NBA Media Day roundup: Best stories, quotes, photos and memes
By Ian Levy
The preseason is finally here with the annual NBA Media Day hoopla marking the official opening of training camps. With several huge trades completed over the past week, and several more still looming (James Harden and Malcolm Brogdon) NBA rumors will continue to swirl.
But in the meantime, actual NBA players and execs are in front of actual NBA media and we're collecting everything you need to know from today.
James Harden doesn't show
We've seen a pair of massive trades in the past two weeks with Damian Lillard moving to the Bucks and Jrue Holiday heading to the Celtics. But James Harden, who requested a trade from the 76ers, hasn't been moved yet and he is apparently not showing up until he is.
ESPN Sources: In what’s expected to be a continued attempt to push for a trade, Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden isn’t in attendance for the team’s media day today. Harden remains upset that the organization hasn’t moved him to the Clippers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 2, 2023
Daryl Morey it's not clear how much pressure this will actually put on the 76ers as neither Morey or Embiid seemed particularly moved by his no-show at their media appearances.
Morey says that he and Harden have not spoken since earlier this summer when Harden requested the trade and requested that everything go through his reputation
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 2, 2023
The overarching message of Embiid's presser is similar to the start of the Ben holdout: control what he can control, and belief in their ability to win as long as he's on the floor
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 2, 2023
Jimmy Butler tries the same joke twice
Jimmy Butler made waves last year, showing up to Media Day with some dramatic, partially bleached dreadlocks, ensuring that they would be included in his official portrait for his entire season. He followed that up with an entirely new look.
Jimmy Butler has arrived.
— Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) October 2, 2023
“I’m emo.” pic.twitter.com/cs1TTP5swv
Whatever Butler's stylist is making, it's clearly not enough.
Deandre Ayton is trying out a new nickname in Portland
New season, new you. Deandre Ayton has a new home with the Portland Trail Blazers and he's already working on reinventing himself.
Former Sun Deandre Ayton today:
— LEEZUS (@AndrewLeezus) October 2, 2023
“Dominance. I bring dominance. My name is DominAyton.” pic.twitter.com/ceZ3zErYb6
Maybe we're talking about hypothetical dominance? Or psychological dominance? Or maybe in locker room ping-pong tournaments? I'm not sure I've seen it on an actual basketball court.
Kawhi Leonard says he's healthy, like REALLY healthy
Kawhi Leonard isn't usually the most interesting quote but he dropped some eyebrow-raisers. He said he's healthy and aggressively swatted down questions about how the NBA's new load management would affect him. But the big news is that he committed to playing for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kawhi Leonard said he wanted to play for Team USA this summer but that he would play this coming summer for them in the Paris Olympics.
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) October 2, 2023
For a guy who usually keeps things pretty vague, this is a pretty profound statement.
Get your first look at Damian Lillard in a Bucks jersey
Dame kicks for Media Day 👟 #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/bXO1bQuMzh
— NBA (@NBA) October 2, 2023
Looks pretty good, right?
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