Around The League 2023-2024 Season

With just a little over a week remaining in the regular season, teams in both conferences continue to jockey for playoff positions.

Watched the Sixers beat the Heat in Miami

Watched the Knicks beat the Kings (and hopefully soften them up a bit for our game tonight)

While the play-in teams in the East are set, out West those teams have yet to be determined. The Kings would like to move up to #6. I would think that they have something to play for tonight. Which team blinks first will determine what happens. Both the Warriors and the Lakers are crawling up the butt end of the standings...lol

I have a strange feeling that the 6th place Suns may not be able to hold things together. The 5th place Mavs are not out of the woods yet either.

The Lakers have risen to 8th in the West.  Next targets are Nola and the Suns who play against each other today.

13 games scheduled today and several are quite meaningful

Heat @ Pacers (a win by the heat moves them up to 6th place over the Pacers
Pelicans 2 Suns .  The Suns already hold the tie breaker so this is a must win game for the Pelicans
Sixers @ Spurs - The 43-35 Sixers want to avoid the play-in round.  The Heat are  43-34 and Pacers 44-34.
Knicks @ Bucks -  Bucks have been crappy and knicks still less than 100%.
T'Wolves @ Lakers - WC top dogs still fighting and LAL 9 of 10 wins.
Bulls @ Magic - Magic looks to catch the Cavs.

I do not recall so much competition this late in a season.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2024/04/its-cardinal-sin-nba-player-could-face-permanent-ban-commissioner-says.html



‘It’s cardinal sin.’ NBA player could face permanent ban, commissioner says


Updated: Apr. 11, 2024, 6:48 a.m.|Published: Apr. 11, 2024, 6:47 a.m.


By Nick O'Malley | nomalley@masslive.com


Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter is accused of committing a “cardinal sin” in professional sports and could be facing expulsion from the NBA.

On Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver gave an update on the investigation into Porter and potential gambling-related activity. ESPN reported last month that the league is looking into “multiple instances of betting irregularities” involving prop bets over Porter’s playing time.


“I have an enormous range of discipline available to me. But it’s cardinal sin, what he’s accused of in the NBA, and the ultimate, extreme option I have is to ban him from the game. That’s the level of authority I have here,” Silver said Wednesday at a press conference.


“Because there’s nothing more serious, I think, around this league when it comes to gambling, and betting on our games, and that is a direct player involvement,” Silver continued. “The investigation is ongoing, but the consequences could be very severe.”

The investigation centers around games on Jan. 26 and March 30 where Porter played briefly before leaving the game. As first reported by ESPN, the games were two instances where betting the under on Porter’s production resulted in unusual winnings.

Per ESPN, the under on Porter’s 3-point attempts was the top money winner among NBA prop bets for the Jan. 26 game. Meanwhile, prop bets on Porter on March 30 “were the No. 1 moneymaker from the night in the NBA,” ESPN reports.

Sports betting has become a booming industry in recent years with its legalization resulting in significant marketing efforts by sportsbooks -- and leagues embracing betting in various ways. But as Silver noted, maintaining the integrity of games remains paramount for leagues.


According to the Associated Press, the league has strict rules in place barring players from wagering “money or anything of value on any game.” Additionally, players are required to attend anti-gambling training sessions each year.

The 24-year-old Porter is in his second NBA season and has appeared in 26 games this year. The power forward out of Missouri has averaged 4.4 points, 2.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.


Bob
MY NOTE: He's played 360 minutes this season, 414 in his total 2 year career. Banning him would be a low-cost message to the rest of the league about how serious the league is about gambling. He'd never be missed and he's a great "how-not-to" for young players.

.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2024/04/former-celtics-guard-doesnt-have-long-to-live-without-kidney-transplant.html


MY NOTE: Potentially very sad news.


Former Celtics guard doesn’t ‘have long to live’ without kidney transplant


Published: Apr. 10, 2024, 3:09 p.m.


By Lauren Campbell | LCampbell@masslive.com



In 2022, Nate Robinson revealed he had been dealing with kidney failure for the last four years and was undergoing treatment. Now in 2024, the former NBA guard said he needs a transplant in order to continue on with his life.

