Good morning. Let’s basketball.
Get well, Lamar Odom
Good morning. We have news on L.O. and more in Wednesday’s NBA newsletter.
THAT KIND OF KID: Paul Flannery spent some time with Damian Lillard, the newly unquestioned alpha and omega of the Trail Blazers. Learn about why the Blazers were so high on him in the draft process, how Lillard feels about LaMarcus Aldridge’s departure and like a dozen other things. Some great quotes from one of the more interesting young players in the league. Go read it.
GET WELL, L.O.: Lamar Odom was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel on Tuesday, according to reports. He was rushed to a hospital. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a big rebound in this life. This powerful Lee Jenkins feature on L.O. from 2009 went around Tuesday night -- this is a man who has known more tragedy than any person should bear.
POST-THABO: I wrote about why the Thabo Sefolosha case ends any and all demands that pro athletes “stick to sports.”
ACCURATE: Seth Rosenthal accurately diagnoses the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors with Hate Me Now syndrome: the Warriors are openly trying to become the cocky villain. They want us to hate them. To which I say: gladly.
PREVIEWTOWN: Surprise! Professor Flannery and I are both really high on the Cavaliers and think that, barring catastrophe, there’s little chance another East team will be in the Finals. Here’s Fear The Sword’s take. We don’t expect the Timberwolves to challenge for the playoffs, but acknowledge what there is to watch in Minnesota: youth and beauty. Here’s what Canis Hoopus has to say about the season to come.
INTERESTING: Kirk Goldsberry graphs up something we’ve known for a while but that bears emphasis: one of the big problems with mid-range shots is that they are often created off of the dribble. Unassisted shots are worse than assisted ones! But man, Goldsberry sells the hell out of New Basketball concepts with his charts. Glorious.
WE ARE ALL WITNESSES ... of the mini-version of the Indiana Pacers mascot losing its head on a trampoline dunk. How many lives must be scarred by preseason rust?!
SPEAKING OF DIABETES ... Remember when J.R. Smith bought cotton candy during a preseason game a couple days ago? He was buying the cotton candy for golfer Jason Day’s son, who was sitting courtside with his family. That’s just fantastic.
GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT: Frank Kaminsky doing some incredible dancing for fans in Shanghai. Don’t hurt ‘em, Tank!
AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT: Andrew Sharp on Otto Porter. It’s time.
THIS IS IT: The final game of the 2015 WNBA Finals is Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The Lynx host the Fever. Should be an epic game given how tight the series has been.
Happy Wednesday. See you next time.
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