10      Rebs       8
                                                  10     Assists     4

The Jazz entered the 2022 offseason with no draft pics because their 2022 First Rounder was owed to the Grizzlies from when they acquired Conley, and they had three-time All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert under contract until the 2026-27 season.

While he was never on the hot seat in terms of his job being in jeopardy, Coach Snyder saw the writing on the wall and voluntarily stepped down as Jazz head coach as the team announced on June 5. 

I am incredibly grateful to have spent the last eight years with such a respected and historic organization and in the beautiful, kind, supportive community of Salt Lake City. I could not have asked for better owners in the Miller family and with Ryan and Ashley [Smith],” Coach Snyder said.

“I needed to take time to detach after the season and make sure this was the right decision. I greatly respect and appreciate Ryan, Danny, and Justin’s discussions regarding moving forward together, I just know it is time. I am forever appreciative of all the players, coaches, partners, and people I have worked with at the Jazz. Your sacrifice, your kindship have made this an incredible and special experience. Amy [Snyder’s wife] and I are so grateful for our time here as it has been just a tremendous place to raise our family. Thank you to our always supportive and passionate fans. We only want the best for you and to see you raise a championship banner.”

Snyder departed as the second winningest coach in Jazz history with 372 wins. He compiled a 372-264 mark (.585 win%) in his eight seasons in Salt Lake. Only the late Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan compiled more wins as Jazz head coach at 1,127, compiling a 1,127-682 mark in his 22 seasons 1989-2011 as the Jazz’s sideline leader.

Once Coach Snyder stepped down, Ainge and Zanik began the process of tearing down the foundation of the team right down to the studs.

On June, 28, the Jazz hired Celtics assistant coach Will Hardy to be their nine head coach in franchise history on a five-year deal.  

Prior to his loan season as an assistant on then Ime Udoka’s staff, that went to The Finals this past season losing to the Warrior in six games, Hardy, 34 was with the Spurs for the prior 11 seasons starting as an operations intern and moved up to the video room and eventually an assistant coach on the staff of the all-time leader in coaching victories and five NBA titles Gregg Popovich.

He became the latest from the Spurs tree of either players or assistant coaches to go on and be a head coach. Hardy, 34 joined Warriors sideline leader Steve Kerr, who just won his fourth title as a coach and his ninth title counting the five titles he won as a player with the Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Hall of Fame head coach Phi Jackson’s Bulls (1996-98) and Coach Popovich’s Spurs (1999, 2003). Suns Head coach Monty Williams who guided his squad to the best record in the NBA (64-18) last season and made The Finals the year before. Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins led his team to the No. 2 Seed in the stacked Western Conference in 2021-22. 76ers head coach Glen “Doc” Rivers won a title in 2008 as head coach of the Celtics. Kings’ new head coach Mike Brown led the Cavaliers to The Finals in his second season as their sideline leader in 2006-07 and Becky Hammon led the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces to their first title in their history in her first season.

Hardy, 34 has been tagged as a “can’t miss” coach for some time and was a big part in the Celtics becoming the defensive juggernaut that as mentioned reach the 2022 Finals.

“My time in San Antonio and Boston really helped formulate for me what’s important to me as a coach. And as we move into this next chapter here in Utah, I want our team to represent toughness, sacrifice, and passion,” Hardy said at his introductory presser flanked by Smith and Ainge. “I think that those values are very reflective of this organization. But also, they’re values that the state of Utah and our incredible fanbase can feel deeply connected to and very, very proud of.”  

While Hardy takes over a rebuilding Jazz squad that is not expected to do much this upcoming season, that does not mean the team is not going to just go through the motions each game they play until the talent is upgraded.

At his introductory presser on July 5 said what he learned most from being with the Spurs and Coach Pop is that he made it about “the people first,” which Coach Hardy said that is “really important” to him. To make about the support staff, coaching staff and everyone involved with the Jazz. Hardy also said that he learned from being around Coach Popovich that he was one of “the most competitive people” he was ever around in his, which permeated throughout the entire Spurs organization from the front office, coaching staff, and players every day.

“I think for me to be an effective leader, I have to have that personal capital built up with everybody,” Hardy added about the importance of building a solid foundation from the players he will coach to how he handles the press and anyone within the Jazz he comes into contact with. “And so, my goal is these first couple of months is to really hope everybody here, you guys included get to know me as a person before you get to know me as a coach. I think that will only strengthen the relationships and then down the road that’s going to help us be honest with each other.” 

The Jazz’s lone free agent signing of 2022 offseason came on July 17 with the signing of Italian international and EuroLeague veteran Simone Fontecchio (11.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 40.2 3-Pt.% w/Cazoo Bashonia Vitoria-Gateiz (Spain), who played this summer for Spain at EuroBasket.

“I always wanted to become an NBA since I grew up. It’s been a long journey and now I’m 26 almost 27 and sometimes this dream felt a little far. But right now, I’m so happy and excited to be here,” Fontecchio said at Media Day about his emotions about finally making it to the NBA. “Ofcourse I’ve got a lot to learn…But I feel pretty ready and really prepared.”     

The Jazz spent a majority of tear down of the roster began with trading starting forward Royce O’Neale, who started 77 games in 2021-22 for the Jazz to the Nets for a 2023 First Round pick.  

