Rockets Start Off The Preseason (1-0) With Big Games From Wall, Cousins, & Gordon

Rockets Start Off The Preseason (1-0) With Big Games From Wall, Cousins, & Gordon

Featured

by | Dec 12, 2020 | Featured, NBA

 

The Houston Rockets came into this game against the Chicago Bulls with a lot of unknowns. They came into the game with no James Harden as the team hopes that he joins them next week. Also, Houston was without PJ Tucker and Christain Wood tonight with minor injuries.  One thing that was well known after this game is that Stephen Silas has a great offensive mind and he will use his team’s strengths to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. The Rockets were limited with their roster tonight in Chicago but made the best of the situation and looked like a team that had played for a year or so already. Silas was able to put on a great coaching display in his first game as the Rockets head coach. Tonight Silas was able to use a lot of pick and pop and was still able to use the same pedigree with the Rockets 3 point shooting. If this Rockets team can stay healthy and with the additions of the players that weren’t there tonight this could be a special year in Houston.

 

 

Tonight was the debut in Houston for John Wall and he looked like the John Wall that we last saw in 2018. The quickness was there and the explosiveness was on full display. John Wall was able to go coast to coast multiple times and was able to get his teammates involved. Wall improved his jumper and was able to get his offense going really early in this contest. The Bulls had no answer for John Wall tonight as he was able to blow by anyone that was guarding him in the open space or on a one on one. Wall finished the game with 13 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds in limited minutes tonight. When Wall is playing like this he’s one of the best guards in the NBA and he showed tonight that he still has it as he played in-game action for the first time in years. John Wall is buying into the Silas way and showed that he can run the show at the highest level.

 

 

It was a special tonight as John Wall was able to play with his college teammates DeMarcus Cousins. Wall & Cousins look like the chemistry on the court never left as Wall would be able to draw the defenders to the paint as Cousins would knock down multiple 3 pointers. DeMarcus Cousins finished with 14 points and 5 rebounds on the night but looked really good and was able to run the floor with the quickness. It was good to see Boogie out there on the floor as he was able to hit the 3 point shot, defend in the paint, rebound, and even took some charges. The Rockets had the mismatches as the Bulls had no answer for Wall or Cousins tonight at all. If the Rockets can stay healthy this season they can be scary as both Wall & Cousins came into this game/season with a chip on their shoulders. Another bright spot for the Rockets was Eric Gordon who looked like he was still shooting in the bubble as he was on fire all night. Gordon was hitting some deep 3 pointers and he was able to get to the rim when he wanted with ease. Tonight Gordon hit a 3 pointer from 40ft deep and it was a known fact he was ready and looked ready for the regular season. The Rockets put up — 3 pointers on the night and they look to keep the same identity as they did with D’Antoni last season. This was a huge step in the right direction for Stephen Silas and the Houston Rockets as they try to get their whole team together on the young season. Tonight showed that this team has the potential to be special if everyone’s willing to buy-in.

 

 

The Chicago Bulls looked really young tonight and this is all new for them with Billy Donovan coming in. Overall the Bulls will need to continue to grow as they have some players that have promise in LaVine, White, and Porter. If the Bulls can defend better on the perimeter and be disciplined in the paint they can make a push for the 8th seed in the East. Coby White & Zach LaVine finished with a combined 27 points and they will be two of the guys that can lead this team all season. The Bulls didn’t have much from the jump on the defensive end especially giving up 24 3 point makes to the Rockets but they will be playing them again next game.

Dec 12, 2020 No Comments
James Harden’s Next Signature Shoe Officially Unveiled

James Harden’s Next Signature Shoe Officially Unveiled

Celebs

by | Dec 10, 2020 | Celebs, Featured, NBA, Sneakers

Slated for a release in early 2021, the three stripes have unveiled the next signature model for the league’s superstar guard James Harden.

