2026 NBA Season

[OgNasty]

It’s Friday and we’re getting a battle for Los Angeles on ESPN. Won’t be too many more of these LeBron vs Kawhi matchups. With the Lakers fully healthy for the first time in a long time I’m expecting to see them try and take home the win over the Clippers.

That's why sports bookies see it, Clippers is 3:1 underdog here. It Lakers are fully healthy and seeing Doncic again, it will be very hard for the Clippers to beat them. Unless Kawhi has a monster game again.

So maybe Kahwi and Doncic can even up the field in scoring, but Lakers still have Reaves so I guess he will be the key difference in this game and if he score like 20+, then I'm expecting the Lakers to win by at double digits here.

Starting like is +/-7 points.

Lakers barely held on for the win after leading the entire game. Luka hit 4 shots from the logo in the first quarter and AR13 had a great game. LeBron only scored 13…

Oddly, Kawhi checked himself out of the game and never came back even though they nearly pulled off a comeback win.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

Lakers barely held on for the win after leading the entire game. Luka hit 4 shots from the logo in the first quarter and AR13 had a great game. LeBron only scored 13…

Oddly, Kawhi checked himself out of the game and never came back even though they nearly pulled off a comeback win.

When I watched the highlight video I saw some comments about that strange Kawhi fact. Some guys said something like "thanks NBA", like it's another rig job to push the Lakers over everything. I mean it sure looks strange, the best guy sitting while the team is almost coming back to win the game. Guess the tank has also reached the Clippers, there is no other reasonable explanation. If you want to win, play your best guy, if you are ok with losing, just sit him. And so they did.  NBA these days really is so lame.

[ajanwalker]

Charlotte continues its two-game losing streak after the All-Star break.
First they lost to Houston, and tonight they lost to Cleveland 113-118.

The most notable game of the night was between Portland and Denver.
Denver defeated Portland by 54 points on the road, 103-157.
Jokic didn't achieve a triple-double but contributed 32 points.

In the Los Angeles derby, the Lakers defeated the Clippers 125-122.

[Cointxz]

Charlotte continues its two-game losing streak after the All-Star break.
First they lost to Houston, and tonight they lost to Cleveland 113-118.

Hornets is currently ranked 10 and they are beaten by top 3 and top 4 teams from East and West so it’s understandable if they will lose back to back against those teams. They are not even a too contender on the league.

Watching Clippers and Lakers rivalry is more entertaining rather than a one-sided match.

Mavs vs Wolves too is good even without Flagg. I thought Mavs can win by cutting down the double digit lead but they can’t stop Antman on the 4th after he take a good rest.

[OgNasty]

LeBron had a lot to say about Kawhi tonight. Including how much he wanted to team up with him and how disappointed he was when Kawhi opted out of the Olympics in 2024.

https://x.com/lakeshowyo/status/2025097321021886665

With Harden already on the Cavs and Kawhi’s issues in LA, could we see Kawhi and LeBron both head to Cleveland next year?

[Stavri]

yesterday in the fourth quarter, Lebron had a clear path to the rim and drove inside. he glided past the right side of the defense to his left and tried to finish with his signature layup but his arm just had nothing left he airballed it. my eyes actually welled up. at one point, he was absolutely terrorizing the NBA. aging is a trip. Even if you're the GOAT, seeing this happen is just heartbreaking.

[tygeade]

It's a blessing and a curse for Tatum though. Blessing because Tatum looks healthy now, there are videos of him in practice and playing along with the team so maybe anytime he can get back to the roster or it could extend his rest so that he can really fully recovered from that devastating injuries. Curse if he comes back because the team has built their chemistry already. So him coming back might disrupt what they have established and looking at Brown as their main offensive weapon. Good to see KP back and playing for the Warriors for the first time and against his former team. But the Warriors still lost as they really struggled with Curry and a season injury for Butler.

A player like Tatum would never hurt a team, no matter how good you are doing, it is not going to hurt to add a superstar to your squad and yes I understand Celtics isn't bad right now, but they are also not looking like a team that may win the league, not this year at least. With Tatum coming back and playing like he always does, that could take the team from just a good team to a championship level team.

On the east there aren't that many great teams, Celtics is already second and weirdly Pistons is the first, the team that did the worst only 2 years ago. So, if Celtics gets Tatum back and they play great then we are going to see them become the best team in the east. Finals will always be hard, but it is still a good thing to get him back.

[Oasisman]

LeBron had a lot to say about Kawhi tonight. Including how much he wanted to team up with him and how disappointed he was when Kawhi opted out of the Olympics in 2024.

https://x.com/lakeshowyo/status/2025097321021886665

With Harden already on the Cavs and Kawhi’s issues in LA, could we see Kawhi and LeBron both head to Cleveland next year?

If that happens, it will be insane. It's quite interesting to see Kawhi and LeBron on the same team, and you have Harden and Mitchell, this is like the Avengers being assembled in Cleveland. However, realistically? There are a lot of moving pieces that would have to fall perfectly into place (salary cap, health, Kawhi’s own preferences, franchise direction, etc.).

LeBron's chances of going back to Cleveland next season are increasing day by day, not sure if he's gonna leave Bronny behind, lol. It's pretty interesting who's gonna sign with the Cavs along with him. 

[Mustang Shelby]

yesterday in the fourth quarter, Lebron had a clear path to the rim and drove inside. he glided past the right side of the defense to his left and tried to finish with his signature layup but his arm just had nothing left he airballed it. my eyes actually welled up. at one point, he was absolutely terrorizing the NBA. aging is a trip. Even if you're the GOAT, seeing this happen is just heartbreaking.

LeBron James is a basketball player who performs exceptionally well despite his age. His career is full of successes, and he's an idol for many young players in the NBA. In my opinion, LeBron James is to basketball what Cristiano Ronaldo is to football. Of course, everything has an end, and these talents eventually begin to slow down. Perhaps retiring at the peak of his career in his final years would be best for him.

[Stavri]

yesterday in the fourth quarter, Lebron had a clear path to the rim and drove inside. he glided past the right side of the defense to his left and tried to finish with his signature layup but his arm just had nothing left he airballed it. my eyes actually welled up. at one point, he was absolutely terrorizing the NBA. aging is a trip. Even if you're the GOAT, seeing this happen is just heartbreaking.

LeBron James is a basketball player who performs exceptionally well despite his age. His career is full of successes, and he's an idol for many young players in the NBA. In my opinion, LeBron James is to basketball what Cristiano Ronaldo is to football. Of course, everything has an end, and these talents eventually begin to slow down. Perhaps retiring at the peak of his career in his final years would be best for him.

Between his skill set his accolades and all those records and rings, LeBron is already a certified legend in the NBA. and as a fan of course i want to keep watching him play as long as i can. and imo it’s still incredible that he’s still performing at this level you just don’t see 41 year olds playing like this.

[arwin100]

LeBron had a lot to say about Kawhi tonight. Including how much he wanted to team up with him and how disappointed he was when Kawhi opted out of the Olympics in 2024.

https://x.com/lakeshowyo/status/2025097321021886665

Maybe Lebron at that time that Kawhi will commit on Lakers, but Kawhi have other plans and stated that he want to build his own legacy rather than joining on a well established team.

With Harden already on the Cavs and Kawhi’s issues in LA, could we see Kawhi and LeBron both head to Cleveland next year?

If Cavs will continue to succeed with current Mitchell and Harden paired up, I don't think that situation would really happen. Cavs now didn't lose any single game after Harden join on their team. Its like he blends well on that team easily, that's the reason they succeed to defeat even those contender teams.

[Maslate]

If Cavs will continue to succeed with current Mitchell and Harden paired up, I don't think that situation would really happen. Cavs now didn't lose any single game after Harden join on their team. Its like he blends well on that team easily, that's the reason they succeed to defeat even those contender teams.

They’re looking good lately, honestly. The ball movement is much better now, and Harden isn’t really trying to carry the team by himself. It’s still Mitchell leading, but the way Harden moves the ball makes his teammates better.

In that game versus the Hornets, he had 8 assists, and the game before that I think he had 9. So you can tell he really wants to move the ball and get everyone involved. He’s not trying to play the hero anymore. Because of that, they’re more unpredictable now. I really like this move, to be honest. There might be a chance that both Mitchell and Harden finally get their first championship ring.

[Jinetics1111]

All this tanking and weirdly timed injuries is making the NBA so trash at times they just come off of ALL STAR weekend/break and I'm seeing guys doubtful for rest, for rest? You guys just came off a nice break to recoup and what not and you still need more, imagine getting paid to basically play a game and workout and guys need more pampering and they wonder why the "old heads" say back in the day the game was way better and competitive.

[Finestream]

All this tanking and weirdly timed injuries is making the NBA so trash at times they just come off of ALL STAR weekend/break and I'm seeing guys doubtful for rest, for rest? You guys just came off a nice break to recoup and what not and you still need more, imagine getting paid to basically play a game and workout and guys need more pampering and they wonder why the "old heads" say back in the day the game was way better and competitive.