In a move that set the trade market for any blockbuster deal this past offseason, the Jazz traded starting three-time All-Star center and three-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year recipient Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolves in exchange for guard Malik Beasley (12.1 ppg, 37.3 3-Pt.% w/Timberwolves), guard Patrick Beverly, forward Leandro Bolmaro, and forward Jarred Vanderbilt (6.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 58.7 FG%).

The Jazz in the deal got a boat load of draft assets in the draft rights to forward/center Walker Kessler (No. 22 overall pick; 11.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.6 bpg) out of Auburn University; a 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029 First Round picks and a 2026 pick swap.

Kessler, who began his collegiate career at University of North Carolina will be a true lob threat at the basket for the Jazz, who is an excellent roller to the rim off the pick-and-roll and is an excellent shot blocker.

Last season for the Tigers, the 2021-22 First Team All-SEC selection and Defensive Player of the Year, the first to receive that honor in Tigers history led Division I in total blocks at 155.

Unfortunately, Kessler did not get chance to play in NBA Summer League because of foot/toe injury. But got cleared for full activities two weeks ago and is looking forward to his rookie season.

At Media Day on Sept. 26, Kessler said in speaking with the Coach Hardy and the coaching staff that they wanted him to continue improving as “presence at the rim” as a shot blocker as well as defending in space against guards.

He added that he became such a great shot blocker is mainly attributed to a major growth spurt he had growing up and that he played one-on-one with a lot of guards and developed counters to be a good shot blocker against “crafty” guards. Being able to understand “the timing” when you got for the shot block. Having knowledge of which hand the opposing offensive player is going to use when attempting a shot at the rim.  

In late August, the Jazz dealt Beverly to the Lakers for two young role players in guard Talen Horton-Tucker (10.0 ppg) and forward Stanley Johnson (6.7 ppg, 46.6 FG% in 48 games w/Lakers.

With the trade of Gobert, it was never a matter of if Mitchel would be traded but when. All summer, Mitchell was linked to be dealt to the Knicks because they had the assets of young players and draft picks. But after seeing the haul the Jazz got from the Timberwolves for Gobert, the Knicks front office did not want to give up the house for Mitchell.

That gave a chance for another team to make the Jazz am offer Ainge would say yes to. The Jazz found their match sending Mitchell in a sign-and-trade to the Cavaliers for Collin Sexton (16.0 ppg), forward Lauri Markkanen (14.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 44.5 FG%, 35.8 3-Pt.%), the draft rights to guard Ochai Agbaji (No. 14 overall pick) out of University of Kansas.  

Along with getting the players, the Jazz added to their war chest of draft picks, getting in the deal for Michell acquiring 2025, 2027, and 2029 First Round picks and 2026 and 2028 pick swap. Sexton, who was a restricted free agent signed a four-year, $72 million deal as part of the trade. Sexton, who missed the final 71 games in 2021-22 because of a meniscus tear suffered Nov. 7, 2021, in Cavaliers 126-109 victory at the Knicks is looking forward as well as his teammates to proving people wrong that regardless of how they finish, they will play well win, lose, or draw.

“We all have a chip on our shoulder, and we all want to win,” Sexton said. “We see what everybody is saying about us. But we want to go out here and prove people wrong. But also show ourselves that we can do it.”

One thing that can help the transition for a rookie into the NBA is if they are on a team with a player they played with or a coach that coached them in college.

Agbaji (18.8 ppg 5.1 rpg, 41 3-Pt. w/Jayhawks) will have that being reunited with his former teammate and roommate with the Jayhawks as a freshmen and sophomore in Udoka Azubuike when he was a junior and senior.

Agbaji, 22 who is Nigerian said that their culture is what connected them and that Agbaji’s dad would cook meals for him all the time.

“He’s excited to have me here. So, I’m excited to be here with him and the organization,” Agbaji said about being with the Jazz and his former Jayhawk teammate. “It’s been good though and he’s been supportive this whole time.”

Agbaji as a senior with the Jayhawks was named a 2021-22 First Team All-American his while also helping the Jayhawks capture the 2022 National title and was named Most Outstanding Player of last season’s Final Four.

He is a good shooter that can also defend. Is an excellent floor spacer with his perimeter shot. Very athletic and explosive when attacking the basket.

Agbaji Career            PPG      3-Pt.%
At Kansas                    8.5         32%
                                    10.0         34%
                                    14.1         38%
                                    18.8         41%           

The fourth member of the Jazz’s starting quintet the last couple of seasons was dealt on Sept. 22 when forward Bojan Bogdanovic was traded to the Pistons in exchange for veteran forward/center Kelly Olynyk (9.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 44.8 FG% in 40 games w/Pistons) who played for the Celtics while Ainge was the President of Basketball Operations and guard Saben Lee.

Only Hall of Famer Karl Malone (10,116 points) totaled more points through his first five seasons with the Jazz than Mitchell (8,234 points). 

                                       Jazz All-Time Leading Scorers                                                   
Karl Malone:         36,374   Points   Andrei Kirilenko: 8,411 Points   
John Stockton:      19,711   Points   Pete Maravich:      8,324 Points
Adrian Dantley:    13,635   Points   Donovan Mitchell: 8,234 Points
Darrell Griffith:    12,391   Points   Gordon Hayward: 8,077 Points
Thurl Bailey:          9,897    Points   Rudy Gobert:         7,592 Points

Gobert in his nine seasons with the Jazz as mentioned was named an All-Star the last three seasons; won Kia Defensive Player of the Year three times; and made the NBA All-Defensive First Team six times. 

