Some things can be simultaneously appalling and hilarious. This is especially possible in an entertainment realm, where the stakes are fairly self-contained and don’t affect the lives of the commons. Such is DeMarcus Cousins’ decision to take $5.3 million from the Warriors. It is hilarious. It is appalling.
This next championship ring is going on the Warriors’ middle fingers
We have that and more in Tuesday’s NBA newsletter.
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Why is it appalling? Because the dynastic Warriors just added an all-star center in his prime — albeit coming off major surgery, and only for one year — to a team that has four all-stars in the starting lineup already. The Warriors were the prohibitive favorite before they signed a freaking All-NBA 27-year-old to a contract below the NBA average salary.
Why is it funny? Because the dynastic Warriors just added an all-star center in his prime — albeit coming off major surgery, and only for one year — to a team that has four all-stars in the starting lineup already. The Warriors were the prohibitive favorite before they signed a freaking All-NBA 27-year-old to a contract below the NBA average salary.
Look, if you don’t laugh you’re going to cry. Choose wisely. It’s sports.
Los Brongeles
We survived Day 2 of LeBron James as an LA Laker. It still feels weird to write. I collected 44 thoughts on the move, the fall-out, the inner meaning. Paul Flannery took a deep dive look at the East without LeBron, which is now re-centering around the Celtics and Sixers. Seerat Sohi wrote that LeBron is always looking for the best story, and the Lakers provided it.
Harrson Faigen writes that winning the LeBron sweepstakes validates Magic Johnson’s debated free agency team-building strategy. Meanwhile, the iconic LeBron billboard in Cleveland will come down this week. What happens to Lonzo Ball now?
Bill Plaschke calls LeBron the greatest player to ever wear a Lakers jersey. Not the greatest Laker, but the greatest player who was a Laker. I’ve had LeBron fighting with noted Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the No. 2 spot among all-time players for a few years now, and I do think he has exceeded Cap. Has he exceeded Michael Jordan? It depends on which day you ask me.
Links galore
Reminder: here’s our signing tracker and our rumors tracker. Other players getting deals on Monday include J.J. Redick, Rajon Rondo, Julius Randle, and Seth Curry.
Holy smokes, this FIBA FIGHT between Australia and the Philippines is pretty incredible, even for a FIBA FIGHT. Thon Maker with flying knees, airborne chairs, legit pummeling! We have it all here, folks.
Looking ahead to the next chapter of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry.
Wait a second ... is Sue Bird the second coming of Larry Bird???
NBA players react to the Boogie shocker. How many players will make less than Boogie will next season? Zach Lowe on how the Boogie deal came together and why it may not matter. Kevin Pelton analyzes the on-court impact.
And finally: a powerful essay about Brittney Griner, representation, and salvation by Tamryn Spruill. Read it.
Be excellent to each other.
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