This season, the Golden State Warriors, after a brilliant start to the season, have ultimately returned to mediocrity. According to the NBA's latest published offensive and defensive efficiency over the past 10 games, their defense is average, but problems on the offensive end are exposed, dropping them unexpectedly to the third tier, where they can only find relevance among teams like the Wizards, Hornets, and Bulls that are tanking for the draft. The main reasons for this situation are threefold. Firstly, after the NBA mid-season tournament, more teams have studied the Warriors' tactics, especially the close guarding of backup shooter Buddy Hield, which has become even tighter. This substitute who was once considered on par with Klay Thompson has been exposed in recent games, averaging a dismal 20.7% three-point shooting percentage, which is almost unbearable to watch. Without a reliable shooter to provide consistent firepower, the Warriors are unable to tear apart the opponent's defensive formation or create more space, directly limiting the performance of Green, Wiggins, and Kuminga within the paint, and concentrating the team's offensive efforts on individual plays, such low-efficiency operations constrain the team's scoring. Secondly, head coach Steve Kerr does not have a set rotation. Although Tom Thibodeau has a poor reputation in the industry for often using an eight-man rotation, his professionalism lies in maintaining a stable number of players, with other role players simply filling in numbers to help the New York Knicks meet basic team requirements. However, the coaching philosophies of the two coaches differ, as Kerr is more willing to experiment, maintaining…

On January 11, 2025, Beijing time, the 22-win and 17-loss Magic hosted the 19-win and 16-loss Bucks. The Magic's top star, Paolo Banchero, returned from injury, while the Wagner brothers and Suggs continued to be absent. The Magic were playing back-to-back games, and except for Banchero, the other players were not physically fit enough. Could they compete against the Bucks, who have Giannis Antetokounmpo? The Bucks' starting lineup was Lillard + Jackson + Prince + Giannis Antetokounmpo + Brook Lopez, while the Magic's starting lineup was Anthony + Pope + Silva + Banchero + Bitadze. In the first quarter, Prince and Lopez hit three-pointers, giving the Bucks a 6-0 lead. However, Anthony, Bitadze, Silva, and Banchero scored 13 points in a row, allowing the Magic to take a 7-point lead. Lillard, Prince, and Giannis Antetokounmpo narrowed the gap to 1 point, but Pope, Silva, and Isaac extended it to 8 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Portis brought the Bucks within 1 point, and Blake and Banchero scored, while Middleton, Portis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo responded. The Bucks took a 1-point lead, but Isaac and Blake helped the Magic regain a 4-point advantage. Giannis Antetokounmpo dunked, and at the end of the first quarter, the Magic led 31-29. In the second quarter, Lillard made free throws, and Isaac and Blake responded, giving the Magic a 5-point lead. Middleton made a mid-range shot, and Banchero and Silva responded, increasing the lead to 7 points. Lillard scored 6 points in a row, and Silva and Anthony responded, keeping the lead at 5 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo…

Translation: "An MVP from the West and an Eastern 'laughingstock,' what sparks could these two ignite?" When the Nuggets signed Westbrook, almost everyone had doubts and questions. Some fans even jokingly questioned whether the Nuggets' management had a short-circuited brain, how could they think of pairing the "nearly scrapped" Westbrook with the already busy Jokic? But reality is often more exciting than fiction, and this seemingly mismatched pair used their chemistry and strength to lead the Nuggets to a triumphant march. From on-court statistics to off-court interviews, they not only silenced doubters but also became the biggest contributors to the Nuggets' strong record this season. The Nuggets' performance this season fully deserves the words "steady and solid." In the first 20 games of the season, they won 14 games, ranking fourth in the West. This achievement is not explosive, but considering that the team experienced an injury wave at the beginning of the season, with Murray and Gordon missing some games, it is quite surprising to achieve such a win rate. More importantly, the team's playing style and chemistry are becoming increasingly mature, especially when Westbrook and Jokic play together, the fluidity of the game is visibly apparent. In fact, saying that Westbrook joining the Nuggets was "highly controversial" is no exaggeration. At the beginning of the season, the outside world generally did not favor this move, after all, Westbrook's performance last season with the Lakers could be described as a "disaster." Whether it was on-court decision-making or public perception, Westbrook became the target of public opinion. Yet the Nuggets…