Which players are you referring to exactly? Sorry mate, I’m not really following all the teams in the NBA, so I might not fully get what you mean. Please be more specific.

The teams I usually follow already have their star players back, like the Lakers, they’re complete now, and the Clippers, since Leonard is back. I think only the Warriors are still missing Curry, not sure about the other teams though.

[Jinetics1111]

All this tanking and weirdly timed injuries is making the NBA so trash at times they just come off of ALL STAR weekend/break and I'm seeing guys doubtful for rest, for rest? You guys just came off a nice break to recoup and what not and you still need more, imagine getting paid to basically play a game and workout and guys need more pampering and they wonder why the "old heads" say back in the day the game was way better and competitive.

Which players are you referring to exactly? Sorry mate, I’m not really following all the teams in the NBA, so I might not fully get what you mean. Please be more specific.

The teams I usually follow already have their star players back, like the Lakers, they’re complete now, and the Clippers, since Leonard is back. I think only the Warriors are still missing Curry, not sure about the other teams though.

Mainly Utah and Washington are openly tanking and I believe there was a fine handed out as well, the Wizards were playing before the break in a close game and NONE of the starters were in the game they had the bench out there the whole quarter. To be fair the teams you follow are actually trying to compete at this stage and I'm venting from a fantasy perspective mainly too 

[el kaka22]

While I am sure that the new owners of Lakers will want more money, trying to recoup the investment they are making, it is not going to get full stadiums with those prices. On top of that, it is not about them spending more money, there is a cap, and while they "can" get Giannis with a trade, and get high tax hit, and will have to pay that, there is still a limit and it is not like football where they can just pay to get any player they want.

Giannis could go there in theory, but they would have to somehow give Rui, Austin, Vanderbilt all together and get only Giannis, which would be pretty near impossible.

[Japinat]

Giannis could go there in theory, but they would have to somehow give Rui, Austin, Vanderbilt all together and get only Giannis, which would be pretty near impossible.

That’s a lot to give up, especially Rui and Vanderbilt who are solid defenders, and Austin who can really score. You’re basically giving up depth just to get Giannis, and it’s not even sure if he’ll fit right away with the team. The Lakers would end up undermanned, then they’ll rely too much on their main starters. That could hurt them in the playoffs when rotations get tighter and fatigue kicks in.

I don’t know, it sounds big on paper, but I’m not fully convinced it’s the right move.

[mirakal]

I don’t know, it sounds big on paper, but I’m not fully convinced it’s the right move.

It doesn’t even sound good on paper honestly. If the Lakers really want Giannis then they probably have to give up another superstar, trading role players and depth won’t be enough. For me the most realistic move is trading LeBron for Giannis, maybe LeBron plus one more piece. That sounds more fair, especially now that LeBron is getting older and not really in his prime anymore.

And imagine Giannis and Luka on the same court, that’s scary.
If that ever happens there’s a huge chance they win a championship, maybe even back to back if everything clicks.

[Fredomago]

I don’t know, it sounds big on paper, but I’m not fully convinced it’s the right move.

It doesn’t even sound good on paper honestly. If the Lakers really want Giannis then they probably have to give up another superstar, trading role players and depth won’t be enough. For me the most realistic move is trading LeBron for Giannis, maybe LeBron plus one more piece. That sounds more fair, especially now that LeBron is getting older and not really in his prime anymore.

And imagine Giannis and Luka on the same court, that’s scary.
If that ever happens there’s a huge chance they win a championship, maybe even back to back if everything clicks.

That's a good one instead of sending your 2-way players, for publicity and ticket sales maybe Bucks will buy the offer if ever LeBron and Lakers management will agree to seperate ways, though eveything will going  to depend on what both sides will demands and how they'll going to settle the deal, bringing Giannis to play together with Luka and Austin seems great if all of them are willing to adjust and play with the system.

[ILuckyGuyI]

Lakers led the game vs Clippers for a quite long time in fact. But still Clippers didn't let them win by a big gap. Only a difference of 3 points at the end...

It was lovely to watch Luka vs Kawhi at the same time.    Luka 8 three pointers made in the game. What an effort!

And imagine Giannis and Luka on the same court, that’s scary.
If that ever happens there’s a huge chance they win a championship, maybe even back to back if everything clicks.

I can't even imagine such scenario... Giannis is like modern day Shaq. Playing beside Luka would make up a deadly duo. LeBron is also still playing of course but even when he retires the team would stay strong in that situation.