Blazing

Portland has it right now.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

Wind God Fujin (right) and Thunder God Raijin (left); Tawaraya Sotatsu; early 1600s

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‘The People You’re Paying To Be In Shorts’

I haven’t gotten a chance to watch this yet, but I’m intrigued! New longform video work from Secret Base (Jon Bois, Kofie Yeboah, Alex Rubenstein and Seth Rosenthal) on … Jordan and the Bobcats slash Hornets.

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Scores

Mavericks 105, Wizards 113 — Another off-night for the overworked Luka Doncic. This Jason Kidd quote on Doncic’s sky-high usage rate is notable:

David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc

Asked Jason Kidd about Luka's insane usage rate to start the season. It's a concern. "People will say he's 23," Kidd said. "But, he's human." At this rate, Kidd said, Dončić may hit a physical/mental wall around Christmas.

Meanwhile, Kyle Kuzma should get to wear pink all the time. BLOSSOMING out there (get it?).

Sixers 95, Hawks 104 — Trae Young to John Collins, from another planet. Look at the score and time. This game is over, Trae just doesn’t like the Sixers.

NBA @NBA

Trae Young and John Collins put the finishing touches on the @ATLHawks victory with a SICK alley-oop!

Baseline angle:

NBA @NBA

Trae Young and John Collins synced up the alley-oop from beyond half-court with just a glance 🔥

NBA @NBA

Trae Young and John Collins put the finishing touches on the @ATLHawks victory with a SICK alley-oop! https://t.co/oZk8d1UUS8

Hornets 112, Heat 117 (OT) — Hey, Jimmy Butler!

Blazers 106, Pelicans 95 — Portland: just as good and almost as surprising as the Jazz! This is a great win over a team that most slotted above the Blazers, especially with Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic and Shaedon Sharpe all out. The Pelicans’ defense isn’t really there yet.

Anyway, what a dunk by Jerami Grant.

NBA @NBA

🎥 Every angle of Jerami Grant's crossover and slam! #RipCity