“I know that I don’t have long if I can’t get a kidney,” Robinson told Jake Nisse of The Daily Mail. “I know I’m not going to have long to live. So I just want to make the best of it as much as I can. Some people’s body reject dialysis. And thank God that mine accepts it and I can live.


“... If I didn’t go to dialysis, I wouldn’t live probably longer than a week or two. So it’s serious, can’t miss a day,” he continued. “I go in for four hours, three days a week, four hours a day. And they clean my blood to get my toxins out. And they help me out a lot because that’s how I’m living.”


Robinson, a first-round pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, played 11 seasons and won the Slam Dunk contest on three separate occasions. He played for eight teams, including the Boston Celtics.

The 39-year-old said in a November 2022 interview with Playmaker that while he was playing with the New York Knicks in 2006 he learned his high blood pressure caused damage to his kidneys, and that they’d inevitably fail at some point in his 30s.

“I thought I was young and invincible,” Robinson told Playmaker. “I didn’t know it was going to catch up to me.”

Robinson told Nisse that while his journey is a “rollercoaster,” he’s still trying to make the best of each day.


“And I still try to do all the things that I can to stay and feel normal as I can, stay as human as I can,” Robinson said.


Bob


.

https://hoopshype.com/lists/most-underpaid-nba-players-of-2023-24-so-far/?utm_medium=browser_notifications&utm_source=pushly&utm_campaign=4539657



Ranking: The most underpaid NBA players of 2023-24


By Frank Urbina | April 14, 2024



Recently, we looked at the most overpaid NBA players for the 2023-24 season.

Today, we’re taking a look at the more positive end of the spectrum as we examine the most underpaid players of this NBA season.

To determine that, we’re using our Real Value metric, which is derived from Global Rating, to find out which players have outperformed their 2023-24 salaries. Usually, that type of metric would favor players on their rookie-scale contracts, and there are some of those on this list. But dominating this ranking are the MVP-level superstars who are somehow even outperforming their max contracts.

Find out who exactly we’re talking about below.


1.  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City)


Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $33,386,850
Real Value: $75,343,814

Difference: +$41,956,964

According to Real Value, which values his output this season at $75.8 million, the most underpaid player in the NBA in 2023-24 has been Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has elevated his play to borderline MVP levels this year while putting up 30.4 points, 6.2 assists and 2.1 steals on 53.9 percent shooting.

Gilgeous-Alexander is in the second year of his rookie-scale max extension from 2021, which will pay him $179.3 million over five years, ending in 2026-27 when the Canadian guard will earn $40.8 million. What’s wild is that with the rate at which Gilgeous-Alexander has improved since getting to Oklahoma City, he’s set to be seriously underpaid in 2026-27 even when he’ll be earning nearly $41 million.

The former Kentucky standout isn’t the player with the highest Real Value this season, however, as that honor belongs to the next player on our list.

For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s contract and salary info, click here.


2.  Nikola Jokic (Denver)


Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $47,607,350
Real Value: $88,246,544

Difference: +$40,639,194

MVP anyone?

Denver Nuggets megastar Nikola Jokic certainly makes a strong case, as he has averaged 26.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.3 steals on 58.1 percent shooting. Our Real Value metric agrees with Jokic winning MVP (for a third time in his career), as the stat has Jokic’s output valued at $89.0 million for 2023-24, the highest mark of any player.

The only reason Jokic didn’t finish first in this ranking is that his actual salary for this season is $47.6 million, a fairer amount than what Gilgeous-Alexander is getting from the Thunder, though still an underpay of $41.4 million by the Nuggets.

Jokic is under contract through 2027-28 when he has a player option on the final year of his deal worth a whopping $62.8 million. What’s crazy is that Jokic, who will be just 32 by then, might be better served opting out of that absurd sum of money and hitting free agency again for an even bigger contract that offseason.

Just don’t be surprised if Jokic is underpaid on that contract, too.

For Nikola Jokic’s contract and salary info, click here.



3.  Anthony Edwards (Minnesota)


Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $13,534,817
Real Value: $49,013,840

Difference: +$35,479,023

On the final year of his rookie-scale contract and earning $13.5 million this season, Minnesota Timberwolves 2-guard Anthony Edwards is set to get a huge raise starting in 2024-25 when his five-year max extension, which could be worth up to $260 million, kicks in.

Even so, if Edwards maintains this level of play or improves on it (which seems likely) next year, he’ll still be considered underpaid according to our Real Value metric, which has him valued at $49.5 million for 2023-24. Edwards is set to earn $35.3 million next season, meaning he’s currently even outperforming a max-level salary – he’s been that good this year.

The former No. 1 overall pick is enjoying a career year and looks like a lock to make either 1st or 2nd Team All-NBA, as he’s putting up 26.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game on 46.2 percent shooting.

For Anthony Edwards’ contract and salary info, click here.


4.  Luka Doncic (Dallas)


Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $40,064,220
Real Value: $74,613,937

Difference: +$34,549,717

Earning $40.1 million this season, Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is being underpaid by $36.2 million, according to our Real Value metric, which values his output in 2023-24 at $76.3 million.

Making a late but serious charge at MVP for this year, Doncic has had a spectacular season, averaging a league-leading 33.9 points per game to go with 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.4 steals on 48.7 percent shooting, 38.2 percent from three (a career-best mark).

Even if it doesn’t happen his year, it feels like just a matter of time until Doncic breaks through and takes home regular-season MVP honors, as his play only continues to improve as he hits his mid-20s. The Mavericks being a healthy 50-30 this season has also helped his case.

Either way, even if he doesn’t win MVP this year, the fact that Doncic is still the third-most underpaid player in the league in 2023-24 despite already on a max contract is extremely promising for Dallas’ future as a team.

For Luka Doncic’s contract and salary info, click here.


5.  Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia)


Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $4,343,920
Real Value: $38,784,576

Difference: +$34,440,656

Like Edwards, Tyrese Maxey appearing on this list has more to do with him still being on his rookie-scale contract and less to do with his actual Real Value.

Now, that’s not to say Maxey hasn’t been great this season, as the Philadelphia 76ers star is making an All-NBA push on the campaign. It’s just that his Real Value pales in comparison to some of the MVP-level guys on this list.

Regardless, Maxey deserves a ton of credit for developing into an All-Star guard and keeping the Sixers afloat this season in Joel Embiid’s injury-related absence. On the year, the former Kentucky standout is averaging 25.9 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 44.8 percent from the floor, which Real Value deems worth $38.5 million, a $34.1 million difference from his actual salary this year of $4.3 million to make him one of this 2023-24’s most underpaid players.

For Tyrese Maxey’s contract and salary info, click here.


6.  Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee)


Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $45,640,084
Real Value: $78,133,484

Difference: +$32,493,400

Do you know how good a player has to be to be earning $45.6 million this season and still be considered underpaid by $34.2 million, according to Real Value? They have to be Giannis Antetokounmpo-level good, who’s accomplishing just that in 2023-24. The two-time league MVP is putting up 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks on 61.1 percent shooting this season, otherworldly numbers even by his illustrious standards.

It’s scary to think about what Antetokounmpo would be if he just had a reliable off-the-dribble or three-point jumper but even as is, he’s an all-time great, a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer and somehow one of the most underpaid players in the league despite being on a huge contract.

Antetokounmpo is under his current deal until 2027-28 when he has a player option on the final year of his contract worth $66.8 million, a mark that Real Value believes the Greek Freak is still outperforming this year, based on his $79.9 million Real Value.

Unreal output by one of the league’s best-ever players.

For Giannis Antetokounmpo’s contract and salary info, click here.


7.  Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana)


John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $5,808,435
Real Value: $36,482,575

Difference: +$30,674,140

Another player on the final year of his rookie-scale contract who’s about to see his contract size explode, Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, in the eyes of Real Value, has been underpaid by roughly $30.7 million this season, making him one of the most underpaid players in the league.

Haliburton is averaging 20.3 points, a league-leading 10.9 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in 2023-24 on 47.7 percent shooting. And if not for a mighty cold streak from beyond the arc (Haliburton has hit just 30.4 percent of his triples over the last 24 games), he’d likely rank even higher on this most-underpaid-players list.

Depending on if Haliburton makes All-NBA this season, which is starting to look like a stretch, his next contract will be worth either 25 percent of the salary cap (five years, $206 million) or 30 percent of the cap (five years, $260 million).

Either way, this is probably going to be the last year for Haliburton to find himself on a ranking such as this, as it’s unlikely he’ll be outperforming his future contract the way he has his rookie-scale contract unless he takes another massive leap as a player.

For Tyrese Haliburton’s contract and salary info, click here.


8.  Jalen Brunson (New York)


Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $26,346,666
Real Value: $55,607,548

Difference: +$29,260,882

Jalen Brunson, averaging 28.6 points and 6.7 assists on 48.0 percent shooting (40.2 percent from three), has become one of the best scoring point guards in the NBA, one who has been underpaid by $29.3 million this season, according to our Real Value metric.

Brunson will be eligible for an extension next season, which the Knicks would probably love to lock him down to, but if he waits to hit free agency instead (that would happen in the summer of 2025) to re-sign in New York, he’ll be eligible for roughly an extra $100 million, so it’ll be interesting to see which route the former Villanova standout decides to take.

With either contract, Brunson will still probably be underpaid, especially considering he’s still improving year over year, so Knicks fan need not worry as it is all but certain they’ll have their franchise cornerstone for many years to come.

For Jalen Brunson’s contract and salary info, click here.


9.  Paolo Banchero (Orlando)


Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $11,608,080
Real Value: $38,177,301

Difference: +$26,569,221

Former No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero has been great for the Orlando Magic, turning a franchise that was floundering for some time into a playoff-level team by just his second season.

On Year-2 of his rookie-scale contract, Banchero has been of tremendous value to Orlando this season, outperforming his deal by $26.6 million, according to Real Value, to make him one of this campaign’s most underpaid players.

The former Duke Blue Devil is averaging 22.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists on 45.5 percent shooting in 2023-24 while earning All-Star honors for the first – but certainly not last – time.

If Banchero takes another leap in 2024-25 (extremely likely), he’ll rank even higher up this list of most underpaid players when we repeat this exercise in a year, especially since he’ll still be on his rookie-scale contract while performing at an All-Star clip – if not higher.

For Paolo Banchero’s contract and salary info, click here.


10.  Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City)


John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $4,558,680
Real Value: $28,991,715

Difference: +$24,433,035

Yet another rookie-scale player exceeding salary expectations early on in his career, Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams has already developed into one of the better one-on-one bucket-getters in the league, particularly from the midrange, and a well-rounded scorer – and feisty defender – as well.

Williams is earning $4.6 million this season but Real Value believes he’s actually produced at the level of a player who should be earning $29.0 million, a $24.4 million underpay by the Thunder.

The former Santa Clara standout is putting up 19.2 points, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals on a very tidy 53.9 percent shooting mark, 42.7 percent from three, and has been a huge part of Oklahoma City’s 56-25 season so far.

For Jalen Williams’ contract and salary info, click here.


11.  Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City)


Cole Burston/Getty Images

Salary: $10,386,000
Real Value: $34,516,365

Difference: +$24,130,365

A teammate of Gilgeous-Alexander’s and Williams’, former No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren is having a fantastic rookie season, averaging 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks on 52.8 percent shooting.

The former Gonzaga Bulldog has performed at the level of a player Real Value deems worth $34.5 million this season while his actual salary for 2023-24 is $10.4 million, meaning he’s been underpaid by roughly $24.1 million in the eyes of our advanced metric.

Is it any surprise the Thunder are fighting for the one-seed in the Western Conference heading into the final game of the season considering how much value they’re getting from their three best players?

For Chet Holmgren’s contract and salary info, click here.