With Mitchell and Gobert in the lineup during their careers together with the Jazz, the team went 203-105 (41.30 when one or both were out of the lineup).

“The biggest thing for us was opening up a window to compete for a title,” Zanik told reporters in middle of September. “Give credit to ownership, the organization, the community, and the support we’ve had over the last three years as we put every resource toward trying to accomplish that. And we fell short.”

It was not that long ago that Mitchell and Gobert made the Jazz a team as their Playoff Mantra was over the last couple of seasons “Take Note.”

As last season progress, Ainge saw something he didn’t like. He saw a roster that “didn’t believe in each other,” Ainge told reporters in a news conference in the middle of September.

“When we got to the Playoffs I thought, well this is a team that has had some disappointing Playoffs, so I thought maybe they’re just waiting for the Playoffs. I gave them that benefit of the doubt, but it was clear the team didn’t perform well in the Playoffs again,” Ainge said of why the Jazz have gone down early in the postseason in recent years.

“Like I believe every one of these guys went into every game believing they were going to in, don’t get me wrong on that. I’m just saying when adversity hit, the resolve, you could see in a team that has a true belief in having each other’s back or one another.”

“I think individually they have resolve, but I just don’t believe collectively they did. So you see a lot of players trying to do it on their own as the believe in one another wasn’t as great as teams I’ve been on and around.”

With the Jazz failures in the postseasons of losing in seven games in the opening-round against the Nuggets after leading the series 3-1. Falling in the 2021 West Semis 4-2 after leading the series 2-0; and their six-game ouster this past spring to the Mavericks it just felt like a change was necessary.

On top of that Gobert is owed $85 million over the next two years and holds a $46.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Mitchell is owed $67.5 million for the next two seasons, followed by a $37 million player option

Their relationship has been strained at times since going back to at least Mar. 2020, the start of the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic when Gobert tested positive, and Mitchell tested positive 24 hours later. Speculation began of whether the Jazz’s guard/center combination could lead them to a title.

That answer turned out to be no. It became even clearer the answer was no when every time Mitchell passed Gobert the ball off of their two-man game and he fumbled the pass, which led many times to show body language of absolute frustration. As a result, the Jazz wanted to move on from Mitchell and Gobert while their value was still very high.

“In the NBA life cycle, this was kind of a touch point to make a pivot. To do that, we wanted to give the organization every opportunity, the greatest base of flexibility, young players and assets going forward to reach the ceiling we want to get to and that’s to win a title here.”  

In 2013, Ainge while leading the Celtics front office dealt aging now Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets and collected a boat load of First Round picks, which turned into current stars in three-time All-Star Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Nearly a decade later, Ainge frisked f if you count 2022 First Round draft choice in Kessler,  unprotected picks in 2023, 2025, and 2027; a Top 5 protected pick in 2029 and a 2026 pick from the Timberwolves for Gobert. They got 2025, 2027, and 2029 unprotected First Round picks and two pick swaps (2026 and 2028) from the Cavs in the Mitchell deal. Also, they got some solid players in those deals in Beasley, Vanderbilt, Bolmaro, and the draft rights to Kessler from the Timberwolves. They acquired the draft rights to Agbaji, Sexton and Markkanen from the Cavaliers.

The Jazz also re-routed Beverly for Horton-Tucker and Johnson because the well-traveled Beverly is a veteran who makes more sense on a team like the Lakers who have championship aspirations as opposed to the Jazz who are rebuilding.

The only question now is what happens with the remaining veterans in lead guard Mike Conley (13.7 ppg, 5.3 apg, 40.8 3-Pt.%), Jordan Clarkson (16.0 ppg), and Rudy Gay (8.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 34.5 3-Pt.%) in 55 games as well as Olynyk.

These are four players that many teams are going to covet, especially as we get close to the February trade deadline or sooner if one of the contenders in either conference has a serious injury.

The one thing that Conley, Clarkson, and Gay will be is professional and be a that necessary calm and focus to get this Jazz rebuild off to a solid start.

At Media Day, Conley 34 had some fun about being the same age as Coach Hardy that the two have a running joke of Hardy says that he is the “young” and Conley’s “old.”

“That’s his joke to me every single day,” Conley added. “So, he wants me to continue to believe that I’m a young guy and all that. It’s pretty cool just to have that dynamic. We’re going through life at the same speed.”  

As far as his future with the Jazz, Conley said that he has tried to not think about that “too much.”

He added, “At this point, I’m trying to just concentrate on being all in not worry about it as much. I figured if I was to have been traded it would’ve already happened at this point. I’m just going into this season ready for another year. Whatever happens after that happens.”

Gay echoed those same feelings at Media Day that his focused this offseason on himself and what he could do to get better. He also said this season as “a chance to be a better leader” and “be more vocal.”

“I don’t know what this season is going to have. I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. But I can control myself and how I come into camp, and if I’m ready or not,” Gay said. “Also, I can control what I say to these young guys. So, I just try to do what I can.”

Clarkson kept it a lot simpler about his approach to this season for however how long he is with the Jazz saying that all he can do is “put the jersey on and go compete.”  