The Vol. 5 will be packed with the brand’s latest tech, including a new innovative called futurenatural a seamless one-piece upper together with the athlete’s movement. While the underfoot is cushioned with Boost and Lightstrike for on-court responsiveness. This seems to fit perfectly with the movement of James and his signature step back.

Imagine via Adidas

Futurenatural is a new process for the creation of shoes, and is a perfect technology for Harden Vol. 5 with James’ dynamic style of play and moves on the court being unlike any other player,” said Rashad Williams, Senior Director of Footwear at Adidas Basketball. “James offers feedback from a design and feel standpoint, which is extremely important during our creative process and it ultimately led us to develop the Futurenatural technology to match his game.

Adidas Futurenatural Upper featured on the Vol. 5

Look for Harden to be lacing the Vol. 5’s in this and other colorways for the upcoming NBA season set to kick off Dec. 22nd.

Dec 10, 2020 No Comments
NBA Preseason: Five Storylines To Be On The Lookout For

NBA Preseason: Five Storylines To Be On The Lookout For

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by | Dec 8, 2020 | Featured, NBA

This Friday, the NBA restarts down its long-awaited calendar with the tip-off of the 2020-21 preseason, exactly 11 days before the real thing takes place for the upcoming regular season that’s sure to be different from its predecessors. And of course, just like how any offseason has gone since forever, there are new faces in new places. Trades and free agency shook the league to its core just a few weeks ago and by the looks of it, transactions probably won’t be finished until the opening tip.

From factions being split in groundbreaking trades, discontent players looking elsewhere for new pastures in free agency signings, shocking draft selections, and more, it’s worth the mention that everyone’s favorite teams will look slightly different once Friday comes. These exhibition contests are limited, understandably, due to concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only two to four games will be played and the schedules of each team mentioned in this article will be posted.

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5. Minnesota Timberwolves (Finished Last Season 19-45) – A Blast From The Franchise’s Past Joins Forces With The Organization’s New Cornerpiece

Preseason Schedule

  • vs. Memphis Grizzlies – Saturday, December 12 
  • vs. Memphis Grizzlies – Monday, December 14  
  • vs. Dallas Mavericks – Thursday, December 17

The owners of the first pick in November’s 2020 NBA Draft, Minny selected Guard/Forward Anthony Edwards and will see after their coveted first-round selection that he can mesh well with the main core of newly-acquired guard D’Angelo Russell and top-tier big man Karl Anthony-Towns. Daily reminder that there was not a Summer League, so fans and scouts alike who haven’t gotten the chance to witness the 6-5, 225-lb 19-year old who averaged 19.1 points per game in one year at Georgia will have the opportunity.

Additionally, Ricky Rubio’s return to the Minnesota Timberwolves shouldn’t fly under the radar. After departing in 2017, Rubio emigrated from his starting spot he played in from the start of his career back in 2011, and after spending nearly three years away in other sites like Utah and Phoenix, Rubio was traded back to the Twin Cities’ team as a result of the three-team trade that sent Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns, and Ricky Rubio (as well as the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels from the Thunder) to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Head coach Ryan Saunders and the prolific Spanish playmaker that garnered a massive fan following during his first stint with the T’Wolves have a well-documented relationship with each other, and Saunders’ belief in Rubio’s impact spans far past the stat sheet.

“Ricky does things that don’t always show up in the box score, and he impacts winning in a way where he can help young players grow.”

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4. Charlotte Hornets (Finished Last Season 23-42) – “Ballin” In The Queen City

Preseason Schedule

  • vs. Toronto (Tampa Bay) Raptors – Saturday, December 12
  • vs. Toronto (Tampa Bay) Raptors – Monday, December 14
  • vs. Orlando Magic – Thursday, December 17

These first two years of James Borrego’s tenure as Head coach of the Charlotte Hornets are predicated on fulfilling the growth and projected potential of CHA’s young and inquisitive parts that will someday compete for a playoff spot. The postseason was not quite a realistically attainable goal, but more of a further incentive if the ‘Nets had enough on the table to open some eyes across the league.

