Do Kawhi Leonard, Clippers have new window? Plus, TV networks need Charles Barkley
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I actually hope Zach has loved his day off whereas the Clippers ponder Kawhi Leonard’s whole minutes this season.
A Recent Begin
New area, new chapter for Kawhi, Clippers?
The LA Clippers have usually been seen because the Los Angeles workforce with a deeper roster, however that hasn’t led to an NBA championship. We all know that’s the one means the Clippers can actually seize and maintain headlines for lengthy within the metropolis.
This Clippers workforce might be totally different. Will probably be in its new area, the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome. Paul George left for Philadelphia in free company. Russell Westbrook was traded to Utah and is now a Denver Nugget.
The Athletic’s Legislation Murray gave us an in depth breakdown of how the Clippers’ rotation would possibly look this season. Coach Ty Lue has needed to be inventive with the rotation over time as a result of his stars have so routinely been out and in the lineup resulting from accidents.
That’s one downside Lue doesn’t wish to convey with the workforce to the Intuit Dome. And the majority of that concern lies with Kawhi Leonard.
- The scuttle across the NBA throughout Leonard’s free company in 2019 was whether or not he may very well be a participant who performs 60-plus video games each season. Leonard had simply gained an NBA championship with Toronto, however there have been harm issues.
- Leonard, 33, has performed greater than 60 video games simply as soon as as a Clipper — final season, when he appeared in 68 contests earlier than a proper knee harm ended his playoff run after two video games. The 34.3 minutes Leonard averaged had been additionally his most with the Clippers.
And not using a wholesome Leonard, Los Angeles basically has no probability at a championship. James Harden is 35, and anticipating him to hold a crew of non-stars to a title is unrealistic.
Ribbon minimize @IntuitDome pic.twitter.com/uNLBVqMqpG
— Legislation Murray 💡 (@LawMurrayTheNU) August 16, 2024
Murray’s evaluation brings into query the depth of this season’s squad. Six rotation gamers might be again, however filling the opening left by George won’t be easy.
Derrick Jones Jr. is a pleasant pickup, however he’s not George. Even with Harden and Leonard’s ages being an element, it’s not as if the Clippers will fall into the lottery subsequent season, although. A Harden-Leonard duo coupled with Lue’s very good teaching ought to be sufficient to maintain the Clippers in competition for a top-six spot within the West.
In actuality, the Clippers may have loads of followers at video games within the new area. Lakers followers will enterprise there out of curiosity if the ticket costs are proper. However in the case of relevance, the one issues that may matter in Los Angeles are rings — and never the Intuit Dome ones given to followers.
The window for the Clippers to enter a season as title favorites is likely to be closed. If Leonard misses loads of time, there’s no level in attempting to open it once more.
New Frontiers
Adam Silver talks potential enlargement
So, with the NBA’s media rights deal performed, isn’t it time to maneuver on to enlargement?
Not so quick, says commissioner Adam Silver. Promoting fairness within the league could be “sophisticated,” he stated Tuesday on the NBA board of governors assembly. Right here’s extra on his clarification:
“What which means for the prevailing tv relationships, and many others. (could be sophisticated).What we’ve advised events is, ‘Thanks on your curiosity; we’ll be again to you.’”
Silver stated no committee had been shaped to look at enlargement, however it is going to be addressed later within the season.
We hear you, Commish. However that doesn’t imply the enlargement chatter hasn’t been on the market.
Seattle has been ready for a workforcebecause the Sonics had been moved to Oklahoma Metropolis in 2008 and repackaged because the Thunder. Town virtually had a deal to maneuver the Kings to the Pacific Northwest in 2013 earlier than late commissioner David Stern, then-Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and the group rallied to seek out possession (led by Vivek Ranadive) to maintain the workforce in California.
The FIBA secretary basic met with NBA’s Board of Governors this week as league continues to discover what it might do in Europe. One concept would come with a league with present European groups, and will embrace potential funding from Gulf states. https://t.co/fGVJLRXGgq https://t.co/P1fap9sGiZ
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 11, 2024
It’s simply assumed Seattle will get a workforce. It is smart. There can be group help, too. I keep in mind Sonics followers “scouting” the Kings in 2013 amid the relocation rumors as they prepped to see who they is likely to be cheering for, again once I was a Kings beat author.
The NBA’s infatuation with Vegas isn’t any secret. Past summer time league, the In-Season Match ends there, too.
Gamers love the town. Some NBA gamers already name Vegas residence within the offseason. They could adore it extra if they’ll reside there outdoors of the summer time months. The NFL, NHL and WNBA have already got a presence within the metropolis, too (identical to Seattle).
These are the 2 cities that take advantage of sense, however as soon as the method opens, who is aware of which cities will stand up for a bit of the league? Goes worldwide (once more) an actual risk?
I like Mexico and have lined an NBA sport there. I’m undecided if a workforce in Mexico can be a well-liked spot for gamers, however followers there have loved the NBA expertise. Perhaps one other workforce in Canada is smart? We’ll have to attend and see.
Networks Need Barkley
Will Chuck stick with TNT?
Tampering doesn’t apply to broadcasters.
ESPN and NBC executives have each stated they’d be curious about including Corridor of Fame participant and broadcaster Charles Barkley ought to he turn out to be accessible.
Barkley stated final month he isn’t leaving Turner Sports activities. Relying on the end result of litigation, this is likely to be the final season Turner carries the NBA. That will mark the tip of the iconic “Contained in the NBA,” for which Barkley is an Emmy Award winner as an analyst.
Having hung out with Barkley, I can guarantee you he’s at residence and pleased with Turner. He doesn’t imagine ESPN or another community would permit him to be himself. Barkley pushes the envelope together with his honesty. Even should you disagree with him, you’ll be able to’t say Barkley isn’t being real together with his opinions.
If Turner finally loses in courtroom and loses rights to broadcast the NBA, I’d watch Barkley do no matter Turner asks of him. Turner will nonetheless have MLB, NHL, March Insanity and AEW wrestling. I don’t wish to see a censored Barkley on one other community.
Bounce Passes
DeMar DeRozan opens up about NBA gamers and psychological well being.
Is Lonzo Ball prepared to play once more? Darnell Mayberry solutions.
Most-clicked in Monday’s e-newsletter: Caitlin Clark has a possibility to develop as a frontrunner.
(Prime photograph: Andrew D. Bernstein / Getty Photographs)
