NBA Season Tips with NBA Media Day!

Ink is my favorite color

By Andrew Lynch

The offseason is always a good time to get new ink, and Derrick Williams proudly showed off his new tattoo at Sacramento Kings media day.

Avert your eyes, Pacers fans

By Andrew Lynch

IT BURNS THE EYE FLESH!

Love, LeBron and Kyrie together at last

By Matt Cianfrone

Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love are going to be posing for a lot of photos over the next few days. Here is one of the first.

Dion Waiters wins media day 

By Matt Cianfrone

Dion Waiters is a confident individual. Never one to shy away from anything, Waiters took his turn today at Cavs media day and didn’t disappoint.

There was actual basketball talk from Waiters as well.

Finally, I have no idea if this exchange actually happened or not but I love it either way and really hope it is real.

The Way of Wade doesn’t include 3-point shots

By Matt Cianfrone

Dwyane Wade is getting older and starting to lose some of his trademark athleticism. For most players that means adding something to their game or improving a weakness. Dwyane Wade isn’t most players.

This should go well

By Matt Cianfrone

Deron Williams has a reputation for being difficult to work with and being a “coach killer.” New Nets head coach Lionel Hollins was asked about Deron and his reputation and answered in a way that doesn’t really make anything better. At least they have something in common I guess.

Lifestyles of LeBron and the famous

By Andrew Lynch

With regard to his weight loss, LeBron explained that it wasn’t a basketball decision. Sometimes, you just have to come up with challenges for yourself.

As for his children’s input on the decision to return to Cleveland? If anything, it was LeBron trying to give input on the children making the call.

Via @Cavs

Return of the King

by Andrew Lynch

He’s baaaaaaaaaack.

And he’s still brothers with Dwyane Wade.

On LeBron James, front office executive and basketball player

by Andrew Lynch

The idea of LeBron James playing a part in personnel decisions for the Cleveland Cavaliers doesn’t seem to bother their current executives.

And on the court, new head coach David Blatt already has part of his plan in place with regard to LeBron:

The eloquent Erik Spoelstra evades one particular topic

by Andrew Lynch

For all intents and purposes, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra cut a wrestling promo on the mic at Heat media day Friday. He repeatedly referenced the bedrock philosophies of the Miami Heat. He told fans they can count on the Heat, even as everything else in the NBA changes. He extolled Heat nation.

And he only once mentioned LeBron James by name.

Becky Hammon brings a fresh perspective to San Antonio

by Andrew Lynch

Manu Ginobili has one rule in life: whenever possible, compliment someone else while taking a dig at Gregg Popovich.

Throwback Media Day for Gregg Popovich

by Andrew Lynch

First, we get Pop with a beard. Now, we get this:

All glory to the Pop.

Permission to speak plainly granted to Manu Ginobili

by Andrew Lynch

Manu Ginobili really wanted to play in the FIBA World Cup this summer, but the San Antonio Spurs denied him permission to do so because of concerns over a stress fracture in his right leg. That didn’t sit so well with Manu.

A new start for Miami

by Andrew Lynch

You don’t replace LeBron James. Such thought is folly.

Kevin Garnett is the “life” of Brooklyn’s locker room

by Andrew Lynch

That has to be the most moribund locker room in league history. Kevin Garnett is great, and he’s a basketball legend. But if he’s the life of your locker room, you might want to invest in a few jesters just to lighten things up a bit.

On the other hand, it makes a certain amount of sense. After all, there’s this:

That kind of influence matters. Brook Lopez is a veteran at this point in his NBA career, but he can still use a confidence boost now and again. And KG’s there to give it to him.

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING GREGG POPOVICH

by Andrew Lynch

Gregg Popovich once again has a beard. The world is saved.

Remember, friends — bearded Pop is friendly Pop. Bearded Pop plays pranks. Bearded Pop does this:

Phil Jackson wasn’t watching Derek Jeter last night

by Andrew Lynch

You’ll likely recall the Jordan brand commercial from this summer in honor of Derek Jeter, in which Phil Jackson makes a cameo to pay his respect to the retiring Yankee captain. And you’d likely expect that Jackson was watching Jeter’s final appearance at Yankee Stadium last night.

You would be wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X03_bNuihLU

Kevin Garnett’s sigh of sorrow

by Andrew Lynch

Kevin Garnett might or might not be happy to be back with the Brooklyn Nets. Then again, maybe he’s just tired of media days at this point in his career.

As for the whole Jason Kidd thing, well …

Let’s get it started

by Andrew Lynch

This is what we live for.

The NBA season generally, yes. But NBA media day is always one of the most fun days on the NBA calendar, and those teams where are traveling overseas for preseason play are holding their media days today. NBA.com lists media days for the Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings and defending champion San Antonio Spurs, and it appears that the New York Knicks are having some form of media day today as well.

We’ll be here all day to bring you the latest quirky bits from the various media days, and you can also stream them live on teams’ websites. In addition, NBA TV will be doing live look-ins on Cleveland and San Antonio.

So what do you say, Phil Jackson? Want to get us started?