We need to appreciate the rivalry between LeBron James and Kevin Durant while we still have it

Kevin Durant and LeBron James go at it for the first time in five years. Wow.

Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win’s basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Have feedback for the Layup Lines Crew? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey. Now, here’s Mike Sykes

We got to see Kevin Durant and LeBron James go head-to-head against one another in the preseason on Thursday.

That doesn’t sound special. After all, it was a game that doesn’t count. But, man, while watching those two line up against one another again, it hit me like a ton of bricks: We might not have many more of these matchups to look forward to.

Shoot. We haven’t gotten one in a while in the first place.

Thursday was the first time James and Durant played against one another in five years. The last time was on Christmas Day in 2018. Kevin Durant was still a Golden State Warrior. LeBron James hadn’t yet become teammates with Anthony Davis. The NBA looked completely different.

The two of them have missed matchups against each other over the years mostly because of injuries. Each time it’d be time to face off again in a potential game of consequence, one would miss the moment for one reason or another.

Each time it never felt like a big deal. We’ll see them go at it at some point down the road, right? After a while, though, it felt like the road kept getting further and further. Now, James is a 38-year-old cagy veteran in his 21st year. Durant is 35 in his 16th. Basketball is not the endgame for either of them — they both have business ventures that will eventually take over as their primary work. Time is running slim.

So yesterday’s game was just a preseason exhibition. It doesn’t count, sure. But it was so much more than that. We can’t say it doesn’t matter. It did. That was a moment. One that we can’t take for granted.

Those two recognize that. After the game, Durant put into words what it meant to play against James again.

“It’s an honor,” Durant told Duane Rankin of AZ Central. “I know we both getting up there. It might be towards the end of this little back and forth, but it’s always good to get some moments on the floor with him.”

If moments could speak, this dap and hug between these two icons would have a thousand words to say.

These two have lived so many different lives in the NBA. They’ve failed, sure. But they’ve succeeded a lot, too. They’ve become champions, leaders, friends, and so much more. We’ve watched them grow into the men they are today and many of us, including myself, have grown with them.

I’m so thankful we’ve had this time together. Hopefully, there’s still plenty more to come. I’ll be sure to cherish whatever we have left.

I’m only here so I don’t get fined

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Normally I’m not the type to make a big fuss after a few members of a team skip out on media obligations. Good journalists are still going to do their jobs.

But this New York Liberty thing felt…different. Several key members skipped out on media obligations after the loss to the Aces. Our Meghan Hall tackled it on Thursday when the league hit the team with a $25,000 fine.

“Losing sucks, but the New York Liberty have to be better.

After the Las Vegas Aces won another title, this time on New York’s home court, the air went out of the building. The Liberty lost at the highest possible levels — the WNBA Finals — and the last thing they likely wanted to do was answer questions about how and why they lost.

It’s painful. It’s ugly. Frankly, it’s gut-wrenching. But it’s the right thing to do. In victory or defeat, you must be accountable and responsible for the product you put on the court.“

This moment highlights the issues between the WNBA and the media that actually hold the league back. The Washington Post’s Candace Buckner covered that brilliantly in a column on Thursday.

The WNBA needs more coverage, yet media isn’t allowed in its locker rooms after games. The players need more spotlight, yet here you have some of the league’s biggest stars simply passing on standing in it.

The league has to do better. It’s players do, too. As my colleague wrote, it’s about accountability and responsibility for the product on the court. And it’s about growing the game.

I hope everyone takes that to heart moving forward.

Here’s the James Harden we’ve been waiting for

. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

I have no idea what James Harden’s PTO schedule looks like, but he hasn’t been to work in a week so I’m assuming it’s awesome.

This dude, man. Harden reportedly won’t play in the 76ers’ preseason finale game, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

He hasn’t practiced with the team in two days and has been seen out and about in Houston definitely not preparing to play regular-season basketball.

Look, man. We all knew what the vibe was. We’ve seen this from Harden before. He’s going to troll until he gets his trade. Even if he does play, he’s probably not going to try his best. It’s such a shame because he’s still a very, very good player.

Please, 76ers and Clippers. Get it together. Just make the deal. We’re begging.

Shootaround

—Bryan Kalbrosky has you covered with 5 players who improved their fantasy hoops stock this preseason.

— Prince Grimes listed the highest paid NBA players this season for all you salary gurus out there. You’re welcome.

— We’ve got power rankings, folks! The NBA season is almost here. The Nuggets are still on top, but it isn’t by much after the Bucks’ and Celtics’ offseasons.

— I, too, am about to place a bet on Jordan Poole winning the scoring title this season. What else do I have to look forward to, anyway?

That’s all, folks! Enjoy your weekend.