On January 11th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued. Let's take a look at the latest completed games and changes in the standings. The main information is as follows: The Thunder defeated the Knicks 126-101, the Warriors lost to the Pacers 96-108, the Pelicans beat the 76ers 123-115, the Bucks narrowly won against the Magic 109-106, and the Kings defeated the Celtics 114-97! The latest Western Conference standings: The first-place Thunder maintained their hot shooting on the road against the Knicks, scoring 70 points in the first half and quickly opening up a lead of more than 20 points. They held off the Knicks' counterattack in the third quarter and eventually defeated them easily with a score of 126-101, achieving a double-kill. With a record of 31 wins and 6 losses, they remain firmly atop the Western Conference, leading the second-place Rockets by 6 games. Alexander shot 21 for 15 and made all 8 free throws to easily score 39 points, while Joe shot 16 for 11, including 8 for 10 from three-point range, to score 31 points. The Knicks failed to challenge for the top two spots in the East and continue to rank third in the East with a record of 25 wins and 14 losses. Brunson scored 27 points and 5 assists on 15 shots, and Towns had 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Thunder maintain their lead in the West: The Knicks' loss meant that the second-place Celtics in the East were unable to extend their win difference. They also lost today, suffering a 97-114…

The game between the Lakers and the Rockets is truly a focal battle that should not be missed. The competition for ranking in the West is becoming increasingly fierce, and this game can be said to directly determine the fate of both teams in the coming weeks. The Lakers are now only two wins behind the Rockets, theoretically speaking, if they can defeat the Rockets in this game, they will not only be able to close the gap but also have the possibility to overtake and directly challenge the top two positions in the West. To be honest, the influence of this game is comparable to a final, determining the pattern of the strong teams in the West, it really is the epitome of a "positioning battle." Looking at the predictions from the outside world, especially the win rate given by ESPN, it's really confusing. They actually gave the Lakers a win rate of 29.2%, while the Rockets are seen as having a greater chance of winning, exceeding 70%. This view is really a bit unreasonable. Think about it, the Lakers have been in an unbeatable state recently, even when James and Davis were rested, they still managed to win consecutive victories against strong opponents like the Warriors, Kings, Trail Blazers, and Hawks. Furthermore, although they lost to the Cavaliers, they were not completely crushed, performing much stronger than predicted. The Lakers' recent performance has proven that they are fully capable of withstanding pressure and winning games when facing some strong opponents. Especially in back-to-back schedules, the Lakers were able…

In the NBA arena, Russell Westbrook has always been known for his powerful and dominant playing style. From his early days in the league, his lightning-fast breaks and passionate dunks were like surging tides, repeatedly attacking the opponent's defense and igniting the fans' enthusiasm. In those years, he often relied on his own strength to tear through the opponent's defense, single-handedly breaking into the paint, and scoring in the crowded restricted area, as if nothing could stop him. Westbrook is also the astonishing "triple-double machine," seemingly omnipresent on the court. He could compete for rebounds under the basket with the big men inside, and complete steals with lightning speed, initiate fast breaks, and then deliver precise assists to his teammates, helping them score easily. He defines the concept of an all-around player with his skills, repeatedly setting triple-double records and becoming a unique landscape in the league. However, this season, fans were surprised to find that this star, who has always had a tough and unique style, has quietly changed his approach! The once "ball-dominant" Westbrook now does more to set up his teammates on the court, willing to create opportunities for them, reducing his ball-handling solo play and increasing his off-ball movement and catch-and-shoot attempts. Such a significant change is like a cheetah suddenly retracting its claws and instead using its agility to cooperate with teammates in hunting, how can it not be surprising and curious? This change quickly sparked a wave of heated discussions among fans and the media, with everyone asking: What prompted Westbrook to make such…

Whenever the topic of the "greatest lineup in history" comes up, does the image of "Magic, God, Emperor, Buddha, Shark" come to mind? Although the NBA has never officially selected the greatest lineup in history, it is still a topic that is discussed with great enthusiasm by countless media and fans, and even many stars have personally expressed their opinions. Previously, Harden also shared his all-time NBA team during an interview. Let's take a look at who made his list. Firstly, at the point guard position, Harden's choice was somewhat unexpected. It was neither Magic Johnson nor Curry, but James was placed at the No. 1 spot. As the most versatile player in NBA history, James is known for his explosive physicality and top-notch basketball IQ, capable of playing any position on the court. Even as a point guard, James is more than capable, as evidenced by the Lakers' championship win in 2020 when he played as a point guard and won the assist title that season. At the shooting guard position, Harden chose his idol, Kobe. Peak Kobe is undoubtedly one of the best scorers in league history, having created a series of records such as 81 points in a single game, 62 points in three quarters, and four consecutive games with 50+, scoring for him was like taking something out of a bag. At the same time, Kobe was also an outstanding defensive guard, with 9 selections to the All-Defensive First Team being the best proof of his abilities. Next, Harden chose Jordan as the small forward for…

