The hottest Basketball Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Sports Topics

NBA All Star Weekend Buzz and Flubs

House of Strauss • 41 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball NBA Sports Media
  1. The NBA All Star Game was heavily criticized and considered uncompetitive, with even the commissioner showing concern.
  2. There is speculation that NBA commissioner Adam Silver's recent focus on the product's quality is driven more by business interests than personal enthusiasm.
  3. The NBA is in a critical phase of securing its financial future, but the current players seem disinterested in putting on an engaging performance.

Bamboo Ceiling 2.0: James Wang and Asian representation in the NBA

The Pick and Roll • 19 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Representation Development Talent NBA
  1. James Wang's journey from Taiwan to Sydney to professional basketball showcases the importance of hard work and persistence in pursuing dreams.
  2. The lack of Asian representation in the NBA, especially Chinese players, highlights challenges related to developmental focus on size versus modern game dynamics.
  3. Reflecting on the need for developing holistic basketball skills, like read and react decision making, to enhance the diversity and competitiveness in the sport.

NBA Western Conference preview

Silver Bulletin • 60 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Basketball Analysis Preview Player evaluation Team performance
  1. Eleven Western Conference teams are aiming to contend, with high aspirations and superstar talent.
  2. Balancing high expectations and the reality of a 1230-game season in NBA projections can be challenging.
  3. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns face uncertainties with roster changes, aging stars, and fit issues.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The All-Star Game Isn't The NBA's Biggest Problem

Huddle Up • 31 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Viewership Business Players
  1. The NBA's All-Star Game had issues with lack of defense and high scoring, but this highlights broader problems like declining viewership and owners selling stakes.
  2. Adam Silver is a unique NBA commissioner loved by many for his approach balancing on-court and off-court business, though the league faces challenges on the court with lack of defense and player engagement.
  3. The NBA's decline in viewership, financial-savvy owners selling stakes, and upcoming retirements of key players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry pose challenges for the league's future success.

Caitlin Clark Is College Basketball's Biggest Star

Huddle Up • 31 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Athlete Women's Sports College Basketball
  1. Caitlin Clark is not only a star on the basketball court but also making a significant impact off the court by driving media rights deals higher and elevating women's sports.
  2. Caitlin Clark recently broke the NCAA women's all-time scoring record, showcasing her exceptional skills and dominance in the sport.
  3. Clark's performance and charisma have drawn large audiences to women's basketball, solidifying her position as the biggest superstar in college basketball.

Jett Howard and Taylor Hendricks: Surprise NBA Lottery Picks?

Chad Ford's NBA Big Board • 59 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Basketball Player evaluation NBA Draft
  1. College players Jett Howard and Taylor Hendricks are surprising NBA lottery picks after being ranked outside the top 50 in high school recruiting classes.
  2. Both players have decided to forgo their remaining college eligibility and enter the 2023 NBA Draft.
  3. Five NBA scouts provided evaluations on the unexpected rise of these two players this season.

The Clippers New $2 Billion Arena + The PGA-Saudi Meeting In The Bahamas, NFL Wants Private Equity, A Record-Breaking NWSL Sale, And More

Huddle Up • 10 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🎾 Sports Golf NFL Basketball Investment
  1. Scottie Scheffler won the Players Championship, earning $4.5 million for the win and setting records with his earnings in the PGA Tour.
  2. Members of the PGA Tour's policy board are meeting with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, potentially leading to Saudi investment in the PGA Tour's new enterprise.
  3. The NBA's Clippers have a new $2 billion arena, reflecting major investments in sports infrastructure.

The End of a Warriors Era

The New Internet by Jeff Morris Jr. • 3 HN points • 02 Jul 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Athletes Sports culture Team Dynamics
  1. The Warriors dynasty is officially over with Klay Thompson's trade, surprising many fans who imagined a different ending for this iconic team.
  2. Dynasties don't end in one moment; they fade over time due to injuries, changes, and struggles. It's a journey with both highs and lows.
  3. Celebrate your own achievements and good times, but also remember that all success, like dynasties, won't last forever.

Tales from the jar side: The Taylor Bowl, A couple of screen/podcasts, Gemini is partly here, UConn women's basketball, and the usual tweets and toots

Tales from the jar side • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Events Technology Podcasts Basketball Social media
  1. Taylor Swift made it to The Taylor Bowl in time for kickoff, causing a mix of excitement and annoyance among fans and spectators.
  2. Google released the Gemini Ultra version, but some users faced restrictions accessing it due to business account limitations and delays in new model integration.
  3. UConn women's basketball team had a victorious game against Seton Hall, highlighting the state's passion for the team despite recent challenges and changing game outcomes.

Checking in on the WNBL MVP race

The Pick and Roll • 0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Players
  1. The Suzy Batkovic Medal is a prestigious award in the WNBL, with many notable winners.
  2. Jordin Canada from Melbourne Boomers is a top contender for the WNBL MVP due to her impressive stats and impact on both ends of the court.
  3. The debate over the best player in Townsville Fire creates an interesting situation in the MVP race.

Three ideas for improving college basketball

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 12
🎾 Sports College sports Basketball Sports Management
  1. Make scholarships last four years, so schools feel the impact when players leave early. This could reduce the focus on one-and-done players and help teams build more continuity.
  2. Turn all stationary fouls in the final two minutes into automatic intentional fouls. This would discourage teams from foul play, making endings of games more exciting and fast-paced.
  3. Give conference champions a bye in the first round of the NCAA tournament. This would make the regular season more important and keep the excitement of conference tournaments alive.

Madness, ctd.

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Mar 11
🎾 Sports Basketball Tournaments Broadcasting Commentary Television
  1. The author is frustrated with the way sports broadcasts name locations during tournaments. It seems like the naming has become absurd and unnecessary.
  2. There is a prediction that the following year's tournament won't have the same confusing naming style.
  3. The tone suggests a lighthearted but critical view on how sports media can sometimes overcomplicate simple things.

Huck Farvard

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 09 Mar 11
🎾 Sports College sports Basketball Game analysis Fan culture
  1. The Ivy League basketball system is unique because only the regular-season champion goes to the NCAA tournament, making every game really important.
  2. Rivalries in the Ivy League may seem intense but often come off as more of a celebration rather than true competition between schools.
  3. Harvard basketball hasn't won an Ivy League title or been to the NCAA tournament in decades, so if they win this upcoming game, it could grab a lot of attention.

Posterior probabilities: A Bayesian update of the Miami Heat

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 10
🎾 Sports Analysis Teams Statistics Basketball
  1. The updated probability of the Miami Heat being a top team, after their first game loss, is still high at 76%.
  2. The terms 'juggernaut' and 'disappointment' need clearer definitions when analyzing the team's performance.
  3. Revising the probabilities based on better historical data showed that even with a lower win rate, the Miami Heat's potential can still be seen positively.

Getting your way: lessons from pick-up hoops dispute resolution

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jun 10
🎾 Sports Basketball Competition
  1. Being loud and confident when making a call helps you win disputes. When you clearly state your position with assurance, others are more likely to agree.
  2. Never show doubt in your argument. If you hint at compromise, you lose. You need to stand firm and not back down.
  3. Choosing which calls to dispute is important. If you argue too much, people will ignore you. Pick your battles wisely to maintain credibility.