NBA groups, assemble! The 2024-25 season is simply weeks away, and all eyes can now flip towards opening evening on Oct. 22.
It has been an eventful offseason that was capped by a blockbuster trade this weekend, with the New York Knicks buying Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Cities is the most recent All-Star bound for a new team, a bunch that additionally consists of Klay Thompson, Paul George and Chris Paul.
Oh, and LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers could have a familiar face as a new coach — in addition to a brand new teammate in Bronny James.
Earlier than the true video games start, gamers and coaches from 28 groups gathered on Monday for media day forward of coaching camp. The opposite two groups — the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets — held their media day actions final week previous to touring to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for a pair of preseason video games.
In Denver, three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic (sporting a nifty goatee) spoke about getting the Nuggets back on top after an early playoff exit final season. As for the Celtics, Jayson Tatum mentioned he’s focused on bringing another title to Boston after an eventful summer that included a historic $315 million extension and an Olympic gold medal.
Our NBA insiders had been on website Monday with the important thing groups which can be primed to create loads of buzz this season. This is what caught their consideration from media day.
Leap to a workforce:
Mavericks | Pistons | Warriors | Clippers | Lakers
Bucks | Timberwolves | Knicks | | Thunder | 76ers | Spurs
Mutombo’s legacy remembered in Philadelphia
CAMDEN, N.J. — Because the 76ers arrived to their follow facility Monday forward of their quest to win the franchise’s first championship in over 40 years and attain the NBA Finals for the primary time since 2001, the news of Dikembe Mutombo’s death rippled all through the constructing.
It was one which hit dwelling in Philadelphia. Mutombo was a midseason addition to that 2001 workforce who, alongside Allen Iverson, led the Sixers to the Finals in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Born within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mutombo has a distinguished place in African basketball historical past. The eight-time NBA All-Star and Corridor of Fame inductee was additionally a task mannequin and a hero for 76ers heart Joel Embiid, a local of Cameroon.
“It is a unhappy day, particularly for us Africans — and actually the entire world — as a result of apart from what he is achieved on the basketball courtroom, I feel he was even higher off the courtroom,” Embiid mentioned of Mutombo on Monday. “He is one of many guys that I look as much as, so far as having an influence, not simply on the courtroom however off the courtroom. He is carried out a variety of nice issues. He did a variety of nice issues for lots of people, so he was a task mannequin of mine. It is a unhappy day.”
1:42
Stephen A. reacts to the demise of Dikembe Mutombo
Stephen A. Smith displays on the life and legacy of Dikembe Mutombo on and off the courtroom.
Final week, Embiid was on a stage on the United Nations alongside Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri speaking about potential development alternatives in Africa — one thing nobody embodied greater than Mutombo.
76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was pulled off the stage throughout his Monday information convention with coach Nick Nurse and was advised about Mutombo’s demise by a workforce official. When he returned, tears had been in his eyes as he spoke about what Mutombo meant to him personally, after working with the massive man throughout his first season answerable for the Houston Rockets in 2007.
“There aren’t many guys like him,” Morey mentioned. “Only a nice human being. Once I was a rookie GM on this league, my first probability in Houston, he was somebody I went to on a regular basis.
“His accomplishments on the courtroom, we need not discuss an excessive amount of. Simply a tremendous human being, what he did off the courtroom for Africa. Relaxation in peace, Dikembe.” — Tim Bontemps
AD for 3, once more? Redick desires to see higher pictures
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Ever for the reason that 2020 playoffs within the Orlando bubble, the place Anthony Davis shot 38.3% from 3 — together with the Sport 2 winner within the Western Convention finals in opposition to Denver — the Lakers massive man has regarded misplaced past the arc.
Former Lakers coach Darvin Ham acknowledged this and went into final season imploring Davis to take six 3s a sport anyway, a philosophy that dropped at thoughts a line from poet Robert Frost: “The one manner spherical is thru.”
Davis did not come wherever close to that determine, averaging 1.4 makes an attempt from deep and solely making an attempt six or extra 3s in two of the 76 video games he performed.
New Lakers coach JJ Redick hasn’t given up on Davis’ deep ball, both. He is simply utilizing a extra refined strategy: take what he can get as an alternative of asking for an excessive amount of, too quickly.
2:43
LeBron trying to carry Olympics momentum into Lakers’ season
LeBron James talks to Dave McMenamin about his hopes for the Lakers’ season and enjoying together with his son Bronny.
“Clearly, we have now top-of-the-line shooters to ever play in our head coach [in Redick],” Davis mentioned Monday. “He is been on me all summer season about taking pictures 3s. Even the Olympics once I’d make a 3, he’d textual content me, ‘That is what I wish to see.’ Issues like that. So, for him, it is undoubtedly going to be simply taking pictures extra 3s.”
Davis has nowhere to go however up. Considering his regular-season stats since arriving in L.A. (in order that scorching streak in the course of the bubble playoffs does not apply), Davis has been the league’s second-worst quantity 3-point shooter.
He shot 27.9% on all 3s in these 5 seasons, solely forward of Killian Hayes amongst gamers with 500 makes an attempt or extra in that span, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.
Davis can be final in catch-and-shoot 3s in that point (28.7%) and final in wide-open 3-point makes an attempt amongst gamers with not less than 300 makes an attempt since 2019-20 (29.6%), in keeping with Second Spectrum.
Time will inform if a distinct coach encouraging Davis to hoist them up could make all of the distinction. — Dave McMenamin
With KAT in the home, Knicks are ‘unofficially’ excited
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Knicks wing Josh Hart merely determined to lean all the way in which into the elephant within the room after some time.
With Karl-Anthony Towns — the club’s new (but still unofficial) star — on the workforce’s follow facility on Monday, Hart finally spoke on how the pending trade would shake up the Japanese Convention race.
“It is undoubtedly going to be harder. Numerous groups made massive strikes this offseason. It is not going to be simple. It is not going to be a cakewalk,” he mentioned. “However we’re extraordinarily assured in what we have now. Each formally and unofficially.”
As he completed talking, Hart smiled and regarded over on the workforce’s public relations official, as if to get clearance to say what’s all however sure at this level: Cities goes to be a Knick.
0:32
Brunson jokes on Knicks’ media day: ‘Who’s Karl?’
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart have some jokes amongst their reactions to the Knicks buying and selling for Karl-Anthony Cities.
Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, key members of the membership from final season, will not be.
Each realities determine to shake up the membership in a variety of methods, significantly on offense.
Almost everybody — from coach Tom Thibodeau to captain Jalen Brunson to Hart — alluded to New York anticipating to play much more 5-out offense this season with Cities as a stretch massive.
Brunson, coming off a season during which he went on an offensive onslaught after benefitting from extra space following the OG Anunoby commerce, now figures to have much more room to interrupt down opposing defenders. Thibodeau on Monday cited the workforce’s top-10 ranking in each offensive and defensive effectivity final season, saying he felt the membership could possibly be even higher on each ends this marketing campaign.
Hart and Brunson frolicked speaking about Randle and DiVincenzo, biking between how integral they had been to final season’s 50-win workforce and the way that is the troublesome aspect of the enterprise.
However with Cities and the added spacing he’ll present for the workforce’s offense, the Knicks additionally clearly see the potential for the next ceiling this season. — Chris Herring
Edwards, Gobert brace for brand spanking new period after KAT’s commerce
MINNEAPOLIS — The Timberwolves’ media day bought off to a clumsy begin when each coach Chris Finch and workforce president Tim Connelly refused to speak in regards to the Karl-Anthony Towns commerce to the Knicks, regardless that hours earlier the previous franchise anchor had posted a photograph of himself in New York Metropolis.
“I am unable to touch upon something that is but to occur,” Connelly mentioned.
However Cities’ former teammates weren’t bashful about their disappointment and the influence the loss could have on the franchise that may get Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle and a future first-round choose in alternate for the seven-footer who has made greater than 40% of his 3-point makes an attempt throughout his nine-year profession.
“It was a giant shock,” Rudy Gobert mentioned. “It is not one thing anybody anticipated a couple of days earlier than coaching camp. I am nonetheless processing it. [Towns] is somebody I’ve a variety of respect for. We had two years collectively, and I am actually grateful for the time that we spent collectively. From the time I bought right here, from day one, he embraced me. He did every little thing he may to assist me be the very best model of myself, on and off the courtroom.”
Gobert’s somber tone was a sentiment that hovered over the workforce on Monday.
Whereas Anthony Edwards has loved the reward he has acquired as he probably enters his superstardom section — Connelly mentioned the workforce believes he can grow to be one of many biggest gamers in NBA historical past — he additionally mentioned it is a troublesome second with out his “brother.”