While it didn’t really show in the record box, numbers in other prioritized statistical areas told otherwise. Devonte Graham ended his regular season in 2020 shooting over 37 percent from deep, earning himself an invite to the Three-Point Contest at All-Star weekend and multiple Most Improved Player votes. PJ Washington and Miles Bridges made significant strides to improve their games, but in addition to shedding aging and regressing players like Nicolas Batum, the 2020 offseason might be the most impactful adjustment to this roster for this year and beyond.

The third overall selection in 2020 belonged to Michael Jordan’s Hornets, and with it picked point guard LaMelo Ball from Chino Hills, California/Lithuania/Spire Academy/Illawarra, Australia. It’s been a long journey to the pros for Ball, the second of the three Ball brothers (oldest brother LiAngelo just got signed to the Pistons and second-oldest Lonzo still with the Pelicans) who are all now in the NBA. Ball was by far the purest shot-creator in the draft and also, the most equanimous decision-maker with the ball in his hands.

If how LaMelo fared against grown men competing in the Aussie league known as the NBL was any indication of how he’d do in an equally physical league, Hornets fans are in for a treat. Charlotte’s biggest strength is their backcourt play and Ball will be coached and developed to accompany Graham and Malik Monk as he gets his first bearings of NBA action this Saturday.

Alongside him will be the newly-signed Gordon Hayward, the intelligent playmaking wing who signed for four years worth $140M. He is looking to find a second wind for his career after a turbulent three years in Boston.

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3. Washington Wizards (Finished Last Season 25-47) – The Brodie To The Nation’s Capital: Boom Or Bust?

Preseason Schedule:

  • vs. Brooklyn Nets – Sunday, December 13
  • vs. Detroit Pistons – Thursday, December 17
  • vs Detroit Pistons – Saturday, December 19

What a whirlwind of an offseason it’s been for Wizards fans, both in good and bad ways. What seemed to kick off draft and trade season in an unforeseen turn of events: highly-coveted first-rounder Deni Avdija fell to them in the draft at No. 9, and it looked as if the duo of the recovered John Wall and Bradley Beal were to finally reunite in the Nation’s Capital.

And then the eve of Wednesday, December 2, 2020 happened. The prodigal son of Washington, D.C., John Wall was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Russell Westbrook, meaning the union between Wall and Beal was broken, and another All-Star was to be added to a young roster choc’ full of potential.

So now, Russell Westbrook is in the third destination of his career and, per his request, will likely be within the same role he was in when he was dominating and winning the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2017. Moreover, it’s the established chemistry between he and his Head coach, Scotty Brooks, whom he started his NBA career with before Billy Donavan took over coaching responsibilities in Oklahoma City in 2016.

But even with the numbers Russ has put up in his career, it’s purely a TBD over who won this trade considering that his offensive productivity has taken a severe dip in the past two seasons. It could very well be a mechanics and confidence fix, and if so, Russ’ return to MVP form only says good things for a team growing in depth. One thing is for sure, it’s going to be odd seeing Westbrook not only wearing a Wizards jersey, but reverting back to wearing No. 4, his old Olympia High School number.

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2. Brooklyn Nets (Finished Last Season 35-37) – How Will KD and Kyrie Look In Their Return?

Preseason Schedule

  • vs. Washington Wizards – Sunday, December 13
  • vs. Boston Celtics – Friday, December 18

As if there was any different reason that you’d honestly be watching the Brooklyn Nets in the preseason, the obvious being stated is that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are both returning to the hardwood since thier injuries, and are looking to make BK Town’s team the entire state of New York can get behind, since the Knicks are a ways away from contending.

