Latest news with #TimBontemps
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN puts OKC Thunder in all-in tier to have extended championship window
Now that the NBA is in vacation mode, the next couple of months are the perfect time to reflect on the offseason and see how teams stand out ahead of the 2025-26 season. After bringing home a championship in style with a dominant year, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the popular pick to repeat. One way ESPN has done that is by publishing its yearly all-in tiers. ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Kevin Pelton categorized all 30 NBA teams into eight different all-in tiers that define what a successful season would look like. From championship aspirations to player development. For the Thunder, they were put into the "all-in on an extended championship window" group. Other members were the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Orlando Magic. The Thunder are the only team in that group that has already won the Larry O'Brien trophy with their current core. "There's no precedent for winning a championship and having up to six extra first-round picks coming, not to mention swaps that could dramatically improve Thunder picks likely to fall late in the round," ESPN wrote. "Now that Oklahoma City has extended MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, plus All-Star Jalen Williams and cornerstone Chet Holmgren, the luxury tax will be a challenge. But the Thunder might be less all-in than any team trying to repeat in modern NBA history." That's a pretty fair assessment. The Thunder are best set up to contend in the short-term and long-term future. That's the luxury you're afforded when you become the second-youngest NBA champion in league history. With their star trio signed to new deals, expect OKC to be in this tier for the foreseeable future. New ESPN story: Not every NBA team will enter this season with a realistic expectation of winning an NBA title. But, for all 30 of them, they will begin the year all-in on a @kpelton and I broke down what being 'all-in' for each of them means.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What should the Nets focus on heading into the 2025-26 NBA season?
The Brooklyn Nets finished the 2024-25 NBA season with a 26-56 record, ultimately getting them the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to begin their latest rebuild. Brooklyn broke the league record by taking five players in the Draft and it seems that the foundation is being laid down. Pundits believe that the Nets should remain focused on the rebuild. ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Kevin Pelton put together a list of which each team in the NBA should be "all-in" on ahead of the 2025-26 season and the Nets were put into the "draft positioning" category. Brooklyn isn't the only team in the tier as they share the category with the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards as all of the teams are understandably focused on the future. "These were four of the NBA's bottom six teams in the standings last season, and they have the four lowest over/under totals for the 2025-26 season at ESPN BET," the ESPN duo wrote when describing why each team was in the category. "Still, all of these teams are probably at least a season away from competing for a playoff spot, and they'd love to add another top pick first." As this relates to the Nets, this statement rings true in the sense that Brooklyn does not yet have a player on the roster that is currently considered to be an All-Star at some point in their career. The Nets will enter the 2025-26 season as one of the youngest teams in the league due to the amount of youth on the roster, but the hope is that guard Egor Demin, who was taken eighth overall by Brooklyn, can realize his potential sooner rather than later. As of this writing, BetMGM gives the Nets an over/under of 20.5 wins over the course of the 2025-26 regular season, meaning that the Las Vegas betting market could be expecting another tough season for Brooklyn. With the 2026 NBA Draft expected to boast premium talent such as AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, the Nets could be best served to keep the future in the forefront of their mind. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: What should the Nets focus on heading into the 2025-26 NBA season?
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What should the Nets focus on heading into the 2025-26 NBA season?
The Brooklyn Nets finished the 2024-25 NBA season with a 26-56 record, ultimately getting them the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to begin their latest rebuild. Brooklyn broke the league record by taking five players in the Draft and it seems that the foundation is being laid down. Pundits believe that the Nets should remain focused on the rebuild. ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Kevin Pelton put together a list of which each team in the NBA should be "all-in" on ahead of the 2025-26 season and the Nets were put into the "draft positioning" category. Brooklyn isn't the only team in the tier as they share the category with the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards as all of the teams are understandably focused on the future. "These were four of the NBA's bottom six teams in the standings last season, and they have the four lowest over/under totals for the 2025-26 season at ESPN BET," the ESPN duo wrote when describing why each team was in the category. "Still, all of these teams are probably at least a season away from competing for a playoff spot, and they'd love to add another top pick first." As this relates to the Nets, this statement rings true in the sense that Brooklyn does not yet have a player on the roster that is currently considered to be an All-Star at some point in their career. The Nets will enter the 2025-26 season as one of the youngest teams in the league due to the amount of youth on the roster, but the hope is that guard Egor Demin, who was taken eighth overall by Brooklyn, can realize his potential sooner rather than later. As of this writing, BetMGM gives the Nets an over/under of 20.5 wins over the course of the 2025-26 regular season, meaning that the Las Vegas betting market could be expecting another tough season for Brooklyn. With the 2026 NBA Draft expected to boast premium talent such as AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, the Nets could be best served to keep the future in the forefront of their mind.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Joel Embiid drops bombshell on Philadelphia 76ers leak after dreadful 2–11 season start
Joel Embiid drops bombshell on Philadelphia 76ers leak after dreadful 2–11 season start A quiet moment behind closed doors has now returned to headlines. Months ago, the Philadelphia 76ers held a private meeting. But the next day, details were leaked. Now, Joel Embiid has spoken up. He didn't say who leaked it but gave a strong hint. His words have left fans wondering if trust inside the team can still be fixed. Closed-door meeting in November turns controversial as details leak the next morning involving key team members In November 2023, the Philadelphia 76ers were struggling. The team had lost 11 of their first 13 games. On November 17, they held a private meeting in Philadelphia. Coaches, players, and team staff were all there. The meeting was meant to help; they wanted to fix problems and talk openly. But something went wrong and on November 18, the very next day, details from that meeting were leaked. ESPN shared parts of the conversation. The story showed what players had said behind closed doors. It was clear someone inside the room had spoken to the media. This caused tension and now the locker room was no longer a safe space. Fans on social media asked the same thing: Who leaked the story? But no one gave a name. Joel Embiid breaks silence hinting at the leaker and shares how it affected team trust On July 16, Joel Embiid was asked about it when he was in Las Vegas, training with Team USA. He spoke to Tim Bontemps from ESPN. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Embiid said, 'I know who leaked it... But I'm not going to — the past is the past.' He also said, 'It's hard being around people that do those sorts of stuff.' He didn't name the person. But his words made it seem like the person could still be around. The comment has now started new talks online and within NBA circles. This comes just before the 2025–26 NBA season. So far, the team has made no moves connected to the leak. Also Read: LeBron James' former teammate reveals hardest part of playing with NBA megastar The Philadelphia 76ers have faced problems like this before. But fans now wonder if the locker room can ever fully trust each other again. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blazers rookie Yang Hansen has seized first moments 'under the lights'
The Portland Trail Blazers shocked the NBA when they chose 7-foot-2 Chinese center Yang Hansen with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. But so far, so good. It might very well work out just fine. Advertisement "In his first moments under the lights, his skill level impressed rival coaches and executives, particularly with his passing," ESPN's Tim Bontemps writes. "He's going to be a project, but it didn't take long to see why Portland was interested in him." The big fella has been magical in moments of Summer League on offense, delivering backdoor dimes and also showing he can throw it down at the rim. MORE: LeBron James wants to play basketball with Michael Jordan He's also quickly become a favorite of the media covering the Blazers, showing off a sense of humor and a presence about him that feels like a veteran who knows just the right thing to say. Advertisement Bontemps goes on to write that it's not yet clear how Hansen will co-exist with Donovan Clingan, the incumbent young center in Portland. But if the rookie keeps playing like this, it'll be a good problem to have for the Trail Blazers. MORE NBA NEWS:
