On the last day of 2024, Lakers reporter Anthony Irwin exposed a series of Lakers trade dynamics and behind-the-scenes secrets, further revealing the team's future strengthening direction. Although the Lakers have already introduced Finney-Smith and Shake Milton through a big trade, enhancing their perimeter firepower and defensive depth, the team has not stopped its strengthening pace. Currently, the Lakers are focusing on the interior, targeting multiple centers including Valanciunas, Kessler, Williams, Richards, and Sharp. However, the Lakers still face significant obstacles during the negotiation process. According to Anthony Irwin, the Lakers are still considered one of the leading contenders for Valanciunas. Valanciunas is a center with strong rebounding ability and low-post scoring threat, capable of effectively enhancing the Lakers' interior strength. However, the Wizards' asking price is far higher than what the Lakers are willing to pay. The Wizards not only hope to obtain more draft picks from the Lakers but also showed interest in Russell's expiring contract, which was already used up in the previous trade between the Lakers and the Nets. Currently, the Wizards are looking for better offers within the league, but Valanciunas' big contract (unprotected in the final year of the 2026-27 season) has made other teams somewhat reserved about trading for him. Whether the Lakers will continue to pursue Valanciunas remains to be seen based on the progress of the upcoming negotiations. In addition to Valanciunas, the Lakers are actively discussing other interior targets, including Robert Williams of the Trail Blazers, Nick Richards of the Hornets, Day'Ron Sharpe of the Nets, and Walker Kessler of…

On January 1st, Beijing time, the Clippers played against the Spurs away from home, and the game ended with the Clippers losing 88-122 to the Spurs. In this game, the Clippers were playing back-to-back, so they would have some physical problems. More importantly, none of the Clippers' players could match up against Wenyambo, so in the game, the Clippers could only watch as Wenyambo helped the Spurs take the lead. Moreover, Powell's offensive state was also very poor in the game, which made it even more difficult for the Clippers to catch up. Not to mention that the Clippers failed to control their own turnovers in this game, so when the Spurs scored from multiple points, the Clippers were also beaten down. This game had already lost suspense by the third quarter. In fact, it is not unacceptable for the Clippers to lose this game. After all, it should be understandable that the Clippers' offensive state is low in back-to-back games. Moreover, Powell has been playing quite well in recent games, so it should be understandable that Powell occasionally appears low in the game. After all, even Harden, who is as strong as him, has appeared low several times this season. Not to mention that this game is still back-to-back, and in this game, it is not only Powell who is low, but also Zubac and others who are also low in the game. Therefore, it is normal for Powell to appear low. Finally, in this game, Powell got 15 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists with 12 shots and…

According to comprehensive reports, the Kings may trade their starting point guard De'Aaron Fox, but they may need to wait a bit longer and send him away before the trading deadline this season. Now may not be the right time. Although the Rockets' management and coaching staff have not clearly stated that they want to go all out to pursue Fox, according to some reports, the Rockets are indeed interested in Fox. Moreover, NBA famous reporter Eric Pincus also said that the Rockets have the chips that the Kings want, and they will also be one of the most ideal destinations for Fox. In fact, it is also reported that the two newcomers of the Rockets, Whitmore and Reed Shepard, have been favored by the Kings. The Kings admire Shepard very much. Although Shepard did not have many opportunities in the Rockets this season, his playing time was relatively short, and he has often been benched recently, and his personal data is very ordinary, and he did not perform as a No. 3 pick. However, Shepard is only 20 years old, and he is also a shooter with great basketball talent and basketball IQ. This season, Shepard played 29 games for the Rockets, averaging 3.4 points, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 rebounds. His shooting percentages are not good, but in the end, it is still the Rockets who did not give Shepard the opportunity to swing freely. When the Rockets were tanking before, whether it was Jalen Green or Shen Jing, they had such unlimited firing rights, but now Whitmore and…