12.  Jayson Tatum (Boston)


Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $32,600,060
Real Value: $56,183,867

Difference: +$23,583,807

Finally, we finish our ranking with another MVP-level player hugely outperforming their max-level salary. In this case, we’re talking about Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum, a Top 5 player this year in the eyes of many, who has led Boston to the best record in the NBA at 63-18 while putting up 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game on 47.1 percent shooting.

Tatum is earning $32.6 million this season but Real Value believes he’s been worth $56.2 million for an underpay of $23.6 million by the Celtics. The former Duke Blue Devil is on the third year of a five-year max contract with Boston but will be able to hit free agency again in 2025 thanks to having a player option on the final year of his deal.

He probably won’t hit free agency then, however, as Tatum is in line for a record-breaking five-year, $330 million-plus contract extension this summer, one that would give him the richest contract in NBA history.

Hard to see Tatum, or the Celtics, passing up on that, especially if Boston meets expectations with a title run this postseason.

For Jayson Tatum’s contract and salary info, click here.


Bob


.

Boban Marjanovic deliberately missed a frito last night which got the fans free chicken.

Clippers management runs a promo that says that fans get free chicken (nuggets?) if an opposing player misses two fritos in a row.  Boban, who is a career 76% frito shooter, missed his first frito.  He then deliberately missed his 2nd one to get the fans their chicken.  What makes this such a hoot is that he didn't even do it for his hometown Houston fans, he did it while playing on the road for Clipper fans and that he's letting the fans know he's going to do it.

Boban Marjanovic, a Man of the People.

Ending the season, giving the fans a smile.





Bob


.

The timing of when a player is eligible for a contract extension impacts how much they can get.

Cameron Tabatabaie
@CTabatabaie
Blake Griffin officially announces his retirement






Bob
MY NOTE:  Some credit is due to Blake for his integrity.  He played for us last year, very limited minutes.  He never complained about his PT, was a great locker room teammate, and took as many offensive charges as anybody on the team.  That's saying a lot when you have Marcus Smart on the roster.  He could have come back this year and played for us, we practically begged him to, and have a very real chance at winning a ring but his priorities were his family.  Good for him.  Best of luck to him.


.

It is funny, I was never a Blake fan, in fact dreaded it when they wasted the seat on him at the beginning of last year. Well, shame on me, as he was a true Celtic, gave what he could when called on and more. I wish him good luck in the future, he was fun to have on this team last year, those young guys learned alot from him

Celtics Snubbed on NBA Awards Ballot


BOBBY KRIVITSKY 3 HOURS AGO


The Boston Celtics steamrolled their way through the regular season, amassing a 64-18 record. That represents their fourth-most victories and fifth-highest winning percentage (.780) in franchise history.

They also registered the highest plus-minus rating (11.3), scored the most points per 100 possessions (122.2), allowed the second-fewest per 100 possessions (110.6), and had the best net rating (11.7) in the regular season.


But despite their success, boasting the most talented top six in the NBA, coupled with what they've achieved in recent campaigns, has worked against them on the NBA awards ballot.






Bob
MY NOTE:  No Celtic player, no Celtic coach.  If Brad isn't a finalist, at least, for GM of the Year then I'd love for someone to explain to me how we could be the best team in the league without elite players, nor elite coaches, nor an elite front office.

This is bulletin board material for Joe.



.

This just makes me want them to win more and more. Post that up Joe, tick them all off because I sure as hell am. Thank the media for this. They do not want the Celtics to win

Run it Back: “I’m told that LeBron [James] is expected to play up to 2 more NBA seasons… In a perfect world, the Lakers have LeBron James back, and potentially they draft Bronny James—I’m told they are interested in picking him in the draft.” @Shams Charania updates on LeBron James.


Bob
MY NOTE:  This reminds me of what Jeannie Buss did with Kobe.  Kobe was definitely at the end of his career, his body was breaking down regularly, and she signed him to a two year contract for something like $50M each and, in doing so, completely hamstrung any rebuild.  Nothing could be done until Kobe's contract came off the books. It was all about Showtime and, to be fair (generous?) it was about Laker loyalty to one of their all-time greats.  Is LeBron that, that he should deserve that kind of treatment?


