Q. You came in, you came in what, like 250, 260? Do you ever feel like adding the muscle really affected your shot or is that what just like placebo, people thinking that.

Anthony Davis: It does, man. Like the strength training I was doing cuz I knew I was playing center like I'm going against Joel Embiid, Jokic… it changes, right? And I never like I've always played like 250, 255. And that year I had got to like 265 and it was like I didn't like it. It actually probably like 268 and I didn't like it. I'm like, bro, I can't play like this. I feel heavy. So I tried to cut during the season but when like when you trying to do that while you playing this it was tough. And then that's when I went and was like hey man I want another big and all this stuff and you know it just didn't happen whatever.

Source: https://eu.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2026/10/04/anthony-davis-says-he-asked-lakers-to-add-another-big-man-after-feeling-heavy-playing-center/92089586007/

Link of the interview: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pjaLHuX9CoY&t=1385s&pp=2AHpCpACAQ%3D%3D

But don’t rule outa Bronny James trade, not because the Lakers are seeking to sump him but because he could bring in draft assets–even a second rounder or two, which is what James would bring. “There’s definitely interest there,” one executive said of other teams nosing around on James. “He’s gotten much better in a short period. He knows his role, and it’s hard to find young guys who just want to excel in their role.” Again, we’re not talking first-round picks, and dumping Knecht is still probably the Lakers’ path. But Bronny James being traded because of his own ability and not because of his dad would be a great story.

Source: https://eu.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2026/10/04/nba-executive-theres-definitely-interest-in-bronny-james-around-the-league/92090247007/

https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-celtics-news/147076/celtics-charleston-training-camp-joe-mazzulla-jordan-walsh

Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401918010/warriors-clippers

Rui Hachimura’s night for the Clippers is done: 15 MINS, 21 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 8-11 FG, 4-5 3P, 1-2 FT, +7 +/-

LeBron James is already getting his first taste of life with the Philadelphia 76ers. The four-time NBA champion took part in the Blue-White Game, the team’s intrasquad scrimmage held in front of around 10,000 fans at Xfinity Mobile Arena, offering an early glimpse of what the Sixers’ new-look team could become in the 2026-27 season.

James emphasized the importance of taking what the team had worked on during the first week of training camp and transferring it to the court: “To be able to take what we’ve done on the practice floor, bring it to a game floor situation around our fans, it was a great first step in the direction we’re trying to go.”

The veteran also showed an early connection with Joel Embiid, finding the center for a three-pointer in transition. James then spoke about Embiid’s physical condition, highlighting his progress compared to their time together with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“The difference between ’24 and now, he’s just so much more healthy. He hasn’t missed a practice. He’s been in damn near everything that we’ve done. Pretty much. They’ve had to sit him out at times, even when he wanted to keep going. So it’s been good. Actually, great,” James said.

Source: https://sportando.basketball/en/lebron-james-first-impressions-with-the-sixers-it-was-a-great-first-step/

​

Duren, sitting next to Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon – who told reporters Monday he hadn't spoken to Duren all summer – began his press conference by reading a long, written statement accepting his own flaws while also acknowledging that a lot of the rumors about him this summer didn't come from him.

"I am a Detroit Piston," Duren said. "I want to be a Detroit Piston for life. I want to give everything I’ve got to the Pistons and the fans."

"Nothing came from me," Duren said. "Everything that was being heard was speculation. … That's part of the media’s job … I don’t fault anybody for that. I do know that a lot of the things were false and people believe things without it coming from the sources mouth."

Duren averaged a career-high 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 65.0% from the field in 70 games last season.

Source: https://eu.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2026/10/04/jalen-duren-press-conference-detroit-pistons-nba/92090257007/

If every NBA team scrapped its current name and renamed itself after the food its city is best known for, this is what we'd get:

Atlantic Division

• Boston Cream Pies: It was invented in Boston. It is also very clearly a cake and not a pie!
• Brooklyn Pizza: There are about 400 different New York foods I could have used, so Brooklyn gets pizza.
• New York Bagels: The Knicks get bagels.
• Philadelphia Cheesesteaks: This one is easy.
• Toronto Peameal Bacon Sandwiches: Toronto's signature sandwich.

Central Division

• Chicago Deep Dishes: Easy.
• Cleveland Polish Boys: Kielbasa, fries, coleslaw and barbecue sauce all on one sandwich...
• Detroit Square Pizzas: Detroit invented a shape, good job.
• Indiana Pork Tenderloins: Another easy one.
• Milwaukee Cheese Curds: I don't think I need to explain this.

Southeast Division

• Atlanta Lemon Pepper Wings: Specifically lemon pepper. Whether they should be wet is a discussion I'm not qualified to moderate.
• Charlotte Bojangles: Named after the famous chicken chain. https://www.wbtv.com/2026/06/30/lebron-james-loves-bojangles-could-it-be-enough-lure-him-charlotte-hornets/
• Miami Cuban Sandwiches: Miami has stone crab, croquetas and a million other options, but the Cuban sandwich wins.
• Orlando Key Lime Pie: Not really from just Orlando, but still.
• Washington Half-Smokes: No wonder they haven't won 50 games since 1978.

Northwest Division

• Denver Green Chile: Denver puts green chile on basically everything it can get away with. Including breakfast.
• Minnesota Jucy Lucys: A burger with the cheese inside the meat instead of on top.
• Oklahoma City Onion Burgers: A classic regional favorite.
• Portland Marionberry Pies: Oregon's state pie uses a berry developed in Oregon.
• Utah Funeral Potatoes: Possibly the least threatening team name ever created.

