NBA at ESPN | formerly at The Ringerhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mumy2oozc22hTook a time machine back to the early 2000s to analyze how the Joe Smith punishment affected the Timberwolves—and why things might be better, or much worse, for the Clippers 25 years later https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49814576/kawhi-investigation-fallout-how-clippers-roster-affected03 Sep 2026 17:30 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumy2oozc22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mukrnsay2s2jThe Clippers just received the Joe Smith penalty, losing 5 first-round picks. As a reminder, here's what the Timberwolves' ensuing drafts looked like at that time, right in the middle of Kevin Garnett's prime:02 Sep 2026 20:30 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mukrnsay2s2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mthakri5d22wWhat's the most memorable, defining moