NEWSLETTER
Nobody:
David Blaine:
Well.. David Blaine strapped himself to some helium balloons and took flight a few minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/rcUad0FHE8
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 2, 2020
Peace out, 2020.
• Not even the GOAT can save you from crappy internet providers.
https://twitter.com/HEIRMJ/status/1301018856484483072?s=20
• Just kidding, I bet he could do something.
• The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has released his latest NBA Draft Big Board, and the top of the 2020 class has remained mostly the same. Vecenie puts LaMelo Ball as the best prospect in the draft, followed by Anthony Edwards and Obi Toppin, respectively. He continues to have point guard Tyrese Haliburton at No. 5, which is ahead of recent fan-favorite Killian Hayes.
My 2020 NBA Draft Big Board was updated today for the first time since the NCAA early entry deadline. The top-100 players for me in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Do think the early entry deadline took some depth from the class. But I like the 20-45 area still. https://t.co/ko8l2aYy3g pic.twitter.com/WmWUJYSDPS— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) September 2, 2020
• If draft boards don’t show you how heavily opinions can differ when it comes to the draft, I don’t know what will. Vecenie has Hayes as the No. 7, whereas someone like Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer puts Hayes at No. 1. The recent conversation – at least, as it pertains to guards – seems to be pitting Haliburton and Hayes against one another. Among Bulls fans, I’ve seen Hayes grab a bulk of the attention for his maturity and excellent pick-and-roll play. However, the more I look into things, the more I like Haliburton. The guy is arguably the smartest player in the draft, and he also might possess one of the best all-around skillsets. In college, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. He also shot an incredibly impressive 50.4 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from downtown. I’ve always worried about his awkward shooting form, but (up until this point) it’s proven to work just fine.
• If I’m the Bulls, though, I’d still consider grabbing Hayes or Haliburton at No. 4 a stretch. The safest bet is to roll with someone who drops out of the top 3 or (my favorite) Deni Avdija. But, if the Bulls trade down or find themselves in a position where a facilitating guard is the best move, I wouldn’t be super bummed to see them roll with Haliburton over Hayes. Sure, Hayes might be the more gifted passer, but Haliburton feels like the safer and more immediately polished choice. Of course, I say that knowing my opinion could change in literally 10 minutes.
• If interested, Sam Smith of Bulls.com talked a bit more about the point guard options in this draft.
Tyrese Haliburton?
LaMelo Ball?
Killian Hayes?@SamSmithHoops talks PG prospects in his mailbag, presented by @ATT.— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 2, 2020
• Michael Jordan joining DraftKings might be the least shocking development of 2020.
DraftKings shares surge 16% after Michael Jordan joins betting company as board advisor https://t.co/rTPVyae3mU
— CNBC (@CNBC) September 2, 2020
• Also, I now expect a new DraftKings commercial with Max Jordan ASAP.
Michael Jordan commercials don't come more bizarre than this… pic.twitter.com/Yf73MWTKM5
— Adam Howes (@Howsito) September 2, 2020
• Real quick, do any of you remember that commercial? I saw it for the first time this morning, and I have a lot of questions. (1) Why is it over 2 minutes long? (2) Why does that woman have way more lines than Jordan? (3) Is that woman the only person on earth who doesn’t recognize Michael Jordan? Like, dude, he’s just wearing a hat. (4) Is the battery industry really this cut-throat? (5) No, for real, who is that guy at the end? (6) Why? Just why?
• Please tell me you caught the end of the Jazz-Nuggets game last night?
https://twitter.com/TheAthleticNBA/status/1300992291117699074?s=20
• Everything about the end of that game was chaos. Not only does Mitchell lose the ball down two with 10 seconds to go, but the Nuggets decide to sprint for a layup when they could’ve run the clock out and forced a foul. Fortunately for them, that decision didn’t prove ridiculously stupid because Conley decided not to pass to a wide-open Mitchell and hike-up a wild 3-point attempt … ONE THAT WAS SOMEHOW *THIS* CLOSE TO GOING IN.
This is how close the Jazz were to winning Game 7. pic.twitter.com/q4FweJGJab
— Stephen Noh (@StephNoh) September 2, 2020
• That entire seven-game series was outstanding, and it made me realize even more how badly I want Mitchell in a Chicago Bulls uniform. On the verge of becoming a superstar in this league, the guy plays with so much heart. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Arturas Karnisovas will have a chance to lure him to Chicago any time soon, as Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes is reporting that he’s bound to sign a long-term extension with Utah.
Donovan Mitchell was initially hesitant to commit to the bubble because of his contract.
But Mitchell and the Jazz will finalize a max extension when free agency opens, sources told @ChrisBHaynes.
Inside Mitchell's emotional night ➡️ https://t.co/IgKEHuH682 pic.twitter.com/bbVzuAVkvW
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 2, 2020
• Every jersey looks better with a Jumpman.
#Cavs add the Jordan Jumpman logo in place of the Nike swoosh on their alternate black "statement" uniform. pic.twitter.com/4C80IxN3vP
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) September 2, 2020