We’ve yet to see what post-Achilles tear KD really looks like in game speed besides some short Twitter clips of getting runs in gyms with trainers and fellow NBA collegues, but from word of mouth of coaches and fellow trainers, “he’s back”. Seeing Durant come back healthy, even at 80%, is still frightening to guard, considering that KD has never been known to utilize that untethered athleticism and rely on just pure basketball skill.

As for Irving, who returns from a handful of ailments ranging from shoulder impingements to knee issues, his role and responsibilities in Brooklyn’s offense is going to be something worth making a note of remembering to tune in to. New Head coach Steve Nash has shared with the team the general consensus of there not being a true point guard (at least that’s how Irving explained it) so in terms of how the guards in Nash’s system operate, fans will get a sneak peak into how Brooklyn’s revamped backcourt and frontcourt will mesh within Nash’s offense.

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1. Houston Rockets (Finished Last Season 44-28) – Will The Off-Court Drama’s Noise Drown Out The Progressive Strides Of A Contender?

Preseason Schedule

  • vs. Chicago Bulls – Friday, December 11
  • vs. Chicago Bulls – Sunday, December 13
  • vs. San Antonio Spurs – Tuesday, December 15
  • vs. San Antonio Spurs – Thursday, December 17

This is not the ideal position Stephen Silas wanted his Rockets to be in.

The first-time Head coach and son to the legendary Paul Silas, consider these “occurrences” his initiation to the theatrics and dramatics that come with the job, to put it euphemistically.

The Harden drama has been nothing but nauseating to fathom if you are a Rockets fan, and just as toxic and demoralizing to the organization if you are behind the scenes of this mess. It’s unnecessary to commentate on a play-by-play basis what’s transpired between Harden and Tiliman Fertitta, the Rockets’ owner (Twitter seems to be pretty good at doing that) but to put it succinctly – James Harden has behaved in such an insubordinate, conducive and unprofessional manner just to imply that he wants out of Houston, preferably before the season begins.

So what does that mean for a Rockets team that, barring their little “small ball” experiment, would’ve been favored to reach the conference finals and possibly play for a championship when both recently departed Russell Westbrook and Harden were referred to as the highest-scoring backcourt in the game?

Either one of two things, exactly:

A. New trade acquisition Christian Wood fits into Silas’s system like a puzzle piece John Wall balls out in Westbrook’s place and other notable FA signing DeMarcus Cousins (who rejoins Wall for the first time since their days as Kentucky Wildcats) regains the monomer of top-3 unstoppable big man in the league, thus convincing Harden to wise up a little and realize what’s homemade is much better than what’s out there.

B. Harden can’t even stand the thought of staying in the city of Houston for another second, bails on the team and demands a trade before December 22’s opener against Oklahoma City while Wall looks as if he’s lost a step (or two) and Boogie Cousins remains a non-starter while Wood scarcely puts up respectable numbers but numbers not good enough to keep Houston competitive, prompting a clean house and top-down rebuild.

So what’s the scoop on turning on the television to witness the 2020-21 Houston Rockets? It’s not a question of who will be on the floor to start the preseason for Houston – it’s a matter of who won’t be.

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Other honorable mentions include…

  • The Boston Celtics, who will be without Kemba Walker for the start of the season and will have to rely on one of the best stretch wing duos in the league in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (and Jeff Teague as their starting guard) to operate the offense.

 

  • The Golden State Warriors, a team that’s severely maligned by the injury to Klay Thompson and is searching through their options to find his viable replacement for the near future. Additionally, the NBA debut of James Wiseman (now postponed due to both he and Draymond Green recently catching the Coronavirus) should be a sight to see.

 

  • The Los Angeles Clippers, who enter year two with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, will have their plays called by former Cavaliers Head coach Tyronn Lue with new signees Serge Ibaka and Nicolas Batum getting introductory minutes in their new home stadium.

 

  • The Tampa Bay (not Toronto) Raptors, not playing in front of 19,000 people inside ScotiaBank Arena, or in the country of Canada at all for an entire season due to the team not being allowed back into the country until the pandemic ends.