In Los Angeles, the Clippers' recent situation has been ever-changing. Despite suffering a crushing defeat in their last game against the Nuggets, they have not stopped seeking reinforcement. With the upcoming home game against the Hornets, the Clippers' management has clearly set its sights on potential trade targets. As the wildfires in the Los Angeles area affect the schedule, there is a risk of postponement for the Clippers' home games. In fact, the Lakers vs. Hornets game has already been postponed due to the wildfires, casting uncertainty over the prospects of seven out of the Clippers' next eight home games. However, despite the unfavorable external conditions, the Clippers are still striving to enhance their competitiveness. Currently, the Clippers have a deep lineup at the guard and forward positions, but the center position is stretched thin. Zubac is the team's starting center, but there are only two players on the bench, Bamba and Kajones, with the former being benched and the latter struggling to shoulder the responsibility. In this situation, the Clippers' management has set its sights on the Hornets' backup center Richards. Richards, the big man from Jamaica, stands at 213 cm tall and weighs 111 kg. With his outstanding physical talent and technical skills, he has become an ideal target for the Clippers. This season, he has contributed an average of 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game in 21.1 minutes of playing time, with a shooting percentage of 56.7%. Such performance makes him a valuable backup center, and more notably, his salary is only…

Why is the Golden State Warriors willing to part with a promising 20-year-old Jonathan Kuminga in exchange for Brandon Ingram? This 1-for-3 trade may seem like a win-win on the surface, but upon closer inspection, it reveals many unknown pitfalls and complex considerations for both teams.‌ As one of the New Orleans Pelicans' star players, the departure of Brandon Ingram is a significant event. It's hard to imagine an All-Star player and excellent isolation scorer being put on the trading block. After all, this 25-year-old forward averaged 24.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season, making him an integral part of the Pelicans' system.‌ However, a closer look at Ingram's situation might explain why the Pelicans are willing to let him go. Injury concerns have plagued Ingram, with low attendance rates and multiple injury risks hindering his performance. If he continues as a team cornerstone, there's uncertainty about whether he can carry the team during crucial moments if his "glass" attributes resurface.‌ Moreover, the Pelicans have clearly tied their future to Zion Williamson. Despite his own injury history, Zion's potential and talent remain the foundation on which the Pelicans are betting. With Zion in place, the Pelicans need young players and multiple draft picks to rebuild a lineup capable of long-term stability.‌ From the Pelicans' perspective, the significance of this trade is clear: they need to relieve salary pressure and prepare more thoroughly for the future. Kuminga fits the profile of the young talent the Pelicans desire, and two second-round draft picks are valuable assets for a team aiming…

Jordan and James, undoubtedly the two brightest superstars in NBA history. The former is known as the highest mountain, with 6 championships, 6 FMVPs, 5 MVPs, and 10 scoring titles, unparalleled in both honors and abilities. The latter is seen as the longest river, with a 22-year career that has amassed 40,000 points + 10,000 rebounds + 10,000 assists, 13 selections to the All-NBA First Team, and 20 All-Star appearances, making efficiency and longevity synonymous with James. At the same time, Jordan and James are among the few players who have been able to play until the age of 40. So, disregarding their peak periods, who performed better when they were 40 years old? Below, I will compare them through personal statistics, efficiency values, game influence, and other aspects to explore this question for you. First, let's look at Jordan. In the 2002-03 season, at the age of 40, Jordan played all 82 regular-season games, averaging 36.9 minutes per game, scoring 20 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 44.5%, three-point percentage of 29.1%, and free-throw percentage of 82.1%. Although Jordan had descended from his throne at this point and could no longer soar like he did in his youth, in terms of experience and skills, the 40-year-old Jordan had reached a master level, not inferior even to rising stars like Kobe and McGrady. That season, Jordan scored over 30 points in 15 games, over 40 points in 3 games, with a single-game high of 51 points. It can be seen that…