Almost halfway through the season, Week 4 of the BIG3 summer professional league starts off on Saturday afternoon. Enemies captain, Gilbert Arenas, will be leading his third-ranked team against the big men of the Aliens squad.

A lack of reliable outside shooting at the forward position has plagued the Portland Trail Blazers in three consecutive postseasons. Al-Farouq Aminu and Moe Harkless played crucial roles, primarily on the defensive end, during the regular season, but became unplayable once the playoffs intensified.

Switching, versatility and flexibility. Three things I enjoy watching in a defense and key fundamentals to a successful one - the most recent example? The 2019 NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors.

We all know how special Patty Mills is to the San Antonio Spurs. As the only member of the 2014 Championship team to be with the Spurs since (Marco Belinelli has rejoined), he has been the backbone of the franchise. It’s a lot to be uplifted by a team and the city that you represent, yet another to be recognized by other throughout the league who have the same job that you do

The Indiana Pacers finally overcame their woefully disappointing Summer League showing by grabbing a nice looking win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pacers entered their Consolation Game as the 32 seed, getting run out of the gym in each of their last four games, but finally showed some purpose in their final outing. They had another strong start, but were finally able to close strong, outscoring the Clippers 27-19 in the final quarter.

Entering the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers appeared to have two primary goals: To trade for Anthony Davis, and sign another star — like Kawhi Leonard — in free agency.

Ever since the Oklahoma City Thunder traded James Harden in 2012, I’ve spent way too much time considering an alternate universe where the Houston Rockets acquired Russell Westbrook instead.

What will define Sam Presti, NBA general manager? For some time, the Oklahoma City Thunder chief would have been defined by drafting Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden — three future MVPs — in successive years. There isn’t a better three-year lottery run in the modern era. This vision of Presti topped out in the 2012 NBA Finals.