 

  • The Phoenix Suns, now with Chris Paul controlling the floor and sharing it with suparstar two-guard Devin Booker.

 

  • The Milwaukee Bucks, now in the final year of the Persuade-Giannis-to-stay-in-Milwaukee challenge, did a decent job of surrounding the Greek Freak with talent in swapping Eric Bledsoe with New Orleans for former All-Star Jrue Holiday. We’ll see how he adjusts to a new spaceous system ran by Mike Budenholzer.

 

  • The Atlanta Hawks, now complete with a reliable backup/mentor to Trae Young in Rajon Rondo as well as budding offensive dynamo Bodgdan Bogdanovic.

 

  • The Portland Trail Blazers, who stocked up on the defensive end by signing Robert Covington as a star 3-and-D guy opposing defenders don’t want to leave open.

 

  • The Denver Nuggets, who A.) had arguably the best time of anyone on draft night picking up RJ Hampton, B.) Picked up Buddy Hield during the opening of the trade market to bolster an already dangerous lineup that upset the #2 seed Clippers in last year’s playoffs and C.) Look to build off last year’s success on their way to a franchise-first NBA championship.

 

  • And the Los Angeles Lakers, the defending champions who got even better in the offseason by signing sixth man of the year Montrezl Harrell, 6MOTY runner-up Dennis Schroder, and locked down both L.A. staples (pun intended) LeBron James and Anthony Davis to lucrative extensions that go past 2023-25.

 

As training camp officially starts with the regular season right around the corner, the anticipation for basketball back on home floors with some – not a lot, clearly – fans in the stands and some normalcy back on television screens across the globe couldn’t come sooner.

Photo Cred: ClutchPoints – David Bernal

Dec 8, 2020 No Comments
LeBron’s $85M Extension — What Does This Mean For L.A.’s Financial Future?

LeBron’s $85M Extension — What Does This Mean For L.A.’s Financial Future?

Featured

by | Dec 3, 2020 | Featured, NBA

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, four-time world champion and four-time Finals MVP LeBron James notified L.A. faithful of his intent to pursue multiple championships in what appears to be the final stop of his illustrious career and signed a blockbuster two-year, $85M extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. This deal was reported by Rich Paul, LBJ’s agent and the CEO of Klutch Sports.

While there’s no doubt a transaction as such staples (pun intended) The King to the City of Angels’ premier basketball franchise, (as if he needed any more persuasion to stay in L.A.) this will presumptively make Anthony Davis’ decision on the number for the supermax deal a little simpler to make. This extension will take James through the 2022-23 season, thus guaranteeing him 20 seasons spent in the league.

That will be $39.2 Million in the bank for James in 2020, $41,180,544 in 2021-22, and $44,474,988 in the final year of his extension. All in all, that will be an accumulated $435 Million in a lengthy career for the future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Additionally, this further promulgates the burgeoning possibility that his eldest son — 16-year old prodigy Bronny James, who is going into his Junior year at Sierra Canyon High School with his graduation coming up in 2023 — could be playing against (or alongside (because you can never really predict how the NBA carousel turns!) his son at the most competitive level there is since Bronny’s eligibility for the association could open that year.

So, cool. Seems like a win-win for Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss’s most coveted organization, right? Not quite, if you were to look for additional superstar ammo to surround both AD and the aging best player on the planet.

With the Lakers getting this formality of an extension done, it can’t kill two birds with one stone. They’re virtually out of the running to get Giannis Antetokounmpo in Free Agency next offseason, or any massively-talented Supermax-warranting player in 2021. The plan to clear cap space for a max deal is out the window with this extension.

Per Samuel H. Quinn of CBS Sports:

Unlike Bam Adebayo who received an early extension onto his rookie deal, James is not getting a substantial raise. If we’re being absolutely technical, the Lakers have no less control over their cap situation today than they did yesterday. The original contract James signed in 2018 gave him a $41,180,544 player option for the 2021-22 season, his maximum possible salary. His salary for the 2021-22 season is still $41,180,544. The difference? That salary is now set in stone. When James had that option, he theoretically could have opted out in order to help the Lakers clear space for Giannis. Had he done so, they might have been able to make him an offer within range of his max. 

So basically, the Lakers and their fans better enjoy the tandem of AD and LBJ as their core to build around. because even if they wanted to try and make space for a max deal kind of player (y’know, if we were to assume the salary cap rises which is likely) by trading away an asset like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, having Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol decline their options or renouncing the rights to Kyle Kuzma or Alex Caruso, the money still wouldn’t be feasible enough for the Greek Freak or any other player of that magnitude next offseason.

So while other teams like Miami or Milwaukee have other avenues to acquire him, consider the Lakers out of the sweepstakes.

Photo Credit: Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) reacts to a play against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball first-round playoff game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Ashley Landis/AP) 

Dec 3, 2020 No Comments
Rockets Trade Russell Westbrook For John Wall & 2023 1st Round Pick

Rockets Trade Russell Westbrook For John Wall & 2023 1st Round Pick

NBA

by | Dec 3, 2020 | NBA

 

This NBA offseason has been crazy with all the new additions to teams via free agency/trade. One of the biggest names that have been in the trade talks has been Russell Westbrook who averaged 27.2 PPG, 7.9 REB, and 7.0 AST last season in Houston. The Rockets went with the small ball last season with Westbrook getting a lot more comfortable in the offense once Capella was moved to Atlanta. There was a lot of promise in his first season with his close friend James Harden as they showed great chemistry on and off the court. The Rockets weren’t able to get out of the second round of the NBA Playoffs in the bubble as they lost to the Lakers. Not long after the loss to the Lakers the Rockets were left looking for a new head coach and they moved on from Daryl Morey. The Rockets ownership stated that they want to compete for a championship with James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

 

 

The Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta made it clear that Houston has their eyes on a championship and that started with the hire of Stephen Silas. The new head coach Stephen Silas comes with 20 years of coaching experience in the NBA and he recently was coaching Luka in Dallas. There is no word on if James Harden or Russell Westbrook had any say on the hire but it was well-received around the NBA as Stephen Silas has been deserving for years. It was reported on November 11th by @ShamsCharania that Russell Westbrook wanted out of Houston. Once the word was out that Westbrook wanted to out of Houston the trade scenarios came flooding in. Many teams from the Knicks, Hornets, Cavaliers, Magic and the Wizards were in the mix for the former MVP. A lot of the trades that were coming out for Westbrook were highly disrespectful for someone of his talent but it was reported that the market for Westbrook wasn’t good. One trade that wasn’t disrespectful was the swap of John Wall and Russell Westbrook which was first reported as a possibility on November 17th. After John Wall heard about the rumors he was reported to want out of Washington.

 

 

 

 

Both Westbrook & Wall have similar games and both are explosive to the basket. Also, both Wall and Westbrook are NBA All-Stars while being great leaders/floor generals. The biggest difference with this trade is the fact that John Wall is coming off a ruptured left Achilles which is a very tough injury to come back from but John Wall is also younger than Westbrook. So now we fast forward to December 2nd as both teams resumed talks this afternoon where the once rumor became a reality. The Houston Rockets traded Russell Westbrook for John Wall as it became official. The Wizards are getting an MVP in Westbrook to pair up with Bradley Beal and the Rockets are getting a pissed off John Wall who’s ready to prove he’s still one of the best in the NBA. John Wall will be joining the Rockets after the news of one of his best friends DeMarcus Cousins just signed with them reuniting the two Wildcats in H-Town. This could be really special for the Rockets if both Cousins and Wall are healthy to pair with a lethal James Harden who’s ready for a championship like yesterday. John Wall is a pass-first guard who’s improved on his offense over the years and we will be looking for Cousins and Harden on a nightly basis now. The last season that John Wall played he was averaging 20.7 PPG and 8.7 AST and he will look to improve on those to prove the Wizards and his doubters wrong after this trade.

