ESPN:
The NBA has launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Philadelphia 76ers  star  James Harden's public admonishment of the franchise's President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, sources told ESPN.

The league office is believed to be pursuing an understanding of whether Harden was portending a 2023-2024 hold out in violation of the league's collective bargaining agreement -- or had been referencing past contract discussions with the organization that might constitute salary cap circumvention, sources said.

the league office has made a point of persecuting daryl morey ever since his (very tame) comments about taiwan blew up the NBA's chinese media rights deals.

Kevin McHale never even mentioned China. What was the reason that time?

Uh, what?

filing lawsuits against other teams seems like the kind of transgression that can get the league to take your team away from you.

I have not followed, but Steve Kerr has been gushing about Ant.

“He’s unquestionably ‘the guy,’” coach Steve Kerr said. “I mean … he knows it, but now the team knows it and I think the fans see it. But we see it in practice every day. He genuinely believes he’s the best player in the gym every single night. And he’s such a dynamic young player, but I think he’s taking a leap.”

I've always been curious, where is the line between "fine" and "tampering" for a national team coach who is also the coach of an NBA team?

The NBA announced Tuesday that it has fined 76ers star James Harden $100,000 after his recent comments which in part referred to franchise president Daryl Morey as a "liar."

The league last week launched an inquiry into the circumstances around Harden's comments on Aug. 14 and 17, which the NBA said indicated "he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team."

The investigation found that the comments stemmed from Harden's belief that the team would not accommodate his trade request, the NBA said in a statement. An interview with Harden was part of the investigation.

The NBA announced Tuesday that it has fined 76ers star James Harden $100,000 after his recent comments which in part referred to franchise president Daryl Morey as a "liar."

Some great Timberwolves player porn on the Thinking Basketball podcast.

i'm sure the celtics and lakers fans around here are just as excited as you are to hear good things about their future players.

All I know is fans of most teams should never enjoy their players or any team success. They are purely feeder teams. That is why bo midwestern team other than Chicago has ever won a title or even made the finals.

NBA referee Eric Lewis has informed the league office that he is retiring, effective immediately. In light of his decision, the NBA's investigation into social media activity has been closed.

Is every NBA team's assigned writer from The Athletic basically an extension of the team's P.R. department?

The following was released by the NBA.
[NBA Official] NBA referee Eric Lewis has informed the league office that he is retiring, effective immediately. In light of his decision, the NBA’s investigation into social media activity has been closed.

Why is Bobby Portis on Team USA?

Aren't we supposed to be the deepest team in the world? Why are we playing Bobby Portis?

(I feel like I should throw in a Stephen A. "I mean no disrespect" when there is obviously some disrespect)

Why is Bobby Portis on Team USA?

Interesting trend from the Korean Basketball League where a number of players are 80%+ from the free throw line shooting exclusively bank shots. pic.twitter.com/OBKmVW3pfa

— Eric Fawcett (@EricFawcett_) August 31, 2023

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
David Duke had agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Sixers, according to a league source. He played in 45 games for the Nets over the past two seasons.

He was born in 1999, well after the infamous Duke went full Nazi. He's black, so I'm gonna assume his parents aren't white nationalists. But the kicker to me is ... he's a Jr.. Didn't his dad for sure get teased about his name in the years leading up to his birth? And he named him that anyway? I guess it's the referenced Michael Bolton defiance, but that seems like an awfully mean thing to do to your kid.

I'm curious, how much do you guys care about the FIBA world cup?

Straight up embarrassing to be handily outplayed by Isaac Bonga. Giving up 12 offensive boards because you can't keep Daniel Theis and *Johannes Voigtmann* off the glass.

The U.S. played a spirited and aggressive game. The team was just too small, and it showed up repeatedly, just as it did against Lithuania last weekend in the previous loss.

And that was not survivable.

The U.S. cut the lead to one in the final two minutes with a valiant comeback try after Germany got up by as much as 12. But a 3-pointer by Andreas Obst held off the American charge.

Under the correct circumstances, Team USA can and did win with this alignment. But one of those factors has to be an aggressive and fast-break-generating defense.

But the margin for error was not feasible. Even with an extremely favorable draw that gave it travel and opponent advantages, there was just too much size to mitigate.

where the heck were the forwards? Paolo Banchero(2), Mikal Bridges (2), and Jaren Jackson Jr (3) had fewer rebounds than Ant Edwards (8), and by all accounts, their defense was basically nonexistent.

Tyrese Halliburton, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, maaaaaaaybe Austin Reaves--you can stay.

The rest of you? Thank you for your time on Team USA.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: LeBron James wants to represent Team USA at 2024 Paris Olympics and is spearheading group of future Hall of Famers – including Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant – prepared to commit.

James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well. Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources said.

James’ effort started well before the USA World Cup team, led by Anthony Edwards and Mikal Bridges, lost at the World Cup and was not related to whether this summer’s team won or lost. While the American national team has struggled at the last two World Cups, the program has won four consecutive golds at the Olympics.

Apparently LeBron has a nearly photographic memory as it relates to basketball plays.