“I really feel prefer it’s type of bizarre to speak about it as a result of he simply bought traded,” Edwards mentioned. “That is my canine, man. It wasn’t like a one or two state of affairs. It was we each had been the one. We simply performed off of one another. So, I imply, I am pleased to be [whoever] they need me to be now, however [Towns and I] had been simply collectively, so it is exhausting.” — Myron Medcalf
Curry learns some French after iconic Olympic second
SAN FRANCISCO — Did Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry study any French whereas he was in Paris for the Olympics?
“Nuit nuit,” Curry mentioned, a smile spreading throughout his face.
Curry vividly remembers his late-game dagger shot in Staff USA’s gold-medal-game win over France that prompted his notorious “evening evening” celebration. He recalled seeing LeBron James and Kevin Durant broad open and a transparent double-team headed his manner. However as soon as Durant handed him the ball, Curry mentioned his muscle reminiscence took over.
“I see the 2 guys, however I am already in rhythm,” Curry mentioned. “So long as I get it off, I do know I will make it.”
As he shot it, Curry noticed Durant and James with their fingers up in a shrug place — prepared for a go again to the weak aspect.
“However as quickly because it went in, seeing Bron do the [night night] gesture, seeing the blokes on the bench, KD threw his head again and was type of in amazement,” Curry mentioned.
Draymond Green, who was within the stands at Paris’ Bercy Area, mentioned his favourite half was watching Durant’s and James’ reactions to Curry’s iconic shot. Inexperienced is used to his Golden State teammate’s otherworldly taking pictures on the courtroom, nevertheless it’s not typically that their opponents get to have fun alongside the Warriors sharpshooter.
“What I appreciated most about it was watching the blokes that do not get to play with him, their reactions to being on the identical aspect as him,” Inexperienced mentioned of Curry.
Worldwide followers additionally bought to expertise Curry’s magic shot in his first Olympics ever.
“Outdoors of America, I feel everybody else takes the Olympics extra significantly … [European players] most likely would quite win an Olympic gold medal, quite than win an NBA championship,” Inexperienced mentioned. “To see him on that stage the place everybody else on the earth is watching that factor and, like, that is the factor that it is advisable do with a view to be this man in our eyes.”
Inexperienced likened Curry’s efficiency in the course of the Paris Video games to that of Michael Jordan’s play with the Dream Staff on the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
“Steph wanted that,” Inexperienced mentioned. “We at all times say, you play on Staff USA. The exhausting half is making the workforce. When you make the workforce, you are going to win, so you are going to get a gold medal. He made that his second in getting the gold medal. That was as particular as something I’ve ever seen him do.” — Kendra Andrews
Pop responds to France coach’s curiosity with Spurs
SAN ANTONIO — From the placing measurement distinction between Victor Wembanyama and veteran level guard Chris Paul to educate Gregg Popovich’s insistence on standing for his 14-minute new convention, the Spurs’ media day featured loads of notable sights.
First look 📸@wemby 🤝 @CP3 @VCMtweets | #sponsored pic.twitter.com/h7BunCiIVU
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) September 30, 2024
However one small nugget gained traction Monday as a consequence of San Antonio’s longtime appreciation of contributions from worldwide gamers.
Former France males’s basketball coach Vincent Collet, who led his workforce to a silver medal in the course of the Paris Video games, not too long ago expressed curiosity in teaching within the NBA, significantly for Popovich and the Spurs.
“He is a superb good friend. He is an ideal coach,” Popovich mentioned. “And he is like many coaches in Europe: You do not have to be an American to educate within the NBA. It is type of a bit unintended prejudice, similar to it was once with gamers: ‘These guys cannot play right here. They will not alter culturally. They do not play protection.’ No matter it was. Then all of us began bringing them over and realized that was baloney.
“It is the identical with the coaches. There are a bunch of coaches over there that could possibly be doing pretty much as good or a greater job than we’re doing. Coach Collet is unquestionably in that class.”
All through Popovich’s tenure with the Spurs, the group has gained a repute for bringing each worldwide gamers and coaches to San Antonio. The workforce presently options not less than three worldwide staffers in assistant Matt Nielsen (Australia) and athletic efficiency coaches Carlos Sosa Marin (Spain) and Guillaume Alquier (France).
“I have never considered it,” Wembanyama mentioned of the potential for Collet becoming a member of the Spurs’ employees, “however it might be cool.” — Michael C. Wright
Pistons wish to be part of Lions, Tigers within the postseason
DETROIT — Pistons star Cade Cunningham, recent off signing a five-year, $224 million extension this offseason, has private objectives this marketing campaign.