.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2024-05-03/lakers-fire-coach-darvin-ham-playoff-loss



Lakers fire coach Darvin Ham in the wake of first-round playoff loss



By Dan Woike
Staff Writer


May 3, 2024 Updated 11:16 AM PT



After being eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets for the second consecutive season, the Lakers have fired coach Darvin Ham, the team announced Friday.

The decision comes days after the Lakers lost in Game 5 to Denver after Jamal Murray’s second game-winner of the series.

The Lakers went 47-35 this season, the eighth-best record in the West. They won their play-in tournament game and advanced to face the Nuggets, who they again lost to in a tightly contested five-game series.


“We greatly appreciate Darvin’s efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognize the many accomplishments achieved over the past two seasons including last year’s remarkable run to the Western Conference finals,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. “We all want to thank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action following a full review of the season. This organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world.”

After Game 5, when asked to reflect on his time with the Lakers, Ham said the feelings were still too raw.


“It’s been a hell of a two years, though, I’ll tell you that,” he said. “Sitting in this seat, it’s been a hell of a two years. A lot of good things that got done, but ultimately, you want to win that ultimate prize. I know what that feels like. I had that feeling a couple of times. So, you want to do everything in your power to not to prevent and continue to feel this feeling we’re feeling now, the feeling of defeat. So again, control what I can control, continue to grow, and hopefully be a better coach for it.”

Ham, whom the Lakers hired in 2022, rebounded from a 2-10 start his first season to lead them through the play-in tournament to the Western Conference finals, where they were swept by Denver.

This season, despite the Lakers winning the NBA’s first in-season tournament, Ham’s inability to find consistently successful lineups rubbed veterans the wrong way, the Lakers leaning on players such as Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish to start games while D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura — players the team committed $140 million to in the offseason — spent time coming off the bench.

Despite All-Star performances from Anthony Davis and LeBron James, who remained mostly healthy all season, the Lakers again needed to earn a playoff berth through the play-in tournament. And after beating the Pelicans in New Orleans to earn the No. 7 seed, the Lakers again ran into the Nuggets — a matchup Ham and his team have been unable to solve.

Inside the locker room, according to those familiar with the situation, frustration with Ham’s in-game adjustments helped widen the disconnect caused by some of the lineup decisions that players questioned.

Ham went 90-74 in two seasons but 9-12 in the playoffs. In consecutive seasons, the Lakers finished the season with strong second halves.

The next coach will be the third hired by Rob Pelinka, after the team fired Frank Vogel and Ham in the last five seasons.

While candidate lists are being created, some names have already surfaced.


The team interviewed former head coaches Kenny Atkinson and Terry Stotts during their last search before landing on Ham. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue nearly coached the Lakers before contractual disputes led to the Lakers hiring Vogel in 2019.

In addition to Atkinson and Stotts, Denver assistant coach David Adelman and Minnesota assistant coach Micah Nori are both highly regarded inside the Lakers’ organization, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.

Former Lakers player Jared Dudley is close with James and Davis and has spent the last two seasons coaching in Dallas with Jason Kidd.

And JJ Redick, the former Clippers guard, could also get consideration. Redick, who co-hosts a basketball strategy podcast with James, is the lead commentator for ESPN’s NBA coverage.


Bob
MY NOTE: The Lakers have had 7 head coaches since 2010.  Seven, going on eight, in 14 years.  For comparison we've had 3 since 2013 and one of those left because of "conduct unbecoming", not because of the team's record.  Before Brad we had Doc for 9-10 years. Remember when Rondo was accused of being a "Coach Killer"? How about LeBron?


.

Yup! It is the coach's fault! Not that you have a crappy team with two fragile/aging super stars!

Now the Lakers should sign LeBron to an extension. That will make my day.

Sean Grande
@SeanGrandePBP
The top ten favorites to win the 2023-24 NBA title at the start of the season.

Only the top two survive the first round.




Bob
MY NOTE: OKC, which was #1 in the WC and is still very much alive, isn't listed. That's why you don't believe the hype, or lack thereof...

.