Western Conference – Hoops Habit https://hoopshabit.com NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats Thu, 25 Aug 2022 02:43:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.20 Selecting the San Antonio Spurs’ Mount Rushmore https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/24/san-antonio-spurs-mount-rushmore/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/24/san-antonio-spurs-mount-rushmore/#respond Wed, 24 Aug 2022 19:00:46 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447935   With the San Antonio Spurs celebrating their 50th season this year, now is the perfect time to take a look back at the team’s greatest players. The Spurs are one of the most successful franchises in the NBA, despite playing in a small market. In fact, they boast the highest winning percentage of any […]

Selecting the San Antonio Spurs’ Mount Rushmore - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/24/san-antonio-spurs-mount-rushmore/feed/ 0 Tre Jones vs. Joshua Primo: Who will start at point guard for the Spurs? https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/24/tre-jones-vs-joshua-primo-will-start-point-guard-spurs/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/24/tre-jones-vs-joshua-primo-will-start-point-guard-spurs/#respond Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:00:49 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447525 With All-Star Dejounte Murray traded to Atlanta, the San Antonio Spurs are without a clear answer at their starting point guard spot for the first time in decades. The role was handed to Murray by future Hall of Fame Tony Parker, and to him by a 10-year Spurs veteran in Avery Johnson. Now, the team […]

Tre Jones vs. Joshua Primo: Who will start at point guard for the Spurs? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/24/tre-jones-vs-joshua-primo-will-start-point-guard-spurs/feed/ 0 3 bold predictions for the Golden State Warriors’ 2022–23 season https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/23/3-bold-predictions-golden-state-warriors/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/23/3-bold-predictions-golden-state-warriors/#respond Tue, 23 Aug 2022 16:00:44 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447928 If you’re a fan of the Golden State Warriors then everything is looking pretty gravy right now. The organization reclaimed the throne last year, and as long as Stephen Curry is a part of this roster, then the Golden State Warriors are always going to be in the mix. Truly there is nobody else like him […]

3 bold predictions for the Golden State Warriors’ 2022–23 season - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/23/3-bold-predictions-golden-state-warriors/feed/ 0 Mavericks: Brunson’s departure presents massive opportunity for Spencer Dinwiddie https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/22/mavericks-dinwiddie-opportunity/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/22/mavericks-dinwiddie-opportunity/#respond Mon, 22 Aug 2022 23:00:21 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447924 The writing had been on the wall for months — Jalen Brunson was destined to ditch the Dallas Mavericks for Madison Square Garden. A family reunion to the tune of $104 million was hard to turn down, even if it meant giving up a chance to compete for a title alongside one of this generation’s […]

Mavericks: Brunson’s departure presents massive opportunity for Spencer Dinwiddie - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/22/mavericks-dinwiddie-opportunity/feed/ 0 How does Jakob Poeltl fit into a tanking San Antonio Spurs season? https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/22/spurs-jakob-poeltl-tank/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/22/spurs-jakob-poeltl-tank/#respond Mon, 22 Aug 2022 16:00:54 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447904 With the San Antonio Spurs facing their first true rebuild in decades, there has been plenty of speculation on what is going to happen with their vets. Their best vet is, without question, Austrian center Jakob Poeltl. There are multiple avenues for San Antonio’s front office to explore with him. They can flip Poeltl for […]

How does Jakob Poeltl fit into a tanking San Antonio Spurs season? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/22/spurs-jakob-poeltl-tank/feed/ 0 Forecasting the San Antonio Spurs’ unpredictable starting lineup https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/21/forecasting-san-antonio-spurs-starters/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/21/forecasting-san-antonio-spurs-starters/#respond Sun, 21 Aug 2022 13:00:24 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447783 The San Antonio Spurs roster will be noticeably younger and potentially significantly worse next season, especially after trading away All-Star Dejounte Murray. That decision pushes the team’s rebuild back several years and increases the chances of the San Antonio Spurs landing the number one pick in next year’s draft. Of course, they’ll have to wait […]

