By far the biggest story across the league this year is the beginning of the Victor Wembanyama Era. And yes, it does need to be capitalized, I think. Erik Spoelstra had this to say about the 7'4" Frenchman after his Heat took on Wemby's Spurs in a preseason game over the weekend, "We’ve seen the footage, we’ve read about him, we’ve heard what everybody said about him. But until you actually see it, live, in person, there’s no real way to describe it.”
Thomas Bryant had no way to describe it, that's for sure:
Andrew Wiggins, similarly vexed:
Wembanyama averaged 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in only 20.8 minutes per game during the Spurs' four-game preseason. With all the caveats about staying healthy, adjusting to the grind of an 82-game season, and dealing with the physicality of grown-ass men acknowledged, we're massively excited to watch the kid play. And we place a great deal of faith in Greg Popovich's ability to both protect his player and maximize the rookie's production. The grapes are coming in nicely for the veteran coach.
On the other end of the spectrum, the NBA released this year's City Edition uniforms, and they appear to have been designed by a group of 13 year-olds who thought they were playing Dungeons and Dragons. Seriously, look at this crap:
We'll go back to the good for our final two items, both involving former W&M stars. Nathan Knight will suit up for his fourth NBA franchise in 2023-24 after signing a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. As Tribe booster No Bid Nation noted on Twitter, "William and Mary hoops, a feeder school for the Maine Red Claws.
Speaking of the G League, Tribe (and Gran Canaria) legend Jim Moran was named the head coach of the Rip City Remix, Portland's top affiliate. Moran (who started his coaching career with the...wait for it...Maine Red Claws) has been an assistant with the Blazers and Pistons since 2015. Put one foot in front of the other, Jimmy, and soon you'll be walking through that door, unlike Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish.
Happy NBA season, Gheorghies. You the man you the man.
nate knight
jim moran
I just knew the long-awaited Wiz jersey would be weak. Like their name.
ReplyDeleteI don't hate the font, "The District" is ok. Pastels are the opposite of what that's going for. I'd rather have DofI parchment background and blank ink writing. Maybe We the People font. But I guess that was all technically Philly, dammit.
This was the opportunity to work in rob's Washington Justice/Supreme Court idea from 100 years ago. Bleh.
Justice/Supreme Court is inspired. In light of recent events I would change any Washington team to the Diddlers and their home field/court would be The House.
ReplyDeleteCaught some of the Nuggets-Lakers opener last night waiting for the baseball game, and between innings. I know that I'm criminally late to Jokic -- didn't watch much of him until last season's playoffs -- but the guy is mesmerizing on the opposite end of the Wemby spectrum.
ReplyDeleteHe went for 29-13-11 in 36 minutes and made 3 of 5 3-pointers. He's 6-11, 285, often moves like it, shoots from behind his head and at times is practically unstoppable. Unicorn.
Also, Conscripts-Snakes ought to be a competitive, entertaining World Series, though as everyone points out, with all but zero star power.
did dwight howard just come out in a really bizarre way? which would be on brand for that dude. the bizarre part, anyway.
ReplyDeletetiny, glad you enjoyed my Red Claws joke
ReplyDeletethat was you, huh? how 'bout that.
ReplyDeleteThe Dwight story is quite something. I mentioned to Greg that I wasn't as shocked as expected. Dwight is...different.
ReplyDelete“I ain't gotta tell nobody where I put my wood at” is an all timer quote.
ReplyDeleteBrief update on legislative and election f*ckery, North Carolina edition. State legislature redrew and this week approved Congressional district maps that will all but eliminate at least three Democratic representatives. State delegation will likely have 11 Republicans and three Dems after 2024 elections, despite having close to a 50-50 split in GOP and Dem vote totals in recent elections.
ReplyDeleteThis occurred because state Supreme Court (GOP controlled) ruled that courts have no standing to decide gerrymandering. Only legislature, it ruled, may weigh in on gerrymandering and what constitutes fair apportionment. NC legislature has veto-proof Republican majorities in both House and Senate, due to prior gerrymandered state districts that packed the legislature.
My state. So proud.
hello, gheorghies, you magnificent bastards. flying to louisville in the morning for a weekend-long bourbon tour with neighborhood friends. thoughts and prayers for my liver are much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteexquisite, rob. entirely jealous...probably great weather there too. am guessing you're all hooked up w/xportation - "i gotta guy" that moonlights as a bourbon trail sprinter van xport fella.godspeed either way.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one here a little jealous of Rob's lifestyle? Maybe it's because I've been working 6.9 days a week since June.
ReplyDeletethe lifestyle, she is about to change. stay tuned to this channel for an important announcement soonish.
ReplyDeleteHaven't done the bourbron trail but have enjoyed many a glass of bourbon in Louisville. Try and grab dinner at Proof on Main and a drink at the bar at The Brown Hotel. Also, the Muhammad Ali museum is dope.
ReplyDeleteheard. I’ve stayed at the brown hotel and our airbnb is in the highlands area, so don’t know if we’ll get down town. but i assume we’ll eek out some fun.
ReplyDeleteHaving trouble figuring out my rooting interest in the Series. Kind of just enjoying these two teams. Sounds lame. So what.
ReplyDeleteWell, that’s pretty exciting. News reports love to fixate on low viewership for lesser market series blah blah blah. This is fucking good.
ReplyDeleteRIP Richard Moll, aka Bill Shannon. Ohhh-kay, Bull.
ReplyDeleteMorning y’all! Rob, hope the trail kicks off well. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteThis wasn’t the Series I picked, but I’m rooting for Texas. And what a first game. I only watch playoff/series baseball, but this is fun!
My weekend includes taking my parents to my mom’s 65th HS reunion in VB - she was in the first class of Princess Anne High. It’s a bbq party from 1-5.
started the day at woodford reserve. very cool spot.
ReplyDeleteMorning Woodford!
ReplyDeleteFlorida-Georgia just an hour away. Pray for me.
ReplyDeleteTribe has to come back and squeak one out against Monmouth. This team is not who we thought they were a few months ago.
ReplyDeletetribe can deeefend, but seem incapable of offending. politest team in america.
ReplyDeleteGators attempted W&M offensive gadgetry of snapping thru QB's legs to running back on 4th down play. One of Georgia's nasty-fast defenders was in backfield in a blink and stuffed it.
ReplyDeleteRIP Matthew Perry, the Friend I most resembled. For a little while.
ReplyDeletethe driver for our bourbon tour party bus played hoops at louisville and for the nuggets. so we had that going for us. which was nice.
ReplyDeletejust did a tasting event where we made our own blended bourbon recipe and had it made onsite. so next time you’re at the house i’ll pour you some russell rare 23.
ReplyDeletedrinking pbr in a bar by myself. as god intended.
ReplyDeleteI saw The Head and the Heart again last night, this time a short walk from my house. They are truly top notch. So good.
ReplyDeletey’all have really been cranking out the content while i’ve been drinking bourbon.
ReplyDeleteSorry, buddy. I thought Marls was going to contribute, but he’s on the same GTB posting schedule as his colonoscopy.
ReplyDelete