Do Kawhi Leonard, Clippers have new window? Plus, TV networks want Charles Barkley

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I actually hope Zach has loved his break day whereas the Clippers ponder Kawhi Leonard’s complete minutes this season.

A Recent Begin

New enviornment, new chapter for Kawhi, Clippers?

The LA Clippers have typically been seen because the Los Angeles staff with a deeper roster, however that hasn’t led to an NBA championship. We all know that’s the one method the Clippers can actually seize and hold headlines for lengthy within the metropolis.

This Clippers staff will probably be completely different. It will likely be in its new enviornment, the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome. Paul George left for Philadelphia in free company. Russell Westbrook was traded to Utah and is now a Denver Nugget.

The Athletic’s Legislation Murray gave us an in depth breakdown of how the Clippers’ rotation may look this season. Coach Ty Lue has needed to be artistic with the rotation over time as a result of his stars have so routinely been out and in the lineup on account of accidents.

That’s one drawback Lue doesn’t wish to carry with the staff to the Intuit Dome. And the majority of that concern lies with Kawhi Leonard.

The scuttle across the NBA throughout Leonard’s free company in 2019 was whether or not he may very well be a participant who performs 60-plus video games each season. Leonard had simply received an NBA championship with Toronto, however there have been harm considerations.
Leonard, 33, has performed greater than 60 video games simply as soon as as a Clipper — final season, when he appeared in 68 contests earlier than a proper knee harm ended his playoff run after two video games. The 34.3 minutes Leonard averaged had been additionally his most with the Clippers.

With out a wholesome Leonard, Los Angeles basically has no likelihood at a championship. James Harden is 35, and anticipating him to hold a crew of non-stars to a title is unrealistic.

Ribbon lower @IntuitDome pic.twitter.com/uNLBVqMqpG

— Legislation Murray 💡 (@LawMurrayTheNU) August 16, 2024

Murray’s evaluation brings into query the depth of this season’s squad. Six rotation gamers will probably be again, however filling the outlet left by George is not going to be easy.

Derrick Jones Jr. is a pleasant pickup, however he’s not George. Even with Harden and Leonard’s ages being an element, it’s not as if the Clippers will fall into the lottery subsequent season, although. A Harden-Leonard duo coupled with Lue’s very good teaching ought to be sufficient to maintain the Clippers in competition for a top-six spot within the West.

In actuality, the Clippers could have loads of followers at video games within the new enviornment. Lakers followers will enterprise there out of curiosity if the ticket costs are proper. However with regards to relevance, the one issues that may matter in Los Angeles are rings — and never the Intuit Dome ones given to followers.

The window for the Clippers to enter a season as title favorites could be closed. If Leonard misses quite a lot of time, there’s no level in attempting to open it once more.

New Frontiers

Adam Silver talks potential enlargement

So, with the NBA’s media rights deal achieved, isn’t it time to maneuver on to enlargement?

Not so quick, says commissioner Adam Silver. Promoting fairness within the league may be “sophisticated,” he mentioned Tuesday on the NBA board of governors assembly. Right here’s extra on his rationalization:

“What meaning for the present tv relationships, and so forth. (may be sophisticated). What we’ve advised events is, ‘Thanks to your curiosity; we’ll be again to you.’”

Silver mentioned no committee had been fashioned to look at enlargement, however it will likely be addressed later within the season.

We hear you, Commish. However that doesn’t imply the enlargement chatter hasn’t been on the market.

Seattle has been ready for a staff because the Sonics had been moved to Oklahoma Metropolis in 2008 and repackaged because the Thunder. Town nearly had a deal to maneuver the Kings to the Pacific Northwest in 2013 earlier than late commissioner David Stern, then-Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and the group rallied to seek out possession (led by Vivek Ranadive) to maintain the staff in California.

The FIBA secretary common met with NBA’s Board of Governors this week as league continues to discover what it might do in Europe. One concept would come with a league with present European groups, and will embrace attainable funding from Gulf states. https://t.co/fGVJLRXGgq https://t.co/P1fap9sGiZ

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 11, 2024

It’s simply assumed Seattle will get a staff. It is smart. There can be group help, too. I keep in mind Sonics followers “scouting” the Kings in 2013 amid the relocation rumors as they prepped to see who they could be cheering for, again after I was a Kings beat author.

The NBA’s infatuation with Vegas is not any secret. Past summer time league, the In-Season Event ends there, too.

Gamers love town. Some NBA gamers already name Vegas house within the offseason. They could adore it extra if they’ll stay there exterior of the summer time months. The NFL, NHL and WNBA have already got a presence within the metropolis, too (similar to Seattle).

These are the 2 cities that take advantage of sense, however as soon as the method opens, who is aware of which cities will stand up for a bit of the league? Goes worldwide (once more) an actual chance?

I like Mexico and have lined an NBA recreation there. I’m unsure if a staff in Mexico can be a well-liked spot for gamers, however followers there have loved the NBA expertise. Possibly one other staff in Canada is smart? We’ll have to attend and see.

Networks Need Barkley

Will Chuck stick with TNT?

Tampering doesn’t apply to broadcasters.

ESPN and NBC executives have each mentioned they’d be eager about including Corridor of Fame participant and broadcaster Charles Barkley ought to he develop into accessible.

Barkley mentioned final month he’s not leaving Turner Sports activities. Relying on the result of litigation, this could be the final season Turner carries the NBA. That will mark the top of the iconic “Contained in the NBA,” for which Barkley is an Emmy Award winner as an analyst.

Having hung out with Barkley, I can guarantee you he’s at house and pleased with Turner. He doesn’t imagine ESPN or another community would enable him to be himself. Barkley pushes the envelope together with his honesty. Even in case you disagree with him, you’ll be able to’t say Barkley isn’t being real together with his opinions.

If Turner finally loses in courtroom and loses rights to broadcast the NBA, I’d watch Barkley do no matter Turner asks of him. Turner will nonetheless have MLB, NHL, March Insanity and AEW wrestling. I don’t wish to see a censored Barkley on one other community.