It took only six games into the Cavaliers’ first season without LeBron James for ownership to wipe their hands of the coach who co-piloted Cleveland to its last three NBA Finals berths. Following an 0-6 start to the 2018-19 season, head coach Ty Lue has been fired. The Cavs also fired Cavs assistant Damon Jones, a LeBron confidant, and promoted Larry Drew to interim head coach.

Spend an afternoon combing through pre-draft scouting reports of Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Luka Doncic, and you’ll notice a common theme.

ESPN’s Mike Schmitz — the gold standard of draft analysts — wrote that Doncic “lacks explosiveness for a guard or wing” and “isn’t the most functional athlete.” Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo noted that Doncic’s “athletic ability has come into question.” NBADraft.net said Doncic “can be considered a marginally average athlete by NBA standards” and suggests “his first step is slow even for European standards.”

In a league where 3 and D reign, it’s poetic that the countercultural Spurs have scraped by without either early on.

Their first five games have been characterized by jarring defensive struggles and an eschewing of the three ball, as they cope with the void left behind from trading away Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, saying goodbye to Kyle Anderson in free agency and losing Dejounte Murray to injury. Gregg Popovich’s group is adjusting by slowing contests down to a slog and pummeling opponents with 15-footers, modern basketball’s version of the nun-chuck. The Spurs remain last in defensive efficiency while leading the NBA in shot attempts per game from both the 8-16 feet range and 16-24 feet range.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton was fined $15,000 on Wednesday for publicly criticizing the officiating following Monday's 143-142 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Walton, clearly frustrated with the Lakers' 0-3 start, opened his postgame news conference by saying several missed calls on LeBron James and his teammates were "not right."

Luke Walton said Lonzo Ball can be a “game-changer” for the Lakers when he’s aggressive, and LeBron James liked what he saw from the sophomore guard against the Nuggets.

When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick in 2017, they probably were thinking about his incredible floor vision, the shooting skill he demonstrated at UCLA and the defensive advantages his long arms would give him at the point guard position.

Our Bryan Fonseca asked some of the Nets about whether or not Caris LeVert’s level of production can be maintained throughout the 2018-19 season. Of course, 65% from the field probably can’t be, but is he destined for stardom?

LeBron James could have stayed above criticism. Instead, he joined the Lakers, where there’s added pressure, but also the chance of added glory.

After the Lakers’ overtime loss to the Spurs dropped them to 0-3 on Monday, LeBron James continued to preach patience.

The early returns are in, and we now have a winner from the summer blockbuster trade between San Antonio and Toronto.

Both sides look victorious.

Sometimes, trades really can benefit all parties involved — and this already looks to be one of those. Kawhi Leonard looks healthy again and has been fantastic in his first three games with the unbeaten Raptors (4-0), averaging 25.7 points and 9 rebounds per game. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 29.3 points and 9 assists for the Spurs, with a career-high 14 of those assists coming in Monday’s overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers.