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Does the NBA know what to do about players sitting out?
Most Valuable Buck?
Five takeaways from Dame’s Milwaukee debut
We’re one game into Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks era and already have evidence of its returns. (It’s not as if such returns needed too much time to materialize. This wasn’t one of those “let’s see how this plays out for a few months” situations. The Bucks immediately became title favorites before the press conference post-trade).
To open the season, they beat the 76ers 118-117 as Lillard scored a game-high 39 points. He was also 17-of-17 from the line as Giannis Antetokounmpo went 3-of-9 from the stripe. Of course, time remains before the Bucks can seek their second title in four years, but that won’t stop our five takeaways from their season-opening win:
- The Bucks have a closer: Dame has been arguably the game’s best closer for a decade. He creates an easy hierarchy. Just give Dame the ball and let him operate with the weapons on the floor. He forces opponents into impossible decisions.
- The high-screen action is devastating: Look at this video from Steve Jones. It shows one of those impossible decisions Dame forces, this time attacking downhill off-screen action from 35 feet away. And dropping back leaves ample room, so you must blitz him.
- Their defense is still exposable: Milwaukee could have blown out Philly, but the latter hit 16 3s on 45.7 percent shooting. Without Jrue Holiday, the Bucks’ perimeter defense is much weaker.
- Need more help: The Bucks are being cautious with Khris Middleton’s minutes, but only 16 in an opener is troublesome.
- Sixers should have enough scoring without James Harden: They can’t count on Kelly Oubre for 27 off the bench every night, but I loved how Tyrese Maxey (team-high 31 points, eight assists) and Tobias Harris (20 points, 3-of-3 on 3s) played.
Let’s check in on some news from Shams as the weekend nears.
The Latest From Shams
Early-season concerns in Chicago
A couple of days into the season, there are already questions about the short- and long-term future of the Bulls.
- After Chicago’s 124-104 season-opening loss to Oklahoma City, I’m told players, led by veteran Nikola Vučević, expressed frustration with the Bulls’ offense, which they felt was similar to last season’s after being under the impression things would be different.
- Off the court, I’m told Chicago, which is largely running things back with its core from last season, would like to bring back DeMar DeRozan, who is on an expiring deal. The Bulls and DeRozan have discussed an extension, but the sides remain apart on years and salary, and the 34-year-old DeRozan wants to see where the team goes before committing to a return.
Chicago plays host to Toronto tonight in a game many around the league are sure to have their eyes on.
Restricting Minute Restrictions
LBJ play entire fourth quarter to win
LeBron James’ minutes restriction was a key topic after the Lakers’ season-opening loss in Denver. So, with the Lakers down 12 entering the fourth quarter against the Suns last night, Darvin Ham and LeBron had a decision to make: maintain the restriction or just let LeBron play?
He’d played 23 minutes by then, so they decided to let him play the entire fourth quarter as the Lakers erased their deficit thanks, in part, to LeBron’s 10-point period. Anthony Davis chipped in 13 during that quarter as the Lakers secured the 100-95 win.
Is this a viable approach for the Lakers this season? LeBron isn’t the indestructible force he once was, having played over 65,000 minutes in his 21-year NBA career. The Lakers needing to manage his minutes is a tricky endeavor. They were plus-22 in LeBron’s 35 minutes but got outscored by 17 points in his 13 minutes on the bench.
That just can’t happen. They can’t tax a man who will turn 39 soon, no matter how unprecedented he is in Year 21.
Policies in Play
PPP, flop penalties immediately tested
Naturally, three days into the season, we’re already seeing both of the NBA’s new policies go through it. The league implemented the Player Participation Policy and technical fouls for flopping. Whether by forcing teams to play stars (namely in nationally televised games) or limiting players from embellishing contact to fabricate fouls, the NBA wants to make the game more watchable in two very different ways.
It’s also noble to change game elements fans (and broadcast partners) hate. So far, those tweaks are being tested and judged:
These are judgment calls, but they’ll be picked apart on social media because that’s just what we do.
As for the PPP, the NBA is already investigating Harden’s situation due to him being away from the team’s nationally televised season-opener in Milwaukee last night. The Harden-Philly situation will be a massive litmus test for the league enforcing a policy most people see as an attempt to appease negotiations with broadcast partners.
Not to mention, Bradley Beal has missed the first two Suns games (both nationally televised) with a back issue, and Devin Booker missed last night against the Lakers with a foot injury. Booker tore up the Warriors on opening night with 32 points.
The league can’t police injuries. Investigating injuries this early in the season would look like a desperate ploy to show this policy means business. But Harden’s situation? That’s where the NBA has some wiggle room. Here are a few reasons why:
- The NBA doesn’t love public trade requests.
- Harden has already been fined $100,000 for publicly calling Morey a liar and saying he wouldn’t play for the team with Morey there.
- The Sixers can say there are conditioning or physical restrictions for Harden because he missed practice for 10 days.
- This is clearly an awkward game of chicken between both parties.
If the NBA doesn’t levy some kind of penalty here, it potentially undermines its own policy. With a penalty, the league could look desperate to validate itself. Either way, let’s embrace the chaos.
Bounce Passes
The Kings are looking to build greatness by keeping continuity.
Forbes broke down franchise values. The Warriors are once again No. 1.
John Hollinger has 12 players ready to make a leap, including the Blazers’ Deandre Ayton.
Dereck Lively II outplayed Wemby in the opener and should start.
Screen Game (All times Eastern)
(Top photo: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)