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Are home windows closing for Lakers, Clippers? Plus, your WNBA postseason replace

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The Bounce Newsletter :basketball: | That is The Athletic’s day by day NBA e-newsletter. Join right here to obtain The Bounce straight in your inbox.

If that is it for Diana Taurasi, she’s had probably the most spectacular basketball careers everand is one of many coldest opponents of all time. Salute, DT!

L.A. Story

Will Lakers, Clippers matter for proper causes?

Within the “John Wick” film franchise, a part of the lore of its titular character is that he obtained out of the hitman/murderer enterprise by finishing an unimaginable activity. It helped arrange Viggo Tarasov’s empire, and it allowed Wick to maneuver on to a standard life. Wick’s dedication and singular deal with what’s vital to him allowed him to perform the unimaginable.

The extra I take a look at the Western Convention panorama going into the 2024-25 season, the extra it seems to be like any group attempting to succeed in the NBA Finals on that facet of the bracket should accomplish the unimaginable. (May I’ve as a substitute in contrast this problem to some other work of fiction? Sure, however then I wouldn’t have gotten to sort a paragraph about John Wick.) It’ll be even more durable than what Dallas managed to do a couple of months in the past by profitable the West.

Two examples are the 2 groups within the second-biggest market: The Lakers and the Clippers have unimaginable duties in entrance of them.

The great for the Lakers:

The unhealthy for the Lakers:

I’ve been questioning aloud (or, not less than, aloud on this e-newsletter) what we’d take into consideration the Lakers’ contending possibilities if the Nuggets didn’t exist as their roadblock. Would we take them extra critically? Or have they really maximized what is affordable to anticipate? And the way will their strategy change this season?

Redick has already come out and stated he’s going to make use of the beginning lineup of LeBron, AD, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura. The Lakers have been 20-10 (while you rely Play-In and playoffs) when that lineup began final 12 months. That’s a 54-win tempo.

Lately, the Lakers have been extra of a sideshow than Lake Present, and they should change that narrative as we probably get to the tip of the LeBron period. I’m undecided how a lot of that chaos dies down with Bronny James on the squad, including one other ingredient of distraction. Are the Lakers merely relegated to combating by the Play-In Match and hoping they don’t face Denver? Or can they be greater than that? Then, there’s the different group in LA …

The great for the Clippers:

The unhealthy for the Clippers:

It’s honest to marvel if the Clippers may even keep within the Play-In Match territory within the West, contemplating Memphis shall be again with a wholesome Ja Morant and Houston is prepared to kick the door off the hinges. Not having PG round to assist carry the franchise whereas Leonard is attempting to get wholesome will make this more durable than final season, when Leonard performed 68 video games.

For years, we simply hoped to see this group wholesome within the playoffs and perhaps the “title contender on paper” standing would present up on the courtroom. Now? Are you able to assure it finishes within the prime 10 within the West? By the best way, the Thunder have a decide swap with the Clippers for the 2025 draft.

The Newest From Shams

Derrick Rose retires; Kawhi Leonard replace

Derrick Rose is retiring after 16 NBA seasons and a profession that included a Rookie of the 12 months honor and an MVP award at simply 22 years outdated. Right here’s what Rose stated about his retirement in a press release to The Athletic:

“The following chapter is about chasing my goals and sharing my development. I imagine true success comes from turning into who you have been created to be, and I wish to present the world who I’m past basketball.

“Whether or not good or unhealthy, everybody has a ‘What if’ story of their life. Even when I may, I wouldn’t change something in mine, as a result of it’s what helped me discover actual pleasure.”

For his profession, Rose, the No. 1 decide within the 2008 draft, averaged 17.4 factors and 5.2 assists over 723 regular-season video games.

Kawhi Leonard underwent a process on his knee within the offseason, league sources inform Legislation Murray and me. The Clippers stated Tuesday that Leonard, who missed 4 of LA’s six playoff video games final season and was withdrawn from Crew USA in July, shall be restricted to strengthening his knee to start out coaching camp, however group officers are optimistic about him.

Full Extension

Is it obligatory to increase your star gamers?

