Good morning. That’s right: After a summer of 3-1 jokes about the Warriors, a Cleveland team gave up a 3-1 lead in the World Series. The Sports Gods are hilarious, y’all. Let’s basketball.
R.I.P. Warriors 3-1 memes
Good morning. We have that and more in Thursday’s NBA newsletter.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
WHILE YOU WERE WATCHING A 108-YEAR-OLD CURSE GET BROKEN: Eric Bledsoe had a dope game-winning three to give the Suns their first win of the season. But like no one saw it because it happened with Game 7 of the World Series in extra innings. Still counts, though! (Brandon Knight also had a monster dunk in this game.)
OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPENED: DeMar DeRozan scored 30 again. James Harden had another 30-15 game. The Thunder stayed undefeated. The Pelicans and Sixers and Wizards stayed winless. The Grizzlies and Pels somehow finished regulation tied 75-75.
HOW DOES IT FEEL: Luke Walton is no longer a Warrior, but he felt free enough to get in a 3-1 joke at Cleveland’s expense. As did several other NBA players on Twitter, including Draymond Green. The tables haven’t turned. THE TABLES ARE ROUND.
MEANWHILE ... J.R. Smith was in a suite at Game 7 without a shirt (quelle surprise) and LeBron was pumped about a late Cleveland home run.
ONE & NONE: I wrote about the new Ben Simmons documentary with an eye on the current players’ refusal to fight the age minimum, and what that means for future Ben Simmonses. Beyond that — I’ll let the piece speak for itself — I will say I found the doc fascinating and a vital window into the Simmons origin story. Obviously crucial for Sixers fans, though most basketball fans will enjoy the window it provides. It debuts Friday on Showtime.
SCORES GALORE ...
Raptors 113, Wizards 103
Sixers 93, Hornets 109
Pistons 101, Nets 109
Rockets 118, Knicks 99
Lakers 123, Hawks 116
Pelicans 83, Grizzlies 89 (OT)
Bulls 100, Celtics 107
Mavericks 81, Jazz 97
Blazers 115, Suns 118 (OT)
Thunder 85, Clippers 83
KING’S COURT: On the Drive and Kick, Paul Flannery and John Gonzalez discuss how we’re underrating the Cavaliers.
HOW IT ALL WENT WRONG: Metta World Peace on his regrets from years gone by.
SWITCH: How did rookie Memphis coach Dave Fizdale convince Zach Randolph to come off the bench? Chris Mannix explains. (You can tell Fizz reads or is at least conversant in modern behavior change literature.)
HOW HOWARD FITS: Howard Megdal on the fit so far for Dwight Howard in Atlanta.
HUH: It turns out that if you waive youth sports fees for low-income kids, you’ll get a lot more participation from said low-income kids if you don’t require their families to submit intrusive financial information. Via REDEF.
CUE THE BENNY HILL: A hilarious 21 seconds starring the Hornets and Sixers.
AND FINALLY: Sam Dekker had without question the funniest play of the season to date. Who hit him with the red shell, huh?
NEXT UP: Thursday has five games for your enjoyment, including your usual TNT doubleheader starring Celtics-Cavs (8 p.m. ET) and the main event, Thunder-Warriors (10:30 p.m.). Can’t wait.
Be excellent to each other.
See More:
