In today’s Dub Hub:
Podziemski’s impressive play earned him a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team, but his joy was tempered by his teammate Jackson-Davis narrowly missing the cut by a single vote.
And who can forget the standout moment of his season, a spectacular dunk over the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, May 21st:
Warriors News:
Podziemski ‘upset’ about Jackson-Davis’ NBA All-Rookie snub
Trayce Jackson-Davis received 42 points from voters. All 42 were to the second team, which each amount to one point. GG Jackson II of the Memphis Grizzlies received 33 votes to the second team, but also five first-team votes, giving Jackson 43 total points as the fifth and final member of the All-Rookie Second Team.
“It makes me upset for him,” Podziemski told reporters Monday at Chase Center and over Zoom. “We’ve been through everything together.”
Draymond tips hat to T-Wolves after they prove him wrong vs. Nuggets | NBC Sports Bay Area
“[Towns’] growth is incredible,” Green said on his podcast. “I applaud that. You’ve got to love it. And you’ve also got to give some credit to the guys that surround him. Somebody’s pulling something out of him that they didn’t know they had … He’s carrying these guys — I thought they [were] toast. [They] should have been. Kept going. Kept fighting. Got to love it.
“I tip my hat to them — it’s going to be interesting to see them versus Dallas [Mavericks] next series. It’s going to be a hell of a matchup.”
What do you think of Scott Foster after reading this? | The Athletic
The three former referees interviewed for this article, each no longer under the watchful eye of the league, note that the Paul-Foster feud has been narrated from one side. The NBA largely restricts officials from speaking to the media, so the only vantage of the conflict, they claim, has been through Paul’s lens.
Spooner, the retired ref with 32 years in the league, said he thinks Paul has been building a calculated campaign against Foster.
“I’m going to tell you, and I know you are recording me, but I get asked all the time: ‘Who are some of the tough guys, some of the bad guys?’ And when I tell them that Chris Paul, in my 32 years in the league, was one of the biggest a–holes I ever dealt with, they say, ‘Not Rasheed Wallace … or da-da-da?’ Nope. Nothing like (Paul),” Spooner said. “And they are like, ‘Oh, he seems like such a nice guy.’ And I say, ‘Yeah, he’s a great image cultivator.’”
The Athletic’s Anthony Slater explains why June 28th is the date to watch for Warriors’ fans
Hall of Famer Steve Nash congratulates Brandin Podziemski on being named to NBA’s All-Rookie First Team
NBA News:
2024 NBA playoffs: What will decide Celtics-Pacers and Timberwolves-Mavericks in the conference finals? | ESPN
Matchup to watch: An elite battle on the perimeter
It’s the league’s highest-scoring tandem against one of its best pairs of perimeter defenders. Edwards already showed the Timberwolves’ hand, declaring in his post-Game 7 interview that his matchup would be Irving, meaning McDaniels will be the primary defender on Doncic.
The smothering defense of McDaniels and Edwards factored into one of the most memorable moments of the Mavs’ stumble into the lottery last season. Down three in the final seconds of Irving’s Mavs home debut, Irving and Doncic passed the ball back and forth, unable to get a decent look, before Irving coughed up a turnover — a scene that foreshadowed Dallas’ disappointing finish.
But Irving and Doncic combined for 69 points in that loss and matched that total in a Jan. 7 win over the Wolves, which was the only occasion they both played in four meetings against Minnesota this season.
‘We Need to Look at What We Think He’ll Be’: The NBA Exec View of Bronny James | Bleacher Report
Most-Likely Outcome
Like any prospect, James needs to make the most out of whatever opportunity he gets. If he puts in the work and develops, he could carve out a lengthy career in the league as a role player. His initial focus should be on defense and shooting. Longer term, he needs to improve as a shot-creator.
The most likely spot for him is to land with the Lakers, either at No. 55 or by the team climbing via trade to select him. The team could keep him on the standard roster or sign him as a two-way. Either way, he would probably spend most of his time with the South Bay Lakers.
If another team selects him first—for basketball or business reasons—James will follow a similar development path. He needs time on the court to grow as a player, and that’s likely part-time in the NBA but primarily in the G League.
