The hottest Basketball Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Sports Topics

Unfamiliar Territory

Knicks Film School • 1190 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Knicks are now viewed as a strong contender in the NBA East.
  2. The team made strategic trades to strengthen their roster for potential success.
  3. Maintaining flexibility and having a clear plan have put the Knicks in a promising position for the future.

My latest from NBA Trade Season

Marc Stein • 1022 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Updates on more than half of the NBA's 30 teams are coming as the trade deadline approaches
  2. Expect the unexpected in the NBA trade season; surprises often happen last minute
  3. Past unexpected trades, like Irving and Durant's, hint that more surprises could be on the way

The NBA Needs Reforms, Not Gimmicks

House of Strauss • 30 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The league keeps rolling out gimmicks—like the Play-In, NBA Cup, and All-Star tweaks—instead of fixing underlying problems.
  2. The Play-In has diluted the prestige of the playoffs and hasn’t stopped tanking, because expanding the playoff field reduces incentives to avoid mediocrity.
  3. Meaningful fixes—shortening the season, equalizing lottery odds for non-playoff teams, scrapping the Play-In, and holding players accountable in All-Star selections—would take real sacrifice but would address root causes. The league prefers easy money and half-measures, which is why it keeps choosing gimmicks over hard reforms.

KD Burner Gate

House of Strauss • 31 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Leaked messages tied to a Kevin Durant burner account reportedly insulted teammates and other high-profile figures, sparking a public scandal.
  2. Durant seems to favor being candid and keeping only a slight buffer between his private thoughts and the public, rather than strict secrecy.
  3. Media and NBA insiders reacted strongly and assume there’s some truth to the leaks, which raises awkward questions about team chemistry and trust.
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Nirvana

Knicks Film School • 1091 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Knicks won their game against the Jazz with an impressive performance by their players.
  2. The Knicks extended their winning streak and moved to 3rd place in the East.
  3. The author expresses deep love and admiration for the Knicks team and their resilience and spirit.

Keep Houston weird

Silver Bulletin • 243 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Houston Rockets are playing an exciting, unconventional style of basketball, featuring a young team that is currently one of the best in the league. Their success is partly due to smart team-building and embracing unique strategies, like focusing on offensive rebounds.
  2. Players like Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson are showing impressive growth, helping the team perform well. Thompson's athleticism and ability to score create opportunities, while Şengün’s improved efficiency makes him a key player.
  3. Despite their strong start, there are questions about their long-term success, especially with injuries and how teams will adapt to their tactics. The Rockets' future looks bright, but they still need to figure out the best way to work together.

Mile High

Knicks Film School • 952 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Knicks made a strong statement with their victory over the Nuggets.
  2. The game showcased exceptional defense and efficient offense from the Knicks.
  3. The Knicks demonstrated exceptional performance in their overwhelming victory.

The latest from NBA Trade Season

Marc Stein • 766 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. More than a dozen NBA teams are featured in the latest trade notes compilation.
  2. The post was scheduled for 3 PM ET, exactly one week before the trade deadline.
  3. The content is available only for paid subscribers.

Shorthanded Success

Knicks Film School • 833 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Knicks won a game without key players like Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson.
  2. Third string players like Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims stepped up impressively.
  3. The team showed resilience and depth, providing reliable backups when needed.

The WNBA is totally annoying

Penelope Trunk's Substack • 379 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Professional women's basketball can benefit from new and younger talent
  2. Revamping the WNBA's image through updated clothing can attract more fans and elevate the sport
  3. Adjusting game rules like lowering the basket and adding a four-point line can make the WNBA more exciting and adaptable to change

Rolling

Knicks Film School • 912 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The new-look Knicks are performing exceptionally well recently, winning their last four games by a total of 96 points.
  2. The Knicks have shown significant improvement defensively, particularly in utilizing their size advantage effectively.
  3. OG Anunoby's trade has been a game-changer for the team, impacting various aspects of their performance positively.

Silver clouds over Memphis

Good Morning It's Basketball • 786 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Ja Morant is out for the season with a shoulder injury, affecting the Grizzlies and broader NBA.
  2. The Grizzlies will get a high draft pick due to their current situation.
  3. The Grizzlies won't make hasty win-now trades and can focus on long-term development.

A Familiar Script

Knicks Film School • 833 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Immanuel Quickley's talent as a point guard was not fully utilized by the Knicks.
  2. The Knicks prioritize size in their lineup, leading to trades that prioritize fit over talent.
  3. The trade strategy echoes a historical Knicks trade that led to greater success by prioritizing fit over talent.

Necessary Brilliance

Knicks Film School • 833 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The game between the Knicks and Wizards was closely contested and Jalen Brunson played a key role in securing the win.
  2. Jalen Brunson delivered an exceptional performance in the game, showcasing his value and determination as a player.
  3. Despite some issues in the team's roster, the Knicks were able to survive and win thanks to Jalen Brunson's contributions.

Walking Wounded

Knicks Film School • 734 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. New York Knicks faced a tough game against undermanned Grizzlies.
  2. Important player Jalen Brunson got injured during the close win.
  3. Team hopes for a quick recovery and desperately needs a break.

All Good Things...

Knicks Film School • 734 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Knicks faced a tough loss against the Lakers despite a strong effort from Jalen Brunson.
  2. Trade rumors are circulating as the trade deadline approaches.
  3. The Knicks have a positive record after 50 games, showing improvement over past seasons.

Escape from Brooklyn

Knicks Film School • 793 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Knicks won the game against the Nets with an enthusiastic crowd behind them.
  2. The Knicks traded for Anunoby, Achiuwa, and Flynn, leading to a significant improvement in their defense and overall performance.
  3. Hart made a crucial play during the game to help the Knicks secure a two-possession advantage.

The Cavaliers are a problem (and might have a problem)

Good Morning It's Basketball • 648 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been performing surprisingly well despite initial concerns about their roster and coaching.
  2. The team is successfully navigating the challenge of balancing the playing time and effectiveness of key players like Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
  3. There are key decisions ahead for the Cavaliers regarding player rotations and potential trades to solidify their playoff aspirations.

Philly Special

Knicks Film School • 872 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Knicks had a big win against the Sixers with great defense and key players stepping up.
  2. The Knicks defense has improved since the trade for OG Anunoby, making it difficult for opponents.
  3. Deuce McBride's defensive intensity has been a significant asset for the Knicks.

As the Dust Settles...

Knicks Film School • 694 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. New York Knicks faced challenges with missing players but still put up a good fight in the game against the Mavs.
  2. The game featured notable moments like a 3-point shootout between Luka Doncic and Josh Hart.
  3. Despite running out of gas towards the end, the Knicks showed great effort and resilience throughout the game.

Into the Unknown

Knicks Film School • 714 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Knicks faced a setback with Julius Randle's injury, leaving the team in uncertainty.
  2. Julius Randle's absence will be felt in terms of consistent production and impact on the team.
  3. The Knicks will need to adjust their lineup and collective play strategy to compensate for Randle's absence.

Homecoming

Knicks Film School • 734 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Family and emotions were at the forefront during the game, making it a memorable experience.
  2. The Knicks have been performing well post-trade, especially in terms of offensive and defensive ratings.
  3. Turnover issues plagued the Knicks throughout the game, showcasing a need for improvement in ball security.

HIM.

Knicks Film School • 912 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Jalen Brunson achieved a rare feat in NBA history with 50 points and nine 3-pointers in a game.
  2. His impressive performance led to a significant win over the Phoenix Suns.
  3. The focus wasn't just on the numbers, but the message conveyed by Brunson's performance.

Some historically bad basketball

Marc Stein • 668 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Several NBA teams are performing historically poorly this season, being outscored by at least 10 points per game.
  2. Ja Morant's season-ending injury adds to the struggles faced by the Memphis Grizzlies, impacting their performance in the league.
  3. The list of NBA teams with significant negative point differentials this season is unprecedented, with four teams facing double-digit losing margins.

Grimes on the Move?

Knicks Film School • 734 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Knicks may be looking to trade player Quentin Grimes for an upgrade
  2. Potential trade targets need to meet specific requirements like being able to create scoring opportunities and fit into the team's salary structure
  3. New York Knicks are aiming to keep future picks and swaps available for larger trades by using Grimes in a potential trade package

Numbers Game: The NBA Midpoint

Marc Stein • 589 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. There has been only one in-season coaching change in the NBA so far this season.
  2. Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers has been scoring impressively with 1,156 points in 32 games.
  3. The Boston Celtics were the first team to reach 30 wins this season.

Caitlin Clark’s Conundrum

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1636 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Caitlin Clark is a groundbreaking talent in women's basketball, making a big impact on the WNBA during her rookie year.
  2. The WNBA has struggled to gain the same attention and viewership as the NBA, but Clark's presence could change that.
  3. Having Clark featured on the cover of Time magazine highlights her talent and could help raise the profile of women's basketball.

What time is it? Players' only meeting time HOO

Good Morning It's Basketball • 963 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. The Bulls had a strong start to the season but need improvement in offensive rebounds and field goal percentage from key players.
  2. Kristaps Porzingis made a significant impact in his Celtics debut with 30 points, changing the team dynamics.
  3. The Chicago Bulls faced a rough start to the season, leading to a players' only meeting after a brutal home loss.