Recently, the Clippers' performance has been truly eye-catching, especially Powell, who has exploded almost instantly! Look at his current average stats, which are impressive - 28.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 steals, making him truly versatile! This is not an ordinary scorer; his performance can be said to have exceeded the expectations of most people, even Harden couldn't help but praise him. Think about it carefully, behind all this, Harden's spirit of sacrifice and leadership is really indispensable. Speaking of Harden, you might be puzzled: he is the backbone leading the team to victory, so how does Powell benefit so much? Well, let me tell you, Harden's role on the court is not just a scoring champion; his ability to attract defense has given Powell many opportunities. Under Harden's leadership, Powell's performance is truly impeccable. You see, Harden always manages to accurately attract defensive pressure during offense, providing open positions for other players, and Powell is precisely the player who can convert those opportunities into scores. Look, he not only scores himself but also drives the whole team. Although Harden can also score, he never cares about the number of shots he takes; instead, he is willing to make selfless sacrifices and adjust the team's offensive rhythm. And this is one of the reasons why Powell can repeatedly explode in games. For example, in the game against the Warriors, the cooperation between Harden and Powell was flawless - Powell not only scored 26 points but also helped the Clippers win the game. At this moment, Powell became a…

The Lakers recently brought in Finney-Smith and Milton, and today the new recruits were finally able to play, with promising results that will improve over time. However, their opponents were formidable, as the Cavaliers, ranked first in the league, were expected to win. Despite playing at home, the Lakers faced a fierce Cavaliers team, leaving LeBron James to acknowledge that time is fair to everyone. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 122-110 on the road, securing an eighth consecutive victory. There's not much to say about this game; the Cavaliers' number one ranking in the league is well-deserved, as they have earned it through their performance. Mitchell and Garland in the backcourt, Wade on the wing, and Mobley and Allen in the frontcourt. The bench also boasts strong players like Strus, Nene, and LeVert. The Cavaliers' rise and rebuilding path over the years has been nothing short of miraculous; any misstep could have led to disaster. But the key is that the Cavaliers made the right moves every step of the way. First, in the trade between the Rockets and the Nets for Harden, the Cavaliers used a first-round pick to intercept Allen, a valuable center, and then acquired LeVert. Following this, the Cavaliers began to tank, miraculously snatching Mobley from the Rockets. The Rockets' scouting department hoped to select Jalen Green with the second overall pick in 2021, while the data analysis department believed Mobley was the ideal choice, given the Rockets' tradition of building around a center. Ultimately, the Rockets' owner's son decided to take Green with the second…

The Warriors' defeat has left Coach Cole's face colder than the winter in the Bay Area. With a final score of 95:113, the Cavaliers emerged victorious while the Warriors set a disgraceful home court record - a 33% shooting percentage and a 24% three-point percentage, plunging them to new lows. Never before in the Cole era have the Warriors played with such dismal statistics at home. This once-dominant team now seems adrift, at the mercy of the tides. The Warriors' loss was not unexpected. Facing the league-leading Cavaliers, their performance was akin to a "disaster art exhibition." Curry shot 4 for 14 from the field, 3 for 11 from beyond the arc, scoring only 11 points. Such numbers are unacceptable for a two-time MVP. Green, on the other hand, had an "elite collapse," shooting 1 for 10 and scoring just 2 points. His performance raises doubts about whether this is still the passionate and defensive-minded Green we know. It seems as if the Warriors' key players have collectively fallen into a psychological rut, with their低迷的状态如影随形。 In contrast, the young Cavaliers team is full of vitality and resilience. Garland scored 25 points with 8 assists, Mitchell added 23 points, and Allen and Wade dominated the paint. The team's chemistry and execution are the keys to their success. Against the Warriors, they shot 46% from the field and 38% from three-point range. Most importantly, they did not falter in the clutch, demonstrating the demeanor of a strong team. The Warriors' problems extend beyond losing a single game; it appears that their entire…

On January 1st, Beijing time, in a game that has already ended, the Lakers lost to the Cavaliers at home with a score of 110-122. James welcomed his first game after turning 40 years old. Although his performance was not explosive, it was not disappointing either. He made 9 out of 17 shots, including 3 out of 6 three-pointers, scoring 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists, which is a moderate set of statistics. Of course, looking at it from another angle, it's quite remarkable that James can still score 20+4+7 after turning 40, because many NBA superstars didn't even play until they were 40, such as Kobe, Chamberlain, Bird, and Magic Johnson; and there are also some superstars whose first game after turning 40 was not as good as James'. Let's take a look at how some of the historical superstars performed in their first game after turning 40. Duncan: Due to his birthday, Duncan's first game after turning 40 was in the playoffs. On April 30, 2016, at the age of 40 years and 5 days, Duncan scored 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in his first game after turning 40, as the Spurs defeated the Thunder by 32 points. Jordan: Jordan's first game after turning 40 was on February 19, 2003. The Wizards lost to the Hornets, with Jordan making 8 out of 23 shots and 4 out of 6 free throws, scoring 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, which is not as good as James. However, in the second game after turning 40, Jordan…