As talked about above, the Clippers are, as soon as once more, coping with Leonard and his damage considerations. His knee has failed him time and time once more, and, whereas lazy pundits wish to use him because the poster little one for load administration, the reality is Leonard merely hasn’t been wholesome because the 2016-17 season. Even within the title run for Toronto in 2019, Leonard was dragging his leg up and down the courtroom on the best way to the Larry O’Brien trophy. Regardless of full data of Leonard’s damage historical past and lack of availability, the Clippers prolonged his deal this previous January. The 33-year outdated acquired a three-year deal for over $150 million.

It may need price the Clippers Paul George, contemplating they felt the monetary strain of the looming second-apron tax penalties sufficient to quote them as causes for not bringing PG again. They basically selected Leonard and now are again to hoping he may be wholesome for the playoffs.

It’s not the one latest instance of an injured star being prolonged. Joel Embiid simply inked a three-year, $192.9 million extension. He performed 39 video games final season and has by no means made 70 appearances in a season. However he’s additionally an MVP and among the finest gamers on the planet. Jamal Murray simply obtained a four-year, $208 million extension from the Nuggets regardless of by no means being an All-Star or All-NBA. He additionally regarded horrible within the Olympics, has questions on his well being, and hasn’t performed in 70 video games since 2019 … however he helped them win a title in 2023.

We’re going to see related max extensions being thrown at Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, although there are questions on their sturdiness and availability. They’re additionally superior at their jobs. In a CBA world the place groups are afraid of the second-apron penalties, although, availability considerations aren’t stopping them from throwing cash at injury-prone stars. They deal with the wage cap surrounding these extensions like I deal with ordering an excessive amount of sushi. “That’s an issue for future me, however we don’t care about future me proper now.”

Although the Clippers basically simply did it by letting George stroll, I can’t think about seeing groups persistently keep away from giving out these offers to injured gamers. It’s higher to hope and pray for well being somewhat than retool a roster whereas attempting to not get fired.

WNBA Playoffs

4 sweeps pave means for semifinals

In case you have been hoping for some dynamic and dramatic best-of-three collection within the first spherical of the WNBA playoffs, I’ve unhealthy information for you. It’s over. It’s achieved. The brooms achieved been damaged out for all 4 playoff collection. All 4 groups who gained on Sunday to open up the postseason closed out on Tuesday or Wednesday nights.

That is the place we stand with the WNBA playoffs heading into the semis.

    • The Acesshut out the Storm in two video games:A’ja Wilson had a lightweight 24 factors and 13 rebounds whereas Kelsey Plum lit up the Storm for 29 factors. Impulsively, a very good Storm squad is distributed house, and the Aces proceed their march towards the primary three-peat because the Comets from 1997-2000.
    • The Liberty ship the Dream house:Sabrina Ionescu lit up Atlanta with 36 factors on 12-of-23 from the sector and 5-of-11 from deep. She additionally had 9 assists and three steals. New York shook off a sluggish begin and shut down the Dream within the second half.

The Liberty and Aces will face off within the semifinals, beginning Sunday:Lots of people have been hoping for this as a finals matchup, however we’re getting it subsequent spherical. The Aces beat the Liberty within the finals 3-1 final 12 months. Prediction:Aces in 5.

As for the opposite facet of the bracket …

    • The Solarended Caitlin Clark’s season:I actually wished a 3rd recreation on this collection as a result of it looks as if the groups legitimately don’t like one another. Each time Clark obtained caught up in some bodily positioning after a whistle, Marina Mabrey regarded able to throw down. Clark had a a lot better second recreation (25 factors, 9 assists). And the Fever led with a couple of minutes left within the fourth. However the Solar have been too good and despatched Indiana house.
    • No person can guard Napheesa Collier:The Lynx star and MVP runner-up MVP dropped 38 in Recreation 1. The Mercury in all probability realized their lesson on tips on how to defend her higher for Recreation 2, proper? Incorrect! Phee dropped 42 to ship the Mercury to their offseason, and presumably ship Diana Taurasi to her retirement.

The Lynx and Solar will face off within the semifinals, beginning Sunday:The 2 finest defenses within the league will battle to see who goes to the WNBA Finals. Prediction:Lynx in 4.

Bounce Passes

I’m totally ready for all Victor Wembanyama hyperbole in 12 months 2.

Most-clicked in Monday’s e-newsletter:The Warriors’ subsequent steps.

(High picture: Andrew D. Bernstein / Getty Pictures)

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