NBA Click & Roll: Lakers have complete faith in coach Luke Walton
Welcome to Paste BN Sports' NBA Click & Roll newsletter.
We'll bring you exclusive content from Paste BN's NBA reporters Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt, including updates on all their exploits on the NBA beat. Plus, you'll have all the top NBA moments spoon-fed to your inbox.
QUICK DISH: THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
A philosophical question: If someone says something noteworthy, what makes it actually newsworthy? Is it the nature of the person's comments, or is it simply who the person is? What about substance? Or validity? Does volume matter? Volume seems to matter.
The NBA world dizzied itself around these questions this past week. When LaVar Ball, speaking from Lithuania, claimed the Los Angeles Lakers didn't want to play for their coach, Luke Walton, was it his opinion? Was it an informed opinion given that his son plays for the team? Was the story a salacious, unfair attack as Dallas coach Rick Carlisle alleged? What role does ESPN, an NBA broadcast partner and journalistic entity, have in this ethical mess?
Steve Kerr, one of Walton's best friends, said it's more a societal issue, and he can't figure out why people care so much about Ball.
Dallas owner Mark Cuban claims LaVar is good for the league, but a more poignant question and the only thing Lakers fans should care about: Is the noise taking a significant toll on Lonzo and the Lakers? The Lakers are 2-8 in their last 10 games.
Despite the firestorm, Luke Walton's job isn't in danger. What's more, the Lakers don't regret drafting Lonzo with the No. 2 overall pick, either.
The Big Baller Brand seems to be going the way of Lonzo's three-point shooting. LaVar's brainchild got an "F" from the Better Business Bureau.
Perhaps a better business move would be Steph Curry purchasing the Carolina Panthers. He says he's "very interested" in the proposition.
What exactly was the one-and-only-D-R-E doing at Warriors practice on Tuesday? We're fairly confident this is Paste BN Sports' first exclusive with Dr. Dre.
A good rule of thumb: If you're being interviewed, on live TV, it's better not to curse, Carmelo Anthony.
Another good rule of thumb: Don't clothesline people, Isaiah Thomas.
Better yet, don't punch people. We're looking at you, James Johnson and Serge Ibaka.
Gordon Hayward is definitely making progress. A reminder that he never fully ruled out the possibility of returning this season.
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook said his sales pitch to teammate Paul George — who becomes a free agent this summer — will be "a championship." In response, George made clear his future in Oklahoma City wasn't entirely dependent on a title.
ALL-STAR PREDICTIONS!
The NBA released early fan voting numbers ahead of the 2018 All-Star Game in Los Angeles, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant were the respective leaders from each conference. But who should get to LA?
Sam and Jeff predicted this season's 24 All-Stars.
NBA PLAYERS SPEAK OUT
Whether it was LeBron James sounding off on H&M's controversial hoodie or Celtics second-year guard Jaylen Brown ahead of Boston's game in London, NBA players continued to address the current social climate.
According to Brown, "Some people think racism has dissipated or no longer exists. But it's hidden in more strategic places. You have less people coming to your face and telling you certain things. (President) Trump has made it a lot more acceptable for racists to speak their minds."
IT'S STILL GOLDEN STATE'S LEAGUE, BUT ...
This week's power rankings show a small change in the league's tectonic plates. Thanks to Houston's injuries, there are three Eastern Conference teams on the heels of the Warriors.
NEW YEAR, NEW MVP
No one seems quite sure what to make of James Harden's hamstring injury that will keep him out for at least another week. In his stead is LeBron James, who takes the weekly MVP throne for the first time this season. Our latest rankings.
RACE FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR IS ON
Ben Simmons or Donovan Mitchell? Jayson Tatum or Kyle Kuzma? The race is far more contested at the season's halfway mark than anyone anticipated.
A CHAT WITH KARA
Sam and Jeff chat with former WNBA player and current Wizards TV analyst Kara Lawson on the latest A to Z podcast.
Check back next week for everything you missed from around the Association.