The burning NBA questions at the All-Star break and into offseason
NY Post
With the NBA at its break, The Post’s hoops writers examine the key questions from the first half and forecast the rest of the season (and offseason). Here’s a look:
Stefan Bondy: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder. There’s a strong argument for Nikola Jokic, who is carrying a worse team on his back while averaging a triple-double. But SGA leads the league in scoring with outrageous efficiency, missed just one game and is the best player on the best team.
Brian Lewis: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokic is a close second, but the rise of SGA is complete, and he’s carrying West-leading OKC with him.
Mike Vaccaro: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s a testament to how great SGA has been that he is the only reason Jokic won’t cruise to another MVP.
Bondy: The Lakers. Hate to be Captain Obvious, but adding Luka Doncic makes a difference. Also watch out for a post-break surge from the Timberwolves and Suns.
Lewis: The Celtics. Boston trails Cleveland by 5 ½ games in the East but has the third-softest remaining schedule and is primed for a run.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Frankie Montas’ triceps soreness following his first bullpen session last week has turned into a rotation vacancy for the Mets to begin the season.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Juan Soto’s one-season stop with the Yankees may have served as the perfect primer for the All-Star outfielder as he begins the first of potentially 15 spring trainings with the Mets.
Former Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito went on a tweet spree Sunday after former Miami teammate Jonathan Martin, whom he was accused of bullying in a scandal that led to Incognito being suspended by the NFL, told ESPN that he never felt bullied.
I am trying to envision Adam Silver’s reaction — just a few hours before he called “the state of the game excellent” — to hearing that Draymond Green, a high-profile employee and active NBA participant, labeled his league “very boring.”
The allegations against Justin Tucker keep growing.
BOSTON — The 4 Nations Face-Off is giving the NHL its moment.
TAMPA — This will begin with your recency bias alert. Because, yes, I do not watch much hockey, and yet I could not take my eyes off the USA-Canada game Saturday night.
Draymond Green did not hold back when giving his view of the NBA All-Star Game’s new format.
Dion Jordan’s NFL career didn’t go quite as planned.
TAMPA — Devin Williams is used to it by now.
SAN FRANCISCO — Jalen Brunson isn’t ruling out a return to the 3-point competition after losing in his second try.
Giants — and NFL — history nearly looked very different.
MONTREAL — Canadian coach Jon Cooper put it better than anyone.