How to do it all wrong, starring the Cleveland Cavaliers

There are few graceful ways to die, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are living proof. The Cavs lost LeBron James on July 2, and committed to easing into a new identity without scraping bottom. That idea lasted six games. Now that summer denial I’d previously written about is being exposed in the ugliest fashion possible.

The Athletic’s Joe Vardon has the gruesome report from the scene. The veterans are skeptical of Collin Sexton, J.R. Smith is out of the rotation while waiting on a trade, a former assistant coach has sued the franchise for age discrimination because Ty Lue and upper management had allegedly openly discussed the desire to hire younger coaches when dismissing him, and Kyle Korver has been betrayed.

The Korver thing is especially interesting — reportedly, part of the (unwritten) deal when Korver signed his current contract was the Cavaliers would move him if LeBron left before the deal was up. LeBron left, Korver asked to be moved and ... nope. He’s stuck. Bad form by the Cavaliers.

The Sexton stuff is actually shockingly normal: veterans always despise rookies! Even LeBron’s veterans his rookie season in Cleveland tried to freeze him out.

Everything else? Not normal, and bad. This is a textbook example of how not to die gracefully.

Kings 109, Bucks 144
Sixers 97, Nets 122
Knicks 95, Wizards 108
Magic 117, Spurs 110
Grizzlies 100, Suns 102
Timberwolves 81, Blazers 111
Raptors 121, Lakers 107

On National TV:
Pelicans at Thunder, 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Grizzlies at Warriors, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV

Selections from League Pass:
Heat at Pistons, 7 p.m. ET
Rockets at Pacers, 7 p.m. ET
Celtics at Nuggets, 9 p.m. ET
Raptors at Jazz, 9 p.m. ET

Full schedule here.

Victor Oladipo hit a bad, bad three to beat the Celtics. Signature shot. Signature win. Pacers are right there in the East race.

Magic Johnson apparently yelled at Luke Walton and put some (more) pressure on him to get the offensive system installed. Has ... has Magic ever watched a LeBron James offense? But then Magic said he’s not going to fire Luke this season so everything’s fine. (Right?)

Whitney Medworth’s B-Sides begin with the Wolves’ absolutely perfect Prince-inspired city jerseys.

Devin Booker game winner!

I wrote about De’Aaron Fox and the impacts of stardom on a moribund franchise.

Kyrie Irving is trying hard on defense, and that’s making a difference.

BOL BOL. Necesito más.

Bob Cousy read Ta-Nehisi Coates and decided at that point to apologize to Bill Russell for not supporting him as he faced racism in Boston as teammates five decades ago.

Inside the Capital City Go-Go’s first game.

Zach Lowe’s weekly 10 things column.

Marcin Gortat hasn’t been helpful to the Clippers. He got infected by Zards flu before the trade, I guess.

The Suns cut Tyson Chandler free. He’s signing with the Lakers.

Smart Bruno Passos piece on the difference between pace and tempo, and how hard the Spurs’ offense works.

Dante Exum has been really good to start the season. What can the Jazz do about it?

Grappling with fandom and Derrick Rose in Minnesota.

Be excellent to each other.