Last season, the Utah Jazz were at a crossroads. They had to show that they were either progressing towards a championship or they were going to rebuild. Last season’s First-Round exit at the hands of the Mavericks and the resignation of Head Coach Quin Snyder signaled to the front office brass of Danny Ainge, Justin Zanik, and Governor Ryan Smith that the time was now to fully tear down the roster and build it back up into their projected image.

They got everything they could ask for turning their top two players in All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert into young players who have some NBA experience and a treasure trove of draft assets. They found their sideline leader in Will Hardy who hopes to have the same kind of success that now Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens had when Ainge hired him nearly a decade ago while with the Celtics. They also have player in Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and Malik Beasley, who are eager to prove that they will have solid seasons and hopefully big part of the Jazz as they move forward.

Whether the Jazz, who control 18 First Round picks (including their own) from now until 2029 will have the same outcome as the Boston Celtics did when they went this route under Ainge starting in 2013 remains to be seen. But they are best positioned to draft that franchise-altering player (like the 7-foot French phenom Victor Wembanyana) this late spring 2023 and in upcoming drafts.

“This team is going to be representative of this organization and it’s going be something that’s reflective of the fanbase,” Coach Hardy said of what “Team 49” in Jazz history will be this season. “We will be tough. We will play with passion. It will be a team.”

“When things change, things change. And so, it’s our responsibility to adapt and be flexible. I need to be flexible in my leadership and again, focus on whose here and what we have and that’s ‘Team 49.’ That’s what we’re go

Best Case Scenario: The Jazz win 30 games. They play in over 40 games decided in clutch time. Kessler, Agbaji, and Fontecchio have solid rookie seasons. The Jazz add to their war chest of draft picks in deals for Conley, Clarkson, Gay and possibly Olynyk.

Worst Case Scenario: The Jazz register 50-plus losses in a season for the first time since 2013-14 NBA campaign and for only the eight time in there 49-year history are a lower playoff seed and fall again in the opening-round of the playoffs.

Grade: A

Information, quotations, and statistics are courtesy of

Websites: www.statemuse.com; www.landofbasketball.com; www.basketball-reference.com; www.nba.com/draft/2022/team-profiles; www.espn.com/nba/standings/stats; www.nba.com/draft/2022/team-profiles; www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/years/2022; www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34098541/nba-grades-details-every-deal-2022-23-season; www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34098541/nba-trade-tracker; www.nba.com/standings?GroupBy=conf&Season=2021-22&Sectionnews/nba-trade-tracker; www.nba.com/standings?GroupBy=conf&Seasonnews/every-reported-free-agency-deal-2022; www.espn.com/nba/standings/_/season/2022.

Stories: 10/25/2021 www.cbssports.com, “Rockets Jalen Green, The No. 2 Overall Draft Pick Ties NBA Record For Most 3’s In A Game By A Teenager,” By Jack Maloney; 12/13/2022 www.espn.com, “Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James Oldest Player Ever To Post 30-Point Triple-Double,” By Dave McMenamin; 1/11/2022 www.cbssports.com, “Joel Embiid Joins Wilt Chamberlin And Allen Iverson As Only Sixers With Seven Straight 30-Point Games,” Jack Maloney; 1/11/2022 www.sixerswire.usatoday.com “Joel Embiid Sets New Sixers Road Scoring Record, Passes Allen Iverson,” Ky Carlin; 6/1/2022 www.nba.com “String Of 50-Point Games Has NBA In Its Own March Madness,” Via “The Associated Press;” 7/19/2022 www.cbssports.com: “2022 NBA Offseason Grades For All 30 Teams: Celtics Put On Masterclass; Lakers Underwhelm; 76ers Earn A,” By Colin Ward-Henninger; www.espn.com/nba, “ NBA Free Agency 2022: Latest Deals, News, Buzz, and Reports From Around The League;” 7/20/2022 www.cbsports.com “Hawks Hire Kyle Korver To Front Office Role,” By Jasmyn Winbush; 7/20/2022 www.espn.com “Mile Bridges Pleads Not Guilty To Three Felony Charges In Domestic Violence Case,” By Baxter Holmes; www.nba.com’s, “30-teams-in-30-days,” Sept. 1-30, 2022 By Shaun Powell; 8/29/2022 www.espn.com “RJ Barrett Finalizing Extension With New York Knicks Complicating Pursuit of Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell,” By Adrian Wojnarowski and Contributions ESPN’s NBA Front Office Insider Bobby Marks; 9/2/2022 www.espn.com “Boston Celtics Danilo Gallinari Diagnose With Torn ACL: Sources Say Forward Eyeing Late Season Return: By Tim Bontemps; 9/23/2022 www.nba.com, “Celtics Governor Says Ime Udoka Suspended For ‘Multiple’ Policy Violations” By Jimmy Golen of “The Associated Press;” 10/4/2022 www.nba.com, “What To Expect From All 15 Teams In West This Season,” By Shaun Powell; 10/4/2022 www.nba.com, “What To Expect From All 15 Teams In The East This Season,” By Steve Aschburner; 10/4/2022 www.nba.com 2022-23 Season,” Presented By Kia By Shaun Powell; John Schuhmann; Steve Aschburner; Michael C. Wright; and Mark Medina;  