 

 

Check out some of John Walls open run this offseason as he’s preparing for the 2020-2021 season below

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow Me on Twitter @TravisSingleton & Instagram @SneakerReporter

Dec 3, 2020 No Comments
The State of Golden State for 2020-2021 Season

The State of Golden State for 2020-2021 Season

Featured

by | Nov 20, 2020 | Featured, NBA

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson has suffered a torn right Achilles tendon. Thompson tore his Achilles after a workout he had in southern California on November 18, an MRI confirmed yesterday in Los Angeles. The all-star shooting guard has now been ruled out for the upcoming 202-2021 NBA season set to start on December 22nd. This is a devastating blow for the Warriors given that this will be the second straight season that Klay has missed due to injury.

Thompson was coming off a torn ACL injury to his left knee that he suffered in the NBA Finals in June of 2019. His rehab had been going according to plan he was gearing up to play his first game in over a year with the start of the 2020-2021 season. Thompson had been working out in the southern California area for the past few months rehabbing and training. Thompson was playing with several NBA players in Los Angeles during an open gym and felt pain in the calf area when he landed on his leg, sources told ESPN’s, Ramona Shelburne. All reports show no sign that Thompson’s rehab process had any real setbacks outside of the normal soreness that comes with rehabbing a knee injury. He had been attacking his rehab process as rigorously as he attacks his shooting workouts and now he is going to have to start the process over again.  The Warriors were very optimistic that their star sharpshooter was going to come back full strength to help them compete in a revamped Western Conference. The Warriors are tasked with filling the void of losing one of the best shooters and two-way players in the NBA.

 

 

Prior to his torn left ACL, Klay Thompson had been one of the most reliable players in the whole NBA. In the era of load management, Thompson never missed more than 9 games in a single season due to injury before the 2018-19 season. He was a constant for the Warriors, they could always count on his consistent defensive ability and the ridiculously efficient shooting. We saw it on full display at the beginning of the 2019-2020 season where the Warriors just didn’t look like the team we’ve gotten used to seeing. Golden State not having the splash brothers in the backcourt together and healthy just doesn’t even seem like Golden State but this is just going to be the harsh reality that the warriors will now have to deal with.

The only good news for Golden state this time around is that they are in a better position this year to stay afloat in the western conference than they were at the start of last season. The Warriors have a healthy Steph Curry and Draymond Green coming back to provide the Warriors with the veteran and playoff experience. They also got a promising young talent in James Wiseman with the 2nd overall in this year’s draft.

 

 

However, the most notable signing for the Warriors happened late last night as they will absorb the contract of Kelly Oubre Jr. At 24 years old, Oubre is approaching his 5th season in the NBA. He was traded to Oklahoma City earlier this week in a deal that sent Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Suns last season. He showed promise for the Suns but after they went 8-0 in the NBA bubble without him, he became their assets to acquire Chris Paul. With the timing of this signing, it’s clear that the Warriors will look to Oubre to provide the boost they need at the shooting guard position without Thompson.

 

 

 

 

 

Even with acquiring an established replacement for Klay, having Steph and Draymond both back healthy, and some young talent around them, don’t set your expectations too high for the Warriors this season. The Warriors have just had a lot of roster changes over the past two years and there is just no evidence that this is even a playoff team anymore. Their roster as currently built can defiantly compete in the West and maybe sneak into the playoffs but missing one of the top two-way players in the league is just too large of a blow to have the same championship expectations. Unless the Warriors get Klay back for the playoffs they simply don’t have enough to get past the best of the West and get back to the NBA finals.

 

Nov 20, 2020 No Comments