My brain can’t process LeBron James’ new dribble move

LeBron James went around the back to nutmeg his own screen-setting teammate and split two defenders and finished by scoring a layup (with a foul).

I repeat: James went around the back to nutmeg his own screen-setting teammate and split two defenders and scored a layup (with a foul).

I see it. I study it. I still can’t quite figure out how he did it with this world’s gravity and natural law and everything.

Anyways, the Sixers got the convincing road victory in spite of James’ brilliance. Philadelphia is one of the saltier clubs in the NBA, but it was all love afterward: Joel Embiid was all smiles about playing against James and James commended Ben Simmons (whose agent is James’ consigliere, Rich Paul). Nothing that happened here dispelled the possibility that James might consider completing the process next season ...

Meanwhile, Philadelphia is still busy upending the Eastern Conference. It’s pretty clear they can beat any single team in the conference any given night. No one is going to want to face them in the first round.

LAL 131, MIA 113
PHI 108, CLE 97
BKN 111, SAC 116 (OT)
MIN 99, POR 108

The 13 most disrespectful things from James Harden’s crossover-and-stare of Wesley Johnson.

The case for Luka Doncic to go No. 1 in the NBA draft.

Speaking of which, two members of the Awful Eight were in action Thursday ... against each other! Yet the team with incentive to lose (the Kings) beat the only dreadful team without it (the Nets) in overtime thanks to De’Aaron Fox. Sacramento’s win puts Orlando is the No. 1 position in the reverse standings, with Memphis No. 2, Phoenix No. 3, Sacramento, Dallas, and Atlanta tied for No. 4. The Nets remain No. 7 with Chicago still at No. 8.

I wrote about how we judge team-builders in the NBA and whether bold strokes or small miracles should carry more respect.

Watch out NCAA and G League and, uh, whatever Lil’ Baller League that dude is cooking up. Australia is coming for NBA prospects who don’t want to spend their post-high school year in college or on a G League charter bus.

I’m here for any and all Fred VanVleet coverage. Even better if it’s from Eric Koreen.

I have mostly ignored the Isaiah Thomas experience in Los Angeles to date because, as a fan of I.T. the human, it all makes me too sad. But it turns out he’s shooting his way into form. (Also, Lonzo Ball is pretty good.)

Giannis Antetokounmpo desperately wants to tell good jokes. We can’t have everything, I suppose. (Alex Wong is one of our best basketball writers working today.)

Is Derrick Rose done?

The Blazer’s Edge community continues to do amazing things for disadvantaged kids in Portland. This year’s Blazer’s Edge Night sent 2,306 kids and chaperones to a game!

Your unexpected buyout winner of 2018: Shabazz Muhammad, who exits Tom Thibodeau’s domain to join the Bucks.

Uh, the owner of Philadelphia 76ers is involved in the latest Jared Kushner White House scandal.

The unsung hero of the Wizards’ current run: Markieff Morris.

Here’s what is coming on national TV over the next three days. On Friday, ESPN has a big Raptors-Wizards tilt at 8 p.m. ET and an intriguing, impactful Timberwolves-Jazz battle at 10:30. On Saturday, ABC has Celtics-Rockets at 8:30 ET ... that should be fun. On Sunday we’ll get Sixers-Bucks at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN in a huge playoff seeding match-up. Good weekend for basketball!

Be excellent to each other.