TV Shows: 3/30/2022 6 p.m. “Inside The Association” Bally Sports Oklahoma, Presented By Fanduel Sportsbook and AT&T 5G With Camron Smith, Shams Charania, and Pat Garrity; 6/23/2022 8 p.m. “2022 NBA Draft” on ESPN And ABC, Presented By State Farm from Barclays Center In Brooklyn, NY With Malika Andrews, Adrian Wojnarowski, Kendrick Perkins, Jay Bilas, Bobby Marks, Kevin Negandhi, Chiney Ogwumike, Jalen Rose, Stephen A. Smith, and Monica McNutt; NBATV’s Team Preview all 30 Teams from Oct. 1-8 from 5 p.m. -8 p.m. with Kristen Ledlow and Sam Mitchell; Jared Greenberg and Greg Anthony; Nabil Karim and Steve Smith; Chris Miles and Dennis Scott; Matt Winer and Channing Frye; Stephanie Ready and Isiah Thomas; Matt Winer and Brendan Haywood; Nabil Karim and Sam Mitchell; Jared Greenberg and Jim Jackson; and Chris Miles and Jim Jackson; 6/30/2022 12 a.m. NBATV’s “Free Agency Fever” With Kristen Ledlow Dennis Scott, and Ryan McDonough;  7/1/2022 2 p.m. Hawks Introductory Presser of Dejounte Murray on NBATV; 7/1/2022 6 p.m. CBS Sports Network’s “Time To Schein With Adam Schein” hosted by Brent Stover and Gary Parrish; 7/1/2022 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. NBATV’s “Free Agency Fever,” With Nabil Karim, Greg Anthony, and Ryan McDonough; 7/22/2022 3 p.m. “NBA Today,” on ESPN With Malika Andrews, Ros Gold-Onwude, Dave McMenamin, and Zach Lowe; 7/15/2022 3 p.m. “NBA Today” on ESPN With Malika Andrews, Monica McNutt, Adrian Wojnarowski, Nick Friedell, Dave McMenamin, and Ohm Youngmisuk; 9/7/2022 3 p.m. “NBA Today” on ESPN 2 With Cassidy Hubbarth, Ramona Shelburne, Tim MacMahon, Marc J. Spears, Ramona Shelburne, Brian Windhorst, Monica McNutt, and Carolyn Peck;  9/26/2022 2 p.m. “NBA Today,” on ESPN With Malika Andrews, Richard Jefferson, Ros Gold-Onwude; Romona Shelburne, Chiney Ogwumike, Kendrick Perkins, Marc J. Spears, Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and Kendra Andrews; 9/27/2022 3 p.m. “NBA Today” on ESPN With Malika Andrews, Nick Friedell, Chiney Ogwumike; Tim Bontemps, Kendrick Perkins, Zach Lowe, and Andrew Lopez; 9/28/2022 3 p.m. “NBA Today” on ESPN With Malika Andrews; Chiney Ogwumike; Ramona Shelburne; Marc J. Spears, and Andrew Lopez;

