Good morning. We miss you already, Steve Nash.
That and much more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.
Good morning. This is Ricky O’Donnell filling in for Ziller. Let’s basketball.
The end of Steve Nash: What a sad end to a brilliant career. The Lakers have ruled out the 40-year-old point guard for the season thanks to recurring nerve damage in his back. Remember, it was just last week Nash hurt himself picking up bags. While he’s saying he hasn’t decided whether or not he’s going to retire, it seems like retirement has chosen him.
In better news ... our NBA preview is here: We think you’ll like it. In addition to a variety of tremendous features (more on those in a second), the preview also includes team-by-team previews that touch on style of play, offseason changes and best and worst case scenarios for the upcoming season.
20 maps that explain the NBA: Tom Ziller put together a great look at the past and present of the NBA visualized by maps. There’s a lot here: from identifying where NBA players come from to tracking the location of Kobe’s scoring outbursts, this is a fun and compelling read all the way through. Steph Curry vs. the Golden Gate Bridge is a personal favorite.
Paving the path to relevance: Paul Flannery spoke with players and front office personal from three small market teams fighting to remain relevant. Mike Conley spoke with Flannery about the Grizzlies’ rise to prominence and how Memphis can take the next step. Sacramento and Charlotte, meanwhile, are fighting just to get out of the lottery. It’s a fantastic look at team building with quality storytelling throughout.
A new sheriff in town: Michele Roberts sounds like a boss. Our Sarah Kogod interviewed the new head of the NBAPA to talk about her rise in the world of law and how she can change the fortunes of the players during negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement.
The triangle’s holy war: Mike Prada and Doug Eberhardt break down the roots of the Triangle Offense and discuss how Derek Fisher and Steve Kerr could make it relevant again this season. The question is, did it ever really leave?
Why we watch: Every team is worth watching for one reason or another .... yes, even the 76ers. Eddie Maisonet, Seth Rosenthal and I spin through the league to let y’all know about some things we’re really excited about.
How LeBron James changed the NBA landscape: Our studio team put together a cool video showing how LeBron changed everything this offseason.
Drazen Petrovic, a lifetime later: The former Nets star would have turned 50 years old this week. David J. Roth remembers him.
Hardwood Paroxysm released a preview, too: Support good basketball writing. The young and talented HP crew churned out another massive preview full of great content. It’s only $3.
Brad Stevens is (probably) in it for the long haul: Celtics Blog dispels the notion that Stevens could bolt the C’s after this season.
Jeanie Buss just called all of us ‘losers’: Jeanie Buss doesn’t like what certain people are saying about Kobe. Our wonderful Lakers community Silver Screen and Roll has more on her latest comments.
What’s up with Joakim Noah’s knee?: Jason Patt looks at the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and his recovery from knee surgery.
College basketball is coming soon, too!: College basketball is cool too, you guys. The SB Nation countdown is on the verge of the top 10 after previewing (future NBA coach?) Fred Hoiberg and No. 11 Iowa State. Get caught up on every preview from Kevin Zimmerman and I.