The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 113-105 to achieve a 12-game winning streak, making this season an impressive one. Although the Thunder had the best record in the West last season, it was due to a late surge, and there were still many teams that could compete with them for first place. However, this year the Thunder has left their competitors far behind, with a five-game lead over the second-place Grizzlies. The Thunder's goal is no longer just to be the best in the West but to claim the top spot in the league. It must be said that Alexander is now the biggest favorite for this year's MVP. Despite Jokic still leading the race, there is a sense of fatigue among the public, who believe that Alexander is more deserving of the MVP than Jokic. Firstly, the Thunder's record completely outshines the Nuggets', and secondly, Alexander's recent performances have been incredible. This season, he averages 31.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block per game, with a shooting percentage of 53% and a three-point percentage of 35%. In December and on the first day of the new year, Alexander has scored over 40 points three times. These include 45 points against the Pacers, 41 points against the Wizards, and 40 points against the Timberwolves. Alexander's performance has also made the Clippers envious, as they regret their decision. After the game today, two Clippers reporters praised Alexander on social media, with journalist Tomer Azarly saying that with nearly half the season gone, Alexander is the most valuable player…

On January 1st, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continues, let's take a look at the performance of the Western Conference teams and the latest standings changes. The main information is as follows: Thunder 113-105 Timberwolves, Lakers 110-122 lost to Cavaliers, Clippers 86-122 suffered a crushing defeat to Spurs, Grizzlies 117-112 defeated Suns. The latest Western Conference standings The Thunder, the leaders of the Western Conference, have been winning continuously. At home against the Timberwolves, they were trailing 46-52 in the first half, but in the third quarter, they launched a super attack wave of 43-23 to overtake. In this quarter, Alexander made 7 out of 8 shots and scored 19 points alone. Eventually, the Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 113-105, securing their 12th consecutive victory and firmly occupying the top spot in the West, leading their opponents by at least 5 wins. Alexander played at an MVP level, making 15 out of 23 shots and scoring 40 points with 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Hatten had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Williams contributed 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Timberwolves are temporarily ranked 8th with a record of 17 wins and 15 losses, trailing the Lakers by one win and only leading the 9th-ranked Spurs by 0.5 wins. Edwards made 6 out of 12 shots for 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Reed scored 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Thunder's 12-game winning streak The Grizzlies, without key players like Morant and Aldama, narrowly defeated the Suns led by Durant and Booker with a…

On January 1, 2025, Beijing time, there were 6 NBA games today, involving the Lakers, Clippers, Suns, Thunder, Grizzlies, Spurs, and Timberwolves. After the games, changes occurred in the Western Conference standings. The Spurs hosted the Clippers at home. On paper, the Clippers had an advantage in terms of record, but they were playing back-to-back games and were not as physically fit as the Spurs. This was the second meeting between the two teams this season. In their first encounter, the Spurs, who once led by 26 points, were reversed by the Clippers. Today, they were eager to wash away this disgrace. After the game started, Wembanyama entered scoring mode, scoring 17 points in the first quarter, leading the Spurs to win the quarter by 14 points. In the second quarter, the Spurs expanded their lead, leading by 20 points at halftime. In the third quarter, the Spurs continued to widen the gap, leading by 28 points after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the main players of both sides did not play again, and the Spurs eventually won a big victory over the Clippers by 36 points. Wembanyama made 10 of 18 shots for 27 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, while Harden made 5 of 11 shots for 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. The Clippers have been outstanding in defense this season, and it is not easy to win big against them. Unexpectedly, the Spurs defeated the Clippers by 36 points today, creating a new record for the most points lost by the Clippers…