Pregame/Postgame Shows (Regular Season): 11/10/2022 7:30 p.m. “Hornets Live,” Presented By The Fresh Market on Bally Sports Southeast With Ashley Shahahmadi, Dell Curry, and Eric Collins; 11/10/2021 7:30 p.m. “Mavericks Live” Presented By Jack Daniels Bally Sports Southwest With Dana Larsen, Brian Dameris, and Devin Harris; 11/19/2022 7 p.m. “NBA Countdown” ESPN & ABC, Presented By Mtn Dew With Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Jalen Rose, Michael Wilbon, and Adrian Wojnarowski; 11/28/2022 9 p.m. “Pistons Live” Bally Sports Detroit With Mickey York, Tim McCormick, Johnny Kane, Greg Kesler; 12/2/2021 8:30 p.m. “Suns Live” Bally Sports Arizona, Presented By Fanduel Sportsbook With Jon Bloom, Tom Chambers, and Eddie Johnson; 12/23/2021; 12/26/2021 3 p.m., 12/31/2021, 3/18/2022, 4/10/2022 6:30 p.m. “Heat Live,” Bally Sports Sun, Presented By Xfinity With Will Manso/Jason Jackson, Ruth Riley-Hunter, Eric Reid, and John Crotty; 12/28/2022 9:30 p.m., 3/26/2022 8:30 p.m. “Thunder Live” Bally Sports Oklahoma, Presented By Cox Communications With John Rhadigan, Nancy Lieberman, Michael Cage, Chris Fisher, Paris Lawson and Nick Gallo; 12/28/2021 6:30 p.m. “Bucks Live” Bally Sports Wisconsin With Dario Melendez and Craig Coshon; 1/11/2022 6:30 p.m. “Wizards Live” Presented By Geico With Wes Hall, Chase Hughes, Chris Miller, Justin Kutcher, and Drew Gooden 1/23/2022 3 p.m. “Celtics Pregame Live” NBC Sports Boston, Presented By TD Bank With Amina Smith, Brian Scalabrine, Eddie House, and Abby Chin; 12/30/2021 6:30 p.m. “Magic Live” Presented By Ford With Mackenzie Thirkill and Brian Hill; 1/27/2022 7:30 p.m. “Lakers vs. 76ers” TNT, Presented By State Farm With Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, and Allie LaForce; 1/26/2022 8 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Kelsey Riggs and David Lloyd; 1/24/2022 12:30 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter With Scott Van Pelt” from Washington, D.C.; 1/26/2022 12:30 a.m. “NBA On TNT Tuesday Postgame Show,” Presented By Kia With Adam Lefkoe, Candace Parker, Dwyane Wade, and Shaquille O’Neal;  1/28/2022 7 p.m. “Celtics Pregame Live,” NBC Sports Boston, Presented By TD Bank With Amina Smith, Chris Mannix, and Brian Scalabrine; 1/27/2022 12:35 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter With Scott Van Pelt” from Washington, D.C.; 1/30/2022 7:30 p.m.; 3/26/2022 4:30 p.m. “Spurs Live” Bally Sports Southwest With Dan Weiss, Matt Bonner, Sean Elliott, and Michelle Beadle; 2/5/2022 2 a.m. NBATV’s “#Handles” With Kristen Ledlow and Channing Frye; 2/5/2022 1 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Zubin Mehenti and Michael Eaves; 2/26/2022 3/20/2022 7 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Gary Striewski and Randy Scott; 2/11/2022 8 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Nicole Briscoe and Gary Striewski; 3/10/2022 7 p.m. TNT “NBA Tip-Off,” Presented By Carmax With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 3/14/2022 7:30 p.m. “Nuggets vs. 76ers” ESPN, Presented By State Farm  With Mike Breen, Hubie Brown, and Monica McNutt; 3/20/2022 7:30 p.m. “Celtics Pregame Live,” NBC Sports Boston, Presented By TD Bank With Amina Smith, Eddie House, and Brian Scalabrine; 3/21/2022 7 p.m. “Brooklyn Nets Pregame” on YES, Presented By Fanduel Sportsbook With Bob Lorenz, Frank Isola, and Michael Grady; 3/26/2022 4:30 p.m.; 3/30/2022 9:30 p.m. “Pelicans Live,” Presented By Fanduel Sportsbook With Erin Hartigan, David Wesley, and Antonio Daniels; 4/2/2022 7 p.m. “Brooklyn Nets Pregame” on YES (Yankees Entertainment And Sports Network), presented by Fanduel Sportsbook With Nancy Newman, Kerry Kittles, and Michael Grady; 4/3/2022 12:30 p.m. “Celtics Pregame Live,” NBC Sports Boston, Presented By TD Bank With Abby Chin, Chris Forsberg, Amina Smith, and Brian Scalabrine; 4/7/2022 7 p.m. TNT “NBA Tip-Off” Presented By Carmax With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 4/11/2022 12:30 p.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Zubin Mehenti and Max McGree; 3/6/2022 5:30 p.m.; 12/3/2021, 12/30/2021, 6:30 p.m., 12/5/2021 3 p.m., 1/15/2022 7 p.m., 1/19/2022 7:30 p.m., 2/9/2022, 2/11/2022; 2/24/2022 6:30 p.m., 2/26/2022 6:30 p.m. 3/12/2022 7:30 p.m., 3/18/2022 7 p.m., “Cavaliers Live,” Presented By Toyota With Jeff Phelps, Campy Russell, Serena Winters, John Michael; 10/26/2021 8 p.m., 11/10/2021 7:30 p.m. 1/24/2022 8 p.m., 2/10/2022 8 p.m., 3/3/2022 8 p.m., 3/18/2022 7 p.m., 3/30/2022 6:30 p.m., 4/1/2022 6:30 p.m., 4/10/2022 10 p.m. “Mavericks Live” Presented By Jack Daniels Bally Sports Southwest With Dana Larsen, Brian Dameris, Devin Harris, Marc Stein, Jeff “Skin” Wade. 

Regular Season Games

Eastern Conference: Atlanta Hawks Games, Bally Sports South With Bob Rathbun, Dominique Wilkins, and Sideline Reporter: Laura Jbara; Boston Celtics Games, NBC Sports Boston With Mike Gorman, Brian Scalabrine, and Sideline Reporter(s): Abby Chin and Amina Smith; “Celtics Halftime Live” Presented By Stop & Shop With Amina Smith and Eddie House; Brooklyn Nets Games on YES (Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network) With Ian Eagle/Ryan Ruocco, Sarah Kustok, Richard Jefferson, and Sideline Reporter(s): Michael Grady; Charlotte Hornets Games, Bally Sports Southeast With Eric Collins, Dell Curry, and Sideline Reporter(s): Ashley Shahahmadi; Chicago Bulls Games, NBC Sports Chicago With Adam Amin and Stacey King and Robbie Hummel; Cleveland Cavaliers Games, Bally Sports Ohio, Presented By Toyota With John Michael, Austin Carr, Sideline Reporter(s): Andre Knott and then Serena Winters; Detroit Pistons Games, Bally Sports Detroit With George Blaha/Johnny Kane and Greg Kelser, Sideline Reporter(s): Johnny Kane, Brooke Fletcher, and Devin Gardner; Indiana Pacers Games, Bally Sports Indiana With Chris Denari, Quinn Buckner, and Sideline Reporter(s): Jeremiah Johnson; Miami Heat Games, Bally Sports Sun With Eric Reid, John Crotty, Sideline Reporter(s): Jason Jackson/Will Manso/Kristen Hewitt; Milwaukee Bucks Games, Bally Sports Wisconsin With Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson/Stephen Bardo, Sideline Reporter(s): Zora Stephenson/Dario Melendez; New York Knicks Games, MSG Network (Madison Square Garden Network), Presented By Chase With Mike Breen/Kenny Albert/Ed Cohen, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Sideline Reporter(s): Rebecca Haarlow,; Orlando Magic Games, Bally Sports Florida With David Steele, Jeff Turner, and Sideline Reporter(s): Dante Marchitelli and Mackenzie Thirkill; Philadelphia 76ers Games, NBC Sports Philadelphia With Kate Scott and Alaa Abdelnaby; and Washington Wizards Games, NBC Sports Washington With Justin Kutcher, Drew Gooden, and Sideline Reporter(s) Chris Miller. 