Forecasting the San Antonio Spurs’ unpredictable starting lineup - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/21/forecasting-san-antonio-spurs-starters/feed/ 0 If the Los Angeles Lakers keep Westbrook, “let him cook” https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/20/los-angeles-lakers-westbrook-let-cook/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/20/los-angeles-lakers-westbrook-let-cook/#respond Sat, 20 Aug 2022 16:00:52 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447781 The Los Angeles Lakers may still trade Russell Westbrook, but there’s not an obvious deal out there (although I would suggest they see if the Hornets still want to dump Gordon Heyward’s contract). At the end of the day, they might decide that the best move is to ride out the last year of Westbrook’s […]

If the Los Angeles Lakers keep Westbrook, “let him cook” - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/20/los-angeles-lakers-westbrook-let-cook/feed/ 0 Grading LeBron James’ record extension with the Los Angeles Lakers https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/19/lebron-extension-los-angeles-lakers/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/19/lebron-extension-los-angeles-lakers/#respond Fri, 19 Aug 2022 16:00:47 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447768 News broke on Wednesday that Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James had agreed to a massive 2-year, $97 million contract extension with the team. Apart from the dollar amount, which makes James the highest-paid player in NBA history, it is a big deal in several other ways. One of which is that it keeps one […]

Grading LeBron James’ record extension with the Los Angeles Lakers - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/19/lebron-extension-los-angeles-lakers/feed/ 0 The Knicks may no longer be the frontrunner to land Donovan Mitchell https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/19/knicks-not-frontrunner-donovan-mitchell/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/19/knicks-not-frontrunner-donovan-mitchell/#respond Fri, 19 Aug 2022 13:00:36 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447802 After reports that the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks were no longer discussing a trade involving superstar Donovan Mitchell, it looked like the offseason would end quietly for the Jazz. That was until a few days ago when a bomb was dropped: after weeks of no contact, the Jazz and Knicks had reentered trade […]

The Knicks may no longer be the frontrunner to land Donovan Mitchell - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/19/knicks-not-frontrunner-donovan-mitchell/feed/ 0 Timberwolves’ new twin towers could change the NBA’s blueprint yet again https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/18/timberwolves-analyzing-towns-gobert/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/18/timberwolves-analyzing-towns-gobert/#respond Thu, 18 Aug 2022 21:00:53 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447728 This offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves gave up pretty much everything they had in order to acquire star center Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz. In Utah, Gobert was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, a three-time All-Star, and a four-time All-NBA player, but never had much playoff success with his team. Minnesota experienced the same […]

Timberwolves’ new twin towers could change the NBA’s blueprint yet again - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/18/timberwolves-analyzing-towns-gobert/feed/ 0 Damian Lillard is returning to an unrecognizable Trail Blazers lineup https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/17/damian-lillard-returns-new-blazers-team/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/17/damian-lillard-returns-new-blazers-team/#respond Wed, 17 Aug 2022 15:00:18 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447709 Few active players are as deeply embedded in the history of their franchise as Damian Lillard is with the Portland Trail Blazers. Only 530 career points behind icon Clyde Drexler for the franchise’s top spot, Lillard has dragged the Blazers back to the playoffs time and time again until finally, a lingering abdomen injury forced […]

Damian Lillard is returning to an unrecognizable Trail Blazers lineup - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/17/damian-lillard-returns-new-blazers-team/feed/ 0 Can Nikola Jokic win a third straight MVP with the Denver Nuggets? https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/16/can-jokic-win-third-mvp-denver-nuggets/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/16/can-jokic-win-third-mvp-denver-nuggets/#respond Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:00:25 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447677 Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic will enter next season as the reigning two-time MVP and has a chance to do something only three players have ever done. Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird are currently the only players to ever win three straight MVPs, and winning another would put Jokic in elite company. It’s […]