He desires to grow to be an All-Star and an All-NBA participant underneath new Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, and Cunningham is drawing motivation from witnessing the latest success of the NFL’s Detroit Lions and MLB’s Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers clinched their first playoff berth since 2014 this weekend, whereas the Lions, who’re considered as Tremendous Bowl contenders after reaching the NFC Championship Sport final season, hosted the Seattle Seahawks that night on “Monday Evening Soccer.”
“It is a problem that we undoubtedly wish to tackle for certain,” Cunningham mentioned. “I used to be there on the sport on Friday when the Tigers clinched, so watching that, I am within the constructing watching how the stadium was reacting to that. It gave me chills.
“So, that is what we wish to do for the Pistons followers, for town, on the basketball aspect. We wish to convey that very same pleasure and that very same pleasure to the Pistons. It is a problem that we’re all excited to tackle, and I will be the top of that snake.”
The Pistons have completed .500 or worse in eight consecutive seasons. That is along with going 16 campaigns in a row and not using a playoff win, the longest lively drought within the NBA.
Nevertheless, president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon is dedicated to revitalizing the franchise. Langdon visited the Lions’ coaching camp over the summer season, and he spoke with Lions basic supervisor Brad Holmes. Langdon mentioned he’s hoping to emulate that very same basis whereas creating the present Pistons’ identification.
“He is carried out some superb issues right here that hopefully I can study from,” Langdon mentioned of Holmes. — Eric Woodyard
‘Why not?’: Kidd quips on Luka’s defensive duties
DALLAS — The Mavericks have been buzzing with anticipation since Klay Thompson determined to decide on Dallas over the Lakers for his free company vacation spot.
However with 34-year-old sharpshooter changing free company departee Derrick Jones Jr. within the lineup, which Mavs starter will get the project of defending the opponents’ major perimeter scorers?
“Luka,” coach Jason Kidd quipped. “Why not?”
0:52
Luka Doncic: I am unable to wait to play with Klay Thompson
Luka Doncic explains how Klay Thompson’s arrival can have an effect on the way in which the Mavericks’ offense works.
The anticipation is that energy ahead P.J. Washington will be part of Thompson, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and one of many lob-threat massive males (Dereck Lively II is the favourite) within the Mavs’ beginning lineup. Dallas’ finest on-ball defenders (Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, Dante Exum) are anticipated to come back off the bench.
If that is the case, Kidd mentioned the first defender position among the many starters would be the accountability of “a committee” based mostly on matchups and relying on assist inside Dallas’ scheme.
In all seriousness, Doncic may sometimes get a few of these duties.
“There’s going to be instances the place Luka’s going to have to protect somebody,” Kidd mentioned. “That is simply a part of being the very best on the earth. I do not assume he will run from that.”
Neither is Doncic shying away from expectations for the Mavs as a complete coming off an NBA Finals look.
“I adore it, as a result of which means we did one thing nice,” Doncic mentioned. “I have been coping with this since Actual Madrid, so I am used to it. However I feel for the entire workforce, that ought to be used as motivation. Folks anticipate you to be good, and that is a superb signal.” — Tim MacMahon
Actual time? Dame prepared for a reset this season
MILWAUKEE — At the moment final 12 months, Damian Lillard‘s arrival to the Bucks was one of many greatest storylines within the NBA. His commerce from the Portland Trail Blazers occurred close to the beginning of coaching camp, and Lillard had reported to Milwaukee two days earlier than that — a transfer and a season he now calls a blur.
“Once I look again ultimately 12 months, I used to be simply making an attempt to get by means of the 12 months,” Lillard mentioned Monday.
Lillard, an eight-time All-Star, averaged 24.3 factors and 7 assists whereas hitting some clutch pictures for Milwaukee. But, he was removed from the dominant power he had been in his first 11 seasons with Portland.
Now coming off a extra regular offseason absent from commerce hypothesis and with time to discover a coaching routine — together with an intense exercise session with former Navy SEAL David Goggins, with challenges resembling 1,000 lunges and 700 pushups in 45 minutes — Lillard is vowing to seem like his ordinary self in 2024-25 season.
“My teammates, my coaches, they will get the true model of me,” Lillard mentioned Monday. “I do know what kind of 12 months I had, and I do know what kind of summer season I had and preparation I had.”
The Bucks can be leaning closely on the duo of Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo to assist maintain the workforce among the many Japanese Convention contenders. Nevertheless, the Bucks co-stars didn’t get a chance to satisfy collectively for an offseason exercise after Lillard initially deliberate to go to Antetokounmpo in Greece after the season.
Antetokounmpo performed within the Olympics then bought married over the summer season, so the timing by no means labored out.
Nonetheless, each Lillard and Antetokounmpo had been touting elevated chemistry on Monday, particularly as in contrast up to now one 12 months in the past, after they had had solely a cellphone dialog coming into coaching camp.
“I undoubtedly really feel extra on the identical web page with him now than I did final 12 months,” Lillard mentioned of Antetokounmpo. — Jamal Collier
Harden on Clippers’ fashion: It’ll ‘contain a variety of me’
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — James Harden used one phrase to explain his mentality coming into this season with the LA Clippers.
“Aggressive,” Harden mentioned. “Aggressive.”
With Paul George now with the Philadelphia 76ers and Kawhi Leonard being held out of bodily drills coming into Clippers coaching camp as a consequence of irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee, Harden can be relied on to set the early tone.
The purpose guard mentioned his position can be clearer this season after arriving in a commerce early final season and making an attempt to slot in alongside Leonard, George and Russell Westbrook.
“We tried final 12 months to the place I am making an attempt to determine it out, guys, the roles,” Harden mentioned. “And it was type of troublesome if you bought that top caliber of gamers or Corridor of Famers and mainly [playing similar or] the identical place [with] all people making an attempt to determine the roles out. It was fairly troublesome.
“However this 12 months for me, I bought a transparent house on what I must be doing.”
Clippers coach Ty Lue mentioned having a complete coaching camp with Harden can be extraordinarily helpful.
The Clippers noticed how good Harden will be within the pick-and-roll, particularly with massive man Ivica Zubac. Harden averaged 16.6 factors, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds final season, and the Clippers would like to see extra of his classic playmaking and high-scoring nights.
“To myself, yeah — that I’m going to do it,” Harden mentioned as as to if he has one thing to show that he can nonetheless play at a excessive stage. “I do not actually have an excessive amount of to say about it. I’m simply going to go on the market and do it.
“I’m enthusiastic about having a chance to be who I’m once more.”
Harden mentioned the Clippers will work out the very best fashion of play to achieve success however that it’ll have one key part.
“I’m going to let you know one factor: It’s undoubtedly going to contain a variety of me,” Harden mentioned. “Not simply because I can create a shot and get guys concerned. There’s at all times going to be speak. There was speak once I was in Houston once I was doing what I used to be doing: ‘You possibly can’t win like that.’
“You simply seen a man final season make it to the Finals enjoying the identical precise manner that I play. So, there’s a manner. Your workforce must be constructed very properly, and you bought to have a bit little bit of luck and ensure you are wholesome.” — Ohm Youngmisuk
No title speak allowed for the West’s prime workforce
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Thunder have the potential to be the league’s finest defensive workforce this season, they usually bought began by getting a cease on media day.
From famous person Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proper down the road to new arrivals Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder collectively deflected discuss setting expectations following a 57-win season that included being the highest seed within the Western Convention.
They really would like to not change their mentality of being the neglected underdogs that gained a complete of simply 46 video games mixed over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns.
“Actually, after we sucked for these couple of seasons, we weren’t anxious in regards to the world respecting us. We had been like, ‘We’re not the place we wish to be; let’s get there by working,'” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “Us not altering our mentality and preserving that the identical is in our greatest curiosity. It would’ve regarded like final 12 months like we had a chip on our shoulder, however we actually had been simply combating to get higher.”
ESPN Bet has the Thunder put in as 3-to-1 favorites to win the West.
They’re a younger workforce — Caruso is the one participant on the roster over the age of 30 — and they’re free from battle scars that have a tendency so as to add layers of stress to contenders.
Regardless of carrying the favourite tag, there was no discuss making an attempt to win the workforce’s first championship — solely a unified dose about course of.
For instance, coach Mark Daigneault was noncommittal about plans to play massive man Hartenstein (OKC’s main free agent addition) subsequent to Chet Holmgren, who began all 82 video games at heart final season.
Daigneault deferred to the necessity to let course of win out over the course of the season. As is the character of the Thunder, each Holmgren and Hartenstein had been precisely on the identical web page.
Nevertheless, a call had been reached on one essential piece of enterprise.
After efficiently navigating the problem of getting each Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams on the roster, the Thunder gathered for a workforce choice on deal with Isaiah Hartenstein alongside Isaiah Joe, their taking pictures specialist guard who re-signed over the summer season:
Joe can be “Zay” and Hartenstein can be “Hart.” — Brian Windhorst