 Western Conference: Dallas Mavericks Games, Bally Sports Southwest With Mark Followill and Derek Harper; Denver Nuggets Games, Altitude Sports and Entertainment With Chris Marlowe, Scott Hastings, Sideline Reporter(s):Vic Lombardi, Chris Dempsey, and Katy Winge; Golden State Warriors Games, NBC Sports Bay Area With Bob Fitgerald and Kelenna Azubuike; Houston Rockets Games, AT&T Sportsnet Southwest With Craig Ackerman, Ryan Hollins, and Sideline Reporter(s): Cayleigh Griffin; Los Angeles Clippers Games, Bally Sports SO CAL With Brian Sieman, Jim Jackson, Mike Fratello, Sideline Reporter: Kristina Pink and Jaime Maggio; Los Angeles Lakers Games, Spectrum Sportsnet With Bill Macdonald, Stu Lantz, and Sideline Reporter(s): Mike Trudell; Memphis Grizzlies Games, Bally Sports Southeast With Pete Pranica, Brevin Knight, and Sideline Reporter(s): Rob Fischer; Minnesota Timberwolves Games, Bally Sports North With Dave Benz, Jim Petersen, and Sideline Reporter(s): Katie Storm; New Orleans Pelicans Games, Bally Sports New Orleans With Joel Meyers, Antonio Daniels, and Sidelines Reporter(s): Jennifer Hale; Oklahoma City Thunder Games, Bally Sports Oklahoma With Chris Fisher, Michael Cage, and Sideline Reporter(s): Nick Gallo and Paris Lawson; Phoenix Suns Games, Bally Sports Arizona With Kevin Ray and Eddie Johnson; Portland Trail Blazers Games, ROOT Sports Northwest With Kevin Calabro, Lamar Hurd, and Sideline Reporter(s): Brooke Olzendam; Sacramento Kings Games, NBC Sports California With Mark Jones/ Kyle Draper and Kate Christensen; San Antonio Spurs Games, Bally Sports Southwest With Bill Land, Sean Elliott, and Michelle Beadle; and Utah Jazz Games, AT&T Sportsnet Rocky Mountain With Craig Bolerjack, Thurl Bailey, and Holly Rowe. 

National Coverage (Regular Season): 11/5/2022 10 p.m. “Pelicans vs. Warriors” ESPN, Presented By State Farm With Ryan Ruocco and Mark Jackson; 11/10/2022 7:30 p.m. “Pistons vs. Rockets” ESPN, Presented By State Farm With Dave Pasch, Jeff Van Gundy, Monica McNutt; 11/16/2021 10 p.m. “76ers vs. Jazz” TNT, Presented By State Farm With Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, and Kristen Ledlow; 12/3/2021 10 p.m. “Suns vs. Warriors” ESPN, Presented By State Farm With Ryan Ruocco, Mark Jackson, and Malika Andrews; 12/14/2021 10 p.m. “Suns vs. Trail Blazers” TNT, Presented By State Farm With Kevin Harlan, Stan Van Gundy, and Jared Greenberg; 1/20/2022 10 p.m. “Pacers vs. Warriors” TNT, Presented By State Farm With Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, and Stephanie Ready; 1/28/2022 7:30 p.m. “Lakers vs. Hornets” ESPN, Presented By State Farm and “NBA Courtside,” Presented By Doordash With Ryan Ruocco, Hubie Brown, and Israel Gutierrez; 1/28/2022 10 p.m. “Bucks vs. Knicks” ESPN, Presented By State Farm With Dave Pasch and Doris Burke; 2/24/2022 7:30 p.m. “Celtics vs. Nets” TNT, presented by State Farm With Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, and Stephanie Ready; 2/27/2022 1 p.m. “76ers vs. Knicks”  ABC Sunday Showcase, Presented By Reese’s With Mark Jones, Doris Burke, and Cassidy Hubbarth; 3/1/2022 10 p.m. “Mavericks vs. Lakers” TNT, Presented By State Farm With Ian Eagle, Jim Jackson, and Nabil Karim; 3/6/2022 1 p.m. “Nets vs. Celtics” ABC Sunday Showcase, Presented By Reese’s With Mark Jones, Doris Burke, and Cassidy Hubbarth; 3/8/2022 10 p.m. “Bucks vs. Lakers” TNT, Presented By State Farm With Ian Eagle, Jim Jackson, and Allie LaForce; 3/11/2022 7:30 p.m.; 3/12/2022 8:30 p.m. “Bucks vs. Warriors” ABC Saturday Prime Time, Presented By MetaQuest With Mike  Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, and Lisa Salters; 3/15/2022 12:35 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter With Scott Van Pelt” from Washington, D.C. 3/22/2022 7:30 p.m. “Hawks vs. Knicks” NBA on TNT, presented by State Farm With Spero Dedes, Greg Anthony, and Jared Greenberg; 3/23/2022 10 p.m. “76ers vs. Lakers” ESPN, Presented By State Farm With Mark Jones, Mark Jackson, and Israel Gutierrez; 3/30/2022 10 p.m. “Suns vs. Warriors” ESPN, Presented By State Farm With Dave Pasch and Richard Jefferson;  4/5/2022 8 p.m. “Bucks vs. Bulls” ESPN, Presented By State Farm With Ryan Ruocco and Doris Burke and “NBA Courtside,” Presented By Doordash With Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Jalen Rose, Michael Wilbon; 4/7/2022 10 p.m. “Lakers vs. Warriors” TNT, Presented By State Farm With Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, and Allie LaForce;