Can Nikola Jokic win a third straight MVP with the Denver Nuggets? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/16/can-jokic-win-third-mvp-denver-nuggets/feed/ 0 Deandre Ayton is the X-Factor to the Phoenix Suns championship hopes https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/15/ayton-phoenix-suns-first-championship/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/15/ayton-phoenix-suns-first-championship/#respond Mon, 15 Aug 2022 23:00:21 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447661 Just a season ago, the Phoenix Suns made their first finals appearance in almost 30 years. It seemed as if head coach Monty Williams had solved the puzzle of making a deep playoff run. After losing in the second round just a year later, it is safe to say that the Suns may have lost […]

Deandre Ayton is the X-Factor to the Phoenix Suns championship hopes - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/15/ayton-phoenix-suns-first-championship/feed/ 0 Why Zion Williamson’s return is a game changer for the New Orleans Pelicans https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/15/zions-return-new-orleans-pelicans/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/15/zions-return-new-orleans-pelicans/#respond Mon, 15 Aug 2022 13:00:16 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447598 New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson missed all of last season recovering from a foot injury but is expected to be ready to play by the start of next season. The fourth-year player has struggled with injuries thus far in his career but could be in for a big comeback season. Adding a healthy Williamson […]

Why Zion Williamson’s return is a game changer for the New Orleans Pelicans - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/15/zions-return-new-orleans-pelicans/feed/ 0 The Memphis Grizzlies are in line for regression, and that’s okay https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/14/memphis-grizzlies-regression-okay/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/14/memphis-grizzlies-regression-okay/#respond Sun, 14 Aug 2022 18:00:07 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447636 No team showed as much growth over the course of one season as the Memphis Grizzlies last year. Ascending from a frisky Play-In team to the second seed in the Western Conference, Memphis established its identity as the most disciplined group of trash-talkers basketball has to offer. Punishing their opponents for every weakness with speed […]

The Memphis Grizzlies are in line for regression, and that’s okay - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/14/memphis-grizzlies-regression-okay/feed/ 0 Selecting the Los Angeles Lakers’ Mount Rushmore https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/13/los-angeles-lakers-mount-rushmore/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/13/los-angeles-lakers-mount-rushmore/#respond Sat, 13 Aug 2022 21:00:07 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447455   With so many great players throughout the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 75-year history, determining which were the best of the best can be difficult. This has sparked debates about who the greatest Lakers of all time are, and who would be on a hypothetical Los Angeles Lakers Mount Rushmore. There would only be four spots, […]

Selecting the Los Angeles Lakers’ Mount Rushmore - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/13/los-angeles-lakers-mount-rushmore/feed/ 0 Is Chet Holmgren enough to push the OKC Thunder from tanking to competing? https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/chet-okc-thunder-tanking-competing/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/chet-okc-thunder-tanking-competing/#respond Fri, 12 Aug 2022 22:00:05 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447584 Hats off to OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti, who never deviated from his gut while navigating a sudden rebuild with precision and self-awareness. The Thunder architect steered the ship through contention with a triad of superstars and came out on the other side, evolving his team until there was nothing left to do but strip […]

Is Chet Holmgren enough to push the OKC Thunder from tanking to competing? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/chet-okc-thunder-tanking-competing/feed/ 0 NBA Trades: 5 targets the Los Angeles Lakers must pursue this offseason https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/#respond Fri, 12 Aug 2022 18:00:31 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447336 The Los Angeles Lakers have been featured in no shortage of NBA trade rumors this offseason. At this point, the team is still exploring avenues to try and trade Russell Westbrook after he and the Lakers failed to mesh last season. Of course, they have had no luck thus far, but rumors have started to […]

NBA Trades: 5 targets the Los Angeles Lakers must pursue this offseason - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/feed/ 0 Can the Los Angeles Lakers convince LeBron James to stay? https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/09/los-angeles-lakers-convince-james-stay/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/09/los-angeles-lakers-convince-james-stay/#respond Tue, 09 Aug 2022 18:00:34 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447379 According to a report by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James are discussing a possible contract extension. Those talks could have league-altering ramifications since James, who’s still one of the five best players in the NBA, will be a free agent after next season. If the Los Angeles Lakers can’t convince […]