Pacific Division

• Golden State Sourdoughs: San Francisco sourdough. Imagine Draymond Green getting ejected while wearing a loaf of bread on his jersey.
• Los Angeles Lakers French Dips: The Lakers get the old-school LA food.
• LA Clippers Street Tacos: The Clippers get tacos.
• Phoenix Sonoran Hot Dogs: Bacon-wrapped hot dog with beans, onions, tomatoes and a pile of toppings.
• Sacramento Tomatoes: Sacramento is America's Farm-to-Fork Capital and historically has enough tomato credentials to have been nicknamed the Big Tomato. The Sacramento Tomatoes genuinely sounds like a 1948 BAA team.

Southwest Division

• Dallas Tex-Mex: A legendary culinary staple.
• Houston Viet-Cajun Crawfish: This division is already unfair.
• Memphis Dry-Rub Ribs: Memphis barbecue.
• New Orleans Po-Boys: Gumbo and beignets were sitting right there too. Po-Boys has a ring to it though.
• San Antonio Puffy Tacos: One of my favorite names.

Per the Spurs Tobias Harris has suffered a left calf strain and will be evaluated after the preseason. He is officially QUESTIONABLE for the season opener vs. OKC on Oct. 20.

Team says the injury happened during training camp.

Via: Matt Guzman.

The Trail Blazers acquired a player who once looked like a future face of the NBA for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. That's how far Ja Morant's value has fallen. Morant once electrified the NBA with his explosive handle, acrobatic finishes and complete disregard for anyone standing between him and the rim. But with injuries, off-court troubles and diminishing on-court performance, it becomes harder to justify paying him more than $40 million in each of the next two seasons.

But for just Grant and Murray, I understand why the Blazers took the chance. Deni Avdija needs a co-star. Scoot Henderson hasn't shown enough consistency to become one. Damian Lillard is returning from a torn Achilles. Shaedon Sharpe is recovering from knee surgery. Taking the next step could require a gamble on talent Portland wouldn't otherwise have a realistic chance to acquire. And maybe, just maybe, Morant could be that piece.

In his first 12 games last season, Morant was as bad as he's ever been. He scored 22.4 points per 36 minutes on 47.7% true shooting and struggled to get to the basket. All that was missing was the James Harden fat suit, because Morant clearly didn't want to be in Memphis anymore. But after returning from a calf strain in December, he posted 28.5 points per 36 on 58.7% true shooting over his final eight appearances. His efficiency and shot distribution resembled his two All-Star seasons, when he produced 29.6 points per 36 on 56.6% true shooting.

Ja began to look more like Ja. In the clips above from his 40-point game against the Sixers, he displayed burst off the dribble and finished acrobatically with either hand. His ability to get into the paint was returning, and so were the opportunities it created for everyone else.

In the next three games, he logged 36 assists: 11 against the Lakers, 13 against the Magic and 12 against the Hawks. He manipulated defenders with his handle, drew help and found the open man. In transition, he pushed the ball ahead before defenses could get organized.

For a brief moment before a sprained ligament in his left elbow and a Grizzlies tank job ended his season, Morant finally began to look like himself again. Of course, it was only eight games. But at 27, imagine what a healthy Morant could do for Avdija, who averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists last season.

At 6-foot-8, Deni's combination of size, downhill scoring and passing turned him into an offensive centerpiece. And at only 25, he may be only just tapping into his ceiling. Having another player capable of getting downhill could spare him from having to beat a set defense so often.

But can these Blazers blend?

Even at his peak, Ja had a shaky jumper and defensive limitations. Portland can help mitigate those flaws with Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara there to take the tougher defensive assignments. The both of them also offer spot-up shooting, screening and connective passing on offense. But the core pieces need to offer enough of those role-player qualities too.

Morant has made 33% of his career catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, compared with Avdija's 34.5%. Spacing could become an issue for this team if Camara can't sustain his improvement from last year and if Donovan Clingan can't successfully become a spot-up threat.

Is Dame supposed to play off-ball most of the time now just to offer some spacing? Maybe early on. But he averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists in his last season in Milwaukee and was named an All-Star. At age 36 coming off a torn Achilles, there's no telling how much he has left. But Blazers fans know more than anyone how foolish it'd be to ever count out Dame.

Last season, Portland ranked 22nd in isolation scoring efficiency and 28th in pick-and-roll scoring efficiency, per Synergy Sports. Lillard could help solve those problems with his pull-up jump shooting. So could Ja. And their shared presence alleviates the pressure on each other to be themselves right away. Especially for Dame. At age 36, in his first year back from a torn Achilles, it might be beneficial for him to take on a lighter workload. And there will still be plenty of moments that everyone in the building knows the ball should be in Dame's hands.

It's been a weird year in Portland. But looking purely at the basketball situation, the Blazers hired one of the league's most-respected assistants in Micah Nori and have an impressive blend of proven veterans and young players. Maybe Scoot takes a leap in a sixth-man role. Maybe Clingan becomes the rare center who can both put a lid on the rim and shoot 3s on the other end. Maybe Deni goes from All-Star to All-NBA. Maybe Dame looks like Dame once again. And maybe Ja still has a few prime seasons left in him. Or maybe Morant shoots Portland in the foot.

Link: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/the-blazers-are-betting-on-a-ja-morant-comeback-170000225.html