Mike Prada

We polled 36 executives around the NBA, asking them to rank their top five front offices.

Here are our findings: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

NBA teams are crashing boards like never before. A call to New Zealand got things started You may not know Paul Henare, but if you've watched games recently, you've seen a beloved strategy of his in action.

You often hear that tactics in sports are cyclical. Broadly, there's some truth to that.

But dig deeper into stuff like this from @fredkatz.bsky.social, and you realize it's less that old tactics return and more that they get infused with new principles.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

After an "embarrassing" playoff loss, offseason convos with coaches and meetings with Bam Adebayo, Erik Spoelstra decided to overhaul the Heat's offense.

"We have to evolve," Spo said.

Story w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on an evolution which appears to be working: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

2026 World Cup to feature three-minute hydration breaks in every half throughout tournament Every game will pause for three minutes in the middle of each half, which will essentially split the match into quarters.

Congratulations, soccer. You have four quarters now, not two halves. www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

I'm not sure we've fully comprehended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exceeding 20 points in 95 (!) straight games. When Wilt was doing this, he was playing the entire game. SGA's doing it in 70 percent of the minutes, give or take.

There's no simple way to value the ability to never have an off game.

Seems like the USMNT got a relatively easy group based on the @theathletic.com simulator. www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...

There are a lot of really horrific examples of “it can always get worse” in world history but I find Sepp Blatter to Gianni Infantino hits just the right note of bleak whimsy.

a group of cartoon soccer players are playing a game on a field ALT: a group of cartoon soccer players are playing a game on a field

what it feels like watching the draw

I will never complain about the start of the NBA All-Star Game again

Hold up there's ANOTHER skit?

My advice is to stop this shit and get on with it

Pay-LAY

Basically this www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

In a crowded field, this is an all-time "This could've been an email" event.

It's a lot of money but if you think about it as percentage of the cap, it's not that large of a contract. And the cap is projected to go up 10% the next few years. Still, Netflix will have to worry about the 2nd apron.

Imagining the possibility of CP3 going to Charlotte to end his career as LaMelo Ball's mentor.

Alex Sarr plays so much bigger now than he did as a rookie. He's stronger, but also increasingly knows how to use his strength more effectively. Kristaps Porzingis wanted nothing to do with him tonight.

Oh yeah, the Pistons can just drop Jaden Ivey back into all this.

Jokic and Sengun are functionally point guards in these giant lineups.

Cade Cunningham is trying to wrap up Clutch Player of the Year in November.

Last night was concerning.

NBA seeks cell phones from multiple teams, including Lakers, in gambling investigation: Sources The NBA is continuing its investigation into illegal sports betting after three current or former players were federally indicted.

The NBA widened its own betting probe to ask for cell phones. Two Lakers close to LeBron — and to Damon Jones, who is charged — are among those who complied. @mikevorkunov.bsky.social @samamick.bsky.social @danwoikesports.bsky.social and me www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

I like this version of Scottie Barnes, where he's more of a play finisher than a play starter.

I've thought about this for a long time, and I'm prepared to go out on a limb and say it.

The Thunder might be good.

Mavericks will fire Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka Dončić trade: Sources

Fired Nico www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...

If the Wizards were playing for anything, this loss would've made me quite mad.

tough one, whichever shoots it better i guess. (so tari right now)

I love watching Ron Holland play. Has he Wally Pipped Jaden Ivey?

The Kyshawn George secret is out.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is making traveling impossible to call The rules were not designed with him in mind.

Amazing that this piece is 11 years old and still relevant. www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/12/...