NBA power rankings: Darius Garland’s wonderful bounce-back year

We’re still so early in the season that traditional indicators of a team’s strengths and weaknesses aren’t particularly sturdy, so instead of talking a whole bunch about point differentials and whatnot, I thought it would be more interesting to zoom …

We’re still so early in the season that traditional indicators of a team’s strengths and weaknesses aren’t particularly sturdy, so instead of talking a whole bunch about point differentials and whatnot, I thought it would be more interesting to zoom in on a young player on each roster who has surprised, for good or for ill.

Just to establish an arbitrary cutoff, I’m defining “young” as age 25 or lower. (There is a surprising paucity of such players on several teams, as we’ll see below.) That allows for a good mix, from rookies to superstars.

Again, don’t worry too much about the placement of your favorite team; next time we’re here, we’ll be close to the quarter mark of the season, which allows us to really start taking stock of each team’s respective power level.

Shaq reportedly does not have a contract for Inside the NBA before its big ESPN syndication

Would this show even work without Shaq?

Now that we know Inside the NBA will air on ESPN, the good news is that the iconic TV program will continue beyond just this season.

There is still a lot we do not know, however, and that includes whether or not Shaquille O’Neal is part of the team. While there was some talk that Charles Barkley would retire from sports media at the end of the 2024-25 season, he has since change his mind and will return to Turner Sports.

Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith will also remain with the network and will continue the show during its migration to ESPN. But as for Shaq, his future is actually uncertain.

Here is more from Jimmy Traina (via Sports Illustrated):

“Sources say O’Neal’s contract with WBD expires on July 1, 2025.

O’Neal has a slightly different deal than his three castmates because they do other things for WBD, including the NCAA tournament. Shaq’s deal is strictly for the NBA and it’s up in about eight months.

While sources say Shaq wants to remain on the show, he’s frustrated that there has been congratulations and press releases hyping that Inside the NBA is remaining the same while he is currently not under contract to be with the company next season.”

The show would simply not be the same without Shaq, whose chemistry especially with Barkley is unparalleled.

Shaq still has plenty of time to strike a deal with either Warner Brothers Discovery, ESPN, Amazon, or NBC before next season begins.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1373 tag=757945]

Dalton Knecht scores career-high 27 points against New Orleans

Dalton Knecht scores career-high 27 points as Los Angeles defeats New Orleans.

Los Angeles (9-4) defeated New Orleans (4-10), 104-99, Saturday at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Former Tennessee basketball player Dalton Knecht made his third NBA start for the Lakers. He totaled a career-high 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 37 minutes against the Pelicans.

Knecht converted 10-of-17 field goal attempts, 5-of-10 3-point attempts and 2-of-2 free throw attempts.

He was selected in the first-round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17 overall) by Los Angeles.

Knecht was a transfer from Northern Colorado and played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under coach Rick Barnes. During his one season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.

Knecht was the 2024 SEC Player and SEC Newcomer of the Year. He was a consensus All-America standout and earned the Julius Erving Award.

Social media reacts to ‘Inside The NBA’ heading to ESPN, ABC next season: ‘They’ll cover the Finals, we are so back’

NBA fans got huge news on Saturday: The ‘Inside The NBA’ show will be back. Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal are heading to ESPN and ABC next season as part of an out-of-court settlement between Warner Brothers …

NBA fans got huge news on Saturday: The ‘Inside The NBA’ show will be back. Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal are heading to ESPN and ABC next season as part of an out-of-court settlement between Warner Brothers Discovery and the NBA.

Here’s how social media initially reacted:

Inside the NBA has been saved as Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney reportedly reach license deal

Rejoice! Inside the NBA isn’t going anywhere.

This story has been updated. 

After months of concern about the future of Inside the NBA, the beloved television program will reportedly live to see another day.

The Wall Street Journal‘s Joe Flint reported on Saturday night that Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney have reached an agreement to license the basketball show to Disney for broadcast on ESPN and ABC.

The show will start airing on both networks after the 2024-25 season concludes.

CNBC’s Alex Sherman confirmed the deal and said that the Inside the NBA talent will remain TNT Sports employees and can be used on future Warner Bros. Discovery sports programs. That means you’ll still see Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley for March Madness coverage, for example.

This is a huge decision for both media companies that should preserve Inside the NBA for years to come with a new home.

The move comes as Warner Bros. Discovery settled its breach of contract lawsuit with the NBA that Flint reports will keep the company in business with the league for the next decade.

“While Warner Bros. Discovery is losing rights to regular and postseason games for its TNT network after this season, the settlement will give it rights to a significant amount of NBA content domestically and abroad, the people said, and the league will avoid a continued legal battle in court,” Flint reported.

“Warner Bros. Discovery’s efforts to retain some NBA content even after losing its grip on a long-held rights package underscores how valuable live sporting events are and the lengths media companies will go to keep a piece of the action for their cable and streaming customers.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1373]

Dalton Knecht makes second start for Lakers

Former Vol Dalton Knecht scores 14 points in second NBA start.

Los Angeles (8-4) defeated San Antonio (6-7), 120-115, Friday in the second annual NBA Cup at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Former Tennessee basketball player Dalton Knecht made his second start for the Lakers. He totaled 14 points and three rebounds in 26 minutes against the Spurs.

Knecht converted 6-of-11 field goal attempts and 2-of-4 three-point attempts.

He was selected in the first-round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17 overall) by Los Angeles.

Knecht, a transfer from Northern Colorado, played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under coach Rick Barnes. During his one season at Tennessee, he averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.

Knecht was the 2024 SEC Player and SEC Newcomer of the Year. He was a consensus All-America standout and earned the Julius Erving Award.