Can the Los Angeles Lakers convince LeBron James to stay? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/09/los-angeles-lakers-convince-james-stay/feed/ 0 LeBron James wants to win a championship with or without the Lakers https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/07/lebron-james-wants-championship-with-without-lakers/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/07/lebron-james-wants-championship-with-without-lakers/#respond Sun, 07 Aug 2022 16:00:37 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447293 LeBron James and the Lakers have had trouble producing enough wins during the last few seasons. Will the King decide to become a free agent next season? There would not be an NBA offseason if fans did not have the pleasure of engaging in a LeBron James conversation. For years, enthusiasts, analysts and spectators have […]

LeBron James wants to win a championship with or without the Lakers - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/07/lebron-james-wants-championship-with-without-lakers/feed/ 0 Could the luxury tax end the Golden State Warriors’ dominance? https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/06/golden-state-warriors-dynasty-jeopardy/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/06/golden-state-warriors-dynasty-jeopardy/#respond Sun, 07 Aug 2022 01:16:24 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447303 The Golden State Warriors have had quite the summer. They won their fourth championship in eight years, added talent in the NBA Draft, re-signed most of their key free agents, and improved their depth and overall roster. Not bad at all. Of course, what goes up must come down, and it’s only a matter of time […]

Could the luxury tax end the Golden State Warriors’ dominance? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/06/golden-state-warriors-dynasty-jeopardy/feed/ 0 Why Keldon Johnson could be the San Antonio Spurs’ next star https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/06/keldon-johnson-san-antonio-spurs-star/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/06/keldon-johnson-san-antonio-spurs-star/#respond Sat, 06 Aug 2022 10:00:44 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447291 The San Antonio Spurs recently signed forward Keldon Johnson to a contract extension, ensuring that their best player is now locked up for five seasons. That could prove to be a worthwhile investment for the San Antonio Spurs, especially if he’s able to make another big jump next season and emerge as a star. The talent is […]

Why Keldon Johnson could be the San Antonio Spurs’ next star - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/06/keldon-johnson-san-antonio-spurs-star/feed/ 0 Why Lonnie Walker is a big gamble for the Los Angeles Lakers https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/05/lonnie-walker-big-gamble-los-angeles-lakers/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/05/lonnie-walker-big-gamble-los-angeles-lakers/#respond Sat, 06 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447277 The Los Angeles Lakers currently find themselves at a standstill in negotiations to acquire Kyrie Irving, adding more uncertainty to a team that already has a lot of questions. Considering the Lakers have limited options to improve their roster, it makes sense that they’d pursue Irving, but signing guard Lonnie Walker doesn’t. At least not […]

Why Lonnie Walker is a big gamble for the Los Angeles Lakers - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/05/lonnie-walker-big-gamble-los-angeles-lakers/feed/ 0 Eric Paschall could have major opportunity with Minnesota Timberwolves https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/02/eric-paschall-minnesota-timberwolves/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/02/eric-paschall-minnesota-timberwolves/#respond Tue, 02 Aug 2022 10:00:06 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447237 The Minnesota Timberwolves announced on July 30 that they signed forward Eric Paschall to a one-year, two-way contract. Paschall was drafted 41st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. On a Warriors team plagued by injuries, Paschall averaged 14 points on 49.7 percent shooting, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his […]

Eric Paschall could have major opportunity with Minnesota Timberwolves - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/02/eric-paschall-minnesota-timberwolves/feed/ 0 3 free agents still available for the Golden State Warriors to sign https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/31/free-agents-golden-state-warriors/ https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/31/free-agents-golden-state-warriors/#respond Sun, 31 Jul 2022 10:00:23 +0000 http://hoopshabit.com/?p=447214 The Golden State Warriors are still riding high off their NBA title, their fourth in eight years, and a monumental step in the writing of their dynasty’s history. Yet, at the same time, the NBA calendar plods along, and they have had to move quickly to retool the roster during the NBA Draft and free […]

3 free agents still available for the Golden State Warriors to sign - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/31/free-agents-golden-state-warriors/feed/ 0