We know the truth about Shaq and Kobe

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

ALL HAIL THE 80S: As a part of our Decades Project, Paul Flannery remembers the 1980s NBA with immense fondness. He also admits to liking a lot of metal, but don’t hold that against him.

TOP 100: Every summer SI.com ranks the top 100 players in the NBA. The first half of the 2016 project is up.

THE Z-BO ERA: Is Zach Randolph (and by extension, Memphis) running out of time?

WORK BEEF: Kobe went on Shaq’s podcast show so they could convince the world they would not come to blows if they met in the public. Mission accomplished? What struck me in listening to the conversation was that their relationship actually isn’t friendly at all. Based on the 20-minute window we got, I’d call it “cordial.” The bits that were supposed to make us believe it’s all love (Shaq calling Kobe at 3 a.m. before big games) honestly feel like bare minimum superstar teammate interactions. I’m also not sure why Shaq is so proud of the Lakers winning three out of their four trips to the finals (he repeatedly cites “3 in 4” as a major accomplishment of the duo) when the threepeat itself is way more impressive. The 2004 Finals loss is better forgotten by both dudes and the city of Los Angeles.

OKAY: The Suns do not plan to give in and trade Markieff Morris. I’m sure training camp will be just lovely.

O CANADA: Kevin Pelton on how damn good the Canadian men’s basketball team is going to be soon.

NOTE TO SELF: Don’t play against Dwyane Wade in dodgeball.

WELP: Chuck Hayes becomes the second big man to choose the Clippers over the Rockets this summer.

LOW-KEY SMART DEAL: The Lakers picked up Marcelo Huertas. I keep saying it, but the Lakers are going to be better than you think.

ENJOY: Grantland’s second annual NBA Video Music Awards.

Happy Tuesday. See you next time.