2022 NBA Play-In/Postseason Coverage: 3/7/2022 12:30 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter;” 4/17/2022 3 p.m.; 5/23/2022 8 p.m. “NBA Countdown” on ESPN and/or ABC, Presented By Chime With Mike Greenberg, Stephen A Smith, Jalen Rose, Michael Wilbon, and Adrian Wojnarowski; 4/17/2022-5/26/2022 Playoff Games on TNT/NBATV, Presented By AT&T 5G, First Round, Presented By Google Pixel; East & West Semifinals Coverage, presented by Clorox with Spero Dedes & Greg Anthony; Kevin Harlan & Reggie Miller; Gus Johnson & Greg Anthony; Kevin Calabro & Greg Anthony; Brian Anderson and Stan Van Gundy; Sideline Reporters: Stephanie Ready; Dennis Scott; Rebecca Haarlow; Nabil Karim, Matt Winer; Chris Haynes; Allie LaForce; 4/16/2022-5/15/2022 NBA on ESPN/ABC First Round, Presented By Google Pixel; East and West Semifinals, Presented By Chipotle, With Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mark Jackson; Dave Pasch, Hubie Brown, and Israel Gutierrez; Ryan Ruocco and Richard Jefferson; Dave Pasch, and JJ Redick; Mark Jones and Doris Burke; Beth Mowins and Jeff Van Gundy; Mark Jones and JJ Redick: Sideline Reporters: Ros Gold-Onwude, Monica McNutt, Cassidy Hubbarth, Lisa Salters, Jorge Sedano, Malika Andrews; 4/23/2022 7:30 p.m. “Celtics vs. Nets” Game 3 First-Round, Presented By Nerdwallet With Ian Eagle, Sara Kustok, and Michael Grady; 4/23/2022 12 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter With Scott Van Pelt” from Washington, D.C.;  5/17/2022-5/29/2022 8:30 p.m. 2022 Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN/ABC, Presented By AT&T 5G “Boston Celtics versus Miami Heat” With Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, and Lisa Salters; 5/18/2022-5/26/2022 9 p.m. 2022 Western Conference Finals on TNT, Presented By AT&T 5G “Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks” With Kevin Harlan, Stan Van Gundy, Reggie Miller and Allie LaForce; 6/2/2022-6/13/2022 9 p.m. 2022 NBA Finals on ABC, Presented By YouTubeTV With Mark Jones/Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, and Lisa Salters (Halftime Report With Mike Greenberg/Malika Andrews, Stephen A. Smith, Jalen Rose, and Michael Wilbon). 

 Playoff Pregame/Postgame Shows: 4/17/2022-5/26/2022 11:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m. “Inside the NBA,” Presented By Kia on TNT With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 4/18/2022 12:30 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Max McGee and Zubin Mehenti; 4/21/2022 12 a.m.; 4/24/2022, 5/4/2022 12:30 a.m.; 5/28/2022 1 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” from Los Angeles, CA With Neil Everett and Ashley Brewer, Stan Verrett and Ashley Brewer, Neil Everett and Stan Verrett; 4/22/2022-6/13/2022 6 p.m., 1 a.m. & 4 a.m. NBATV’s, “Playoff Central Live” Presented By State Farm & AT&T 5G With Kristen Ledlow/Chris Miles/Ro Parrish, Sam Mitchell, Steve Smith, Tony Delk, Carlos Boozer, Dominique Wilkins, Brendan Haywood, Shaun Powell, and Grant Hill; 4/22/2022 6:30 p.m., 4/23/2022 7 p.m.; 4/24/2022 12:30 p.m.; 5/12/2022 6:30 p.m. “NBA Countdown” ESPN & ABC, Presented By Mtn Dew, and Chime With Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, JJ Redick, and Jalen Rose; 5/2/2022 1 a.m.; ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Zubin Mehenti and Max McGee, with reports from Jamal Collier, Kendra Andrews, Brian Windhorst, and Ohm Youngmisuk; 4/22/2022 8:30 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Gary Striewski and Christine Williamson 5/12/2022 12 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter With Scott Van Pelt” from Washington, D.C.; 5/24/2022 6 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Max McGee and Zubin Mehenti 5/4/2022 1 a.m.; 5/27/2022 7 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” With Gary Striewski and Randy Scott; 5/7/2022 12 a.m., 5/14/2022 12:30 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter With Scott Van Pelt” from Washington, D.C.; 6/2/2022-6/13/2022 8 p.m. (ESPN) & 8:30 p.m. (ABC) “NBA Countdown,” Presented By Doordash With Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Jalen Rose, Michael Wilbon, Adrian Wojnarowski; Toyota Halftime/MetaQuest Halftime of 2022 NBA Finals on ABC With Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Jalen Rose, and Michael Wilbon.