Good morning. Let’s basketball.
Good morning. Anthony Davis is now the leader of the free world.
That and more in Monday’s NBA newsletter. SUBSCRIBE!
REST IN PEACE, DEAN: Dean Smith, one of the most important basketball coaches in basketball history, died on Saturday at the age of 83. Alexander Wolff’s obituary did a wonderful job of explaining what made Dean such a legend. Dean’s career was spent at the college level, but his NBA shadow is massive considering his incredible coaching tree and pioneer status in advanced basketball metrics. That famous UNC fraternity that ends up running entire franchises is all due to Dean. The world is lesser without his presence.
READY OR NOT: Paul Flannery’s Sunday Shootaround returned with a deep dive on Anthony Davis reported from New Orleans. Monty Williams and Dell Demps talk about their philosophies in helping the 21-year-old reach his potential, and Davis discusses the myriad pressures on him. One important thing I took away from reading it: they don’t actually feel all that much pressure to make the playoffs this season. Check out the piece plus all of the other Shootaround goodies.
MORE LIKE STAPH INFUUUUUUU-- Blake Griffin will miss 10 days to six weeks recovering from minor surgery to deal with a staph infection in his elbow. That rules him out for the All-Star Game, which means that Damian Lillard is in.
BIG MEN BEATIN’ BUZZERS: On Friday Ant Man hit an absolutely ridiculous game-winning three. The angles are just impossible! On Sunday, DeMarcus Cousins shook free for a long game-winner himself. The West’s young bigs are okay.
SPEAKING OF BOOGIE ... After hitting that shot, Boogie had the weirdest media session of his career amid all the rumors his agents are trying to derail the Kings from hiring George Karl. Blake Ellington of Sactown Royalty has the Boogie clip and updates on that matter. It appears the deal could get done on Monday ... unless Boogie really is opposing the move.
DUNK OF THE FORTNIGHT: Gordon Hayward sends Miles Plumlee to his room. With no dessert!
THE MOXIE OF AN NYC BALLER: Neat piece by Benjamin Hoffman on what makes an New York basketball player.
NOT. NICE. Chris Paul hit a sweet jumper and shot a glare toward Kevin Durant on the sidelines. So Kevin Durant reminded Chris Paul that the Clippers were still losing to the Thunder by 20. Just a fantastic little Vine.
GOOD JAPE: The Grizzlies edged the Hawks on Sunday then called them them the “Haks” on Twitter because they ain’t get the W. Rude.
CRAZIEST FINISH OF THE WEEKEND: Thunder-Pelicans and Kings-Suns tried hard, but nothing was crazier than the Mavericks trailing by 11 with under two minutes to go ... and still beating the Blazers. (Okay, Pels-Thunder was probably crazier but the Mavericks’ win was totally amazing.)
UH ... LeBron is out here challenging Kevin Love on Twitter? Jason Lloyd has a good breakdown, per usual.
GOOD JOBS: Good job Grizzlies (for beating the Hawks), Hawks (for beating the Warriors) and Raptors (for beating the Spurs). Good job!
POP AT 1,000: Gregg Popovich’s next win will be No. 1,000 of his career. Buck Harvey takes us back to Win No. 1 in 1996.
MASCOT TIME!
ROLL OUT: Bango rollin’ up in the cold whip.
MASCOT TIME IS OVER!
LOOK AT THESE GUYS: “The Starters” get profiled in the New York Times.
THE ART OF ACCIDENTS: Mason Plumlee destroying a tray of beer, and it was beautiful.
STILL. NOT. NICE. You think you deserve KD’s All-Star spot? He’ll let you play him for it.
AIN’T NO LOVE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY: Kevin Love pretty much ruled out joining the Lakers. “So you’re saying there’s a chance,” the Lakers fan told himself.
DANG MAN: James “J.D.” “Jimmy” Dolan sent the equivalent of a “glazed donut face” letter to a mean, mad Knicks fan. (Howard Beck confirmed on Twitter than Dolan penned the letter.)
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT: Our sister site Vox landed a long, fascinating interview with President Obama. The presentation and execution and depth are all just outstanding. Check it out if you’re into that sort of thing.
Happy Monday. See you next time.
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