Good morning. We have that and more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.
Preview season is here! We dropped our 2017-18 NBA preview at SB Nation NBA on Thursday. Here are the highlights.
We have the brilliant Ezekiel Kweku — you might know him as @theshrillest — on how Oakland embraced the Warriors but the Warriors never really embraced Oakland.
We have your boy Paul Flannery on a Celtics team five years in the making.
Tim Cato went to Oklahoma City to learn about the culture that lets the Thunder thrive.
We have a video showing just how many big name players moved this summer.
Kristian Winfield wrote a 5-minute explainer to catch you up on all the bizarre, impactful stuff that happened this summer.
I gave you 25 reasons to watch the NBA even though the Warriors are totally going to repeat.
Plus we have team previews from all of your favorite SB Nation team bloggers, along with fan confidence maps and more.
Check it out!
The WNBA’s San Antonio Stars are moving to Las Vegas, per Swish Appeal. They’ve been the worst team in the league for three years running.
Do you want some wonderful, rude Draymond Green quotes back in your life? Here you go.
Kofie Yeboah is crazy for this one. He pitted the Warriors and Cavaliers against each other … in FIBA 18.
The Grizzlies will retire Tony Allen’s No. 9 jersey. I had been thinking Memphis should hang an oversized growl towel from the rafters to commemorate this era.
History indicates Kawhi Leonard will be the MVP.
Small ball was used much more during the 2017 playoffs than during the 2017 regular season.
Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson will lead the NBA’s referee program. She was a heckuva player in her day and recently led Air Force Academy during a tumultuous period.
Rodney McGruder is out 3-6 months for the Heat. He was an underrated part of their late-season magic.
NBA teams have largely stopped staying in Trump hotels on the road.