On January 18th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continues to progress. As the schedule deepens, the rankings on the Eastern and Western Conference standings have gradually stabilized, and the playoff situation is basically clear. However, compared to the Cavaliers and Thunder leading the entire league, teams like the Celtics, Knicks, Grizzlies, and Rockets following closely behind, the 76ers, who spent a whopping $700 million last offseason to create a luxurious trio of superstars, not only failed to perform at the level expected of a championship contender this season, but instead fell to the bottom of the league at the start of the season, currently ranking fifth from the bottom in the East and failing to even make it into the play-in tournament. In fact, as a frequent participant in the Eastern Conference playoffs over the past few years, the 76ers' level is far from what it is now, especially after absorbing the top-level 3D George, who excels in both offense and defense, during the offseason, along with tough players like Oubre, the 76ers' paper strength is enough to compete with the Celtics. However, no one could have anticipated that after signing a max contract with the 76ers during the offseason, George and Embiid began to stagger their appearances, starting from the preseason, they began to take turns nursing injuries, playing intermittently without regard for the team, and even Embiid was once forced to withdraw from the selection for this season's regular-season awards due to attendance issues. However, Embiid himself doesn't seem to care about this. He even openly stated…

The NBA season is already halfway through, and recently ESPN journalists have commented on the most impressive players in the first half of the season, listing eight players. Most of them are young people under 30 years old. Harden is the only player over 30 among them; he is currently 35 years old and tops the league, with no veteran able to match his influence in the first half of the season. The other seven are Towns, CC Cunningham, Wembanyama, Daniels, Ball, the Nets' Johnson, and the Clippers' Powell. Powell also shines brightly in Harden's system. Because Harden can attract defensive resources to swarm around Powell, Powell has played the most efficient and outstanding game of his career this season. According to statistics, when Harden is unable to play, Powell's data and shooting percentage experience a cliff-like decline. Many people say that Harden is not the core of the Clippers because of his low shooting percentage and the fact that Powell and Zubac have thick legs, but the fact is that Harden is the leader. When ESPN praised Harden as the most impressive player in the first half of the season, renowned journalist Tim Bontemps also evaluated him. Bontemps believes that Harden's performance in the first half of this year is the reason why the Clippers can rank fifth in the West. Bontemps also compares Philadelphia and the Clippers. George, who earns 50millionayear,lefttheClippers,whileHardenrenewedhiscontractfor50 million a year, left the Clippers, while Harden renewed his contract for 50millionayear,lefttheClippers,whileHardenrenewedhiscontractfor70 million over two years. However, the results of the two teams are different; Philadelphia's…

On January 19th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw the Warriors defeat the Wizards at home, sending them to a ninth consecutive loss. However, the Warriors suffered two key injuries during the game, with Draymond Green leaving after only three minutes due to injury and Stephen Curry's right ankle being stepped on by Poole, causing him to painfully exit the game early. The Warriors managed to overturn the game against the Wizards at home, with Wiggins scoring 31 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, providing 4 assists, blocking 2 shots, and stealing 1 ball, leading the team to victory in an impressive performance; however, their win was overshadowed by a series of injuries. In the first quarter, Draymond Green suddenly left the court due to tension in his left calf and had to withdraw from the game after just three minutes upon his return. In the crucial moments of the fourth quarter, Curry blocked Poole on defense but was then stepped on by Poole as he fell, causing Curry to roll in pain and limp off the court, ultimately leaving the game early. After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr stated that Curry claimed his ankle sprain was not serious, and Green will undergo an MRI tomorrow. Both players have now been placed on the daily observation list. Curry commented on his ankle injury, saying, "I feel good, see you next Tuesday." Currently, the Warriors are plagued with injuries, with Kuminga recovering from an injury, Green returning only to play for three minutes before getting injured again, potentially missing some…

This season, the Phoenix Suns have been in a state of turmoil. Due to unsatisfactory team performance, the Suns are attempting trades from various angles. On one hand, they hope to get rid of Beal's super contract; on the other hand, they also plan to trade away center Nurkic. However, for the Suns, trading Beal is quite challenging due to the massive amount of his contract and his trade veto power, making it not an easy task to complete the trade. Compared to the past, the Suns' urgent need for a center has reached an unprecedented level. Since Nurkic was benched, the Suns' frontline has become increasingly weak. Plumlee's subpar performance this season has left the Suns' interior virtually non-existent in many games. Taking the recent loss to the Hawks as an example, young Hawks center Okongwu scored 22 points and 21 rebounds, highlighting the Suns' poor frontline performance. On January 16th, Beijing time, the Suns successfully completed a highly anticipated trade. According to Shams, sources revealed that the Hornets sent Richards and a second-round pick to the Suns, in exchange for Okeke and three second-round picks from the Suns. The sources also pointed out that the Suns provided their own 2031 second-round pick, plus two second-round picks from the Nuggets in 2026 and 2031, in return for a 2025 second-round pick. Richards, standing at 2.13 meters tall and weighing 111 kilograms, plays as a center for the team. This season, he played 21 games for the Hornets, averaging 20.9 minutes per game, scoring 8.9 points, grabbing 7.5 rebounds, assisting…

Today's NBA games were numerous, and the performances of many star players were commendable, including Booker, Durant, Trae Young, Poole, Mitchell, Jalen Green, Wiggins, and others, all of whom had impressive stats. However, if we were to select today's best player, there would be no suspense. Let's take a look at the specifics together! Mitchell's Form Returns In recent games, Mitchell has been in poor form, but he showed significant improvement today against the Timberwolves. In the first quarter, he made 3 of 6 shots, including 1 of 3 from three-point range and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line, scoring 10 points with 4 rebounds and 1 assist. In the second quarter, he scored another 12 points, making 8 of 14 shots in the first half, 3 of 7 from three-point range, and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line, totaling 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. In the second half, Mitchell's scoring decreased, but his teammates stepped up, and they extended the lead in the third quarter. In the final moments of the fourth quarter, when the Timberwolves launched a comeback, Mitchell came through with crucial 7 points to secure the victory. In this game, he played for 33 minutes and 30 seconds, shooting 12 of 27, including 4 of 15 from three-point range and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line, finishing with 36 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal, with a +10 plus-minus rating. Booker Scores 23 Points in the First Half The Suns narrowly defeated the Pistons on the road, with Booker…

On January 19th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued, with the Rockets visiting the Trail Blazers. The Rockets quickly entered the game, but were followed by a series of points from the Blazers, leading to a seesaw battle between the two teams. The score remained close until the second half when the Rockets launched a 15-0 offensive to widen the gap, which the Blazers were unable to respond to. Ultimately, the Rockets defeated the Blazers 125-103. In the first quarter, the Rockets took the initiative as visitors, with Shen Jing and Brooks scoring consecutively to achieve a perfect start of 10-2. Kamara made a layup, Brooks completed a 2+1, and Henderson responded with a three-pointer. The two teams then engaged in a seesaw battle, with the Rockets maintaining some initiative. Kamara scored consecutive dunks, Murray hit a three-pointer, tying the score at 19. Green broke through for a basket to stop the bleeding, Murray also broke through for a basket, followed by two free throws, and Green finally hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the first quarter with the Rockets leading 25-23. In the second quarter, the Rockets started by scoring consecutively to regain the lead, but their offense stalled shortly after. The Blazers capitalized on this, with Simmons hitting two consecutive three-pointers and Sharp completing a 2+1, resulting in an 11-0 run to overtake the score. Green stopped the bleeding with a jump shot, Whitmore dunked, and the Rockets successfully regained their form. The two teams were once again locked in a seesaw battle, with Ethan making two…

The data generated by rebuilding teams can be misleading, and many NBA executives are not easily fooled. Initially, the Houston Rockets wanted to exchange Christian Wood for two first-round draft picks, but no team was willing to pay that price. In the end, the Rockets had to accept the Mavericks' offer, receiving a late first-round pick and several expired contracts of little value. Now, the Nets have allowed Cameron Johnson to put up impressive numbers and are looking to sell him at a good price. Forbes NBA reporter Evan Sidery revealed that the Nets are not in a hurry to trade Cameron Johnson, as they believe there will be teams willing to offer two first-round picks. New York media reported that if they could obtain a first-round pick plus a promising rookie, the Nets would consider trading away Cameron Johnson. Cameron Johnson is averaging 19.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3 assists per game this season, shooting 49.9% from the field and making an average of 3.2 three-pointers per game with a 42.8% three-point shooting percentage. The Houston Rockets need excellent shooters, and Johnson is considered their trade target. On the other hand, Shepard's performance in the G League, scoring 49 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in a single game, has caught the attention of the Nets. The Nets and Rockets have a good relationship, having made multiple trades in the past. However, the Nets' attempt to make a 1-for-3 trade was rejected by the Rockets. NBA journalist Brett Siegel disclosed that the Nets hoped to acquire Shepard,…

Houston Rockets have shown impressive offensive and defensive capabilities this season, securing the second-best record in the Western Conference. Their rebounding statistics and defensive efficiency rank among the top in the league. Coach Udoka emphasizes that strong defense is crucial for increased playing time, a principle that has helped develop the team's young talent. Despite their defensive prowess, the Rockets are perceived as lacking in offensive power, particularly in clutch situations, which some believe hampers their championship potential. The scoring issues for the Rockets are being addressed by their star player, Jalen Green. Drafted with high expectations due to his exceptional talent, Green's NBA journey has been marked by ups and downs, leading to criticism about his consistency. However, his recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, earning him recognition as a potential superstar. According to ESPN's data experts, Green has averaged 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over the last seven games, with shooting percentages of 53.5%, 50.0% from three-point range, and 94.1% from the free-throw line. He is the only player in the league to average 30 points with such high efficiency in all three categories. His scoring has been consistent, with at least 25 points per game since the start of 2025, and his mid-to-long-range shooting accuracy has significantly improved. In key matchups against strong opponents like the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets, Green has delivered outstanding performances, scoring 42 and 34 points respectively. His ability to outperform opposing stars like Ja Morant has been particularly noteworthy. Even in a game against the Lakers, he…

The NBA regular season continued on January 18th, Beijing time. In the completed games, Davis was absent, and facing the Nets who lost to the Clippers by 59 points in the previous game, the Lakers held on for a long time. The two sides fought until the last moment to decide the outcome. Russell missed a three-pointer to kill, and the Lakers narrowly escaped with a score of 102-101. Reeves scored a career-high 38 points, but in the final moments, Reeves was too self-righteous, missing four consecutive shots. Fortunately, Russell also missed, otherwise this game would have been both Reeves' success and failure! The Grizzlies and Spurs met for the second time in three days, with Morant absent. However, the Spurs suffered another defeat, losing 112-140 to the Grizzlies. Wen Ban亚马 sent a total of 14 blocks in two games, but struggled offensively, shooting 5 of 19 in one game and 8 of 19 in the other, totaling only 32 points! In addition, Alexander missed his first game of the season, with Holmgren and Hartenstein injured. The Thunder once completed an upset after trailing by 20 points, but unfortunately, Dinwiddie hit a key three-pointer in the final moments, and the Mavericks defeated the Thunder 106-98. Jokic returned, and Butler's suspension ended, but the Heat were no match for the Nuggets, losing 113-133 to the Nuggets for their third consecutive loss. Jokic clocked out after three quarters, scoring a triple-double with 24+12+10, while Butler had 18 points. The Pelicans easily defeated the Jazz 136-123, with Zion scoring 24 points, 14 rebounds,…

LeBron James, a legendary figure in the NBA, has confidently declared himself the greatest player in basketball history on numerous public occasions. In an in-depth interview, James elaborated on why he dares to claim the title of NBA's GOAT with such confidence. He pointed out that his career spans multiple eras of basketball, from the twilight of the Lakers dynasty to the iron-blooded reign of the Spurs, and now the glory of the Warriors. Not only has he witnessed the rise and fall of these dynasties, but he has also played a key role in them. He proudly mentioned that he not only defeated the powerful Spurs dynasty and the Warriors dynasty but also successfully brought the championship trophy into his possession, which undoubtedly serves as the best proof of his basketball career. James particularly highlighted the 2016 NBA Finals, one of the most glorious moments of his career. Facing a desperate situation at 1:3, he led the Cavaliers to an astonishing comeback, winning three consecutive games and ultimately capturing the championship trophy. He questioned whether anyone else in the long history of the NBA could achieve such a feat. Even basketball god Michael Jordan or Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had never accomplished something like this. Therefore, James firmly believes that he is the greatest star, a view that he holds steadfastly. Moreover, James emphasized his versatility on the court. He proudly stated that he can perform perfectly from position 1 to position 5, making him one of the greatest players in basketball history. Since 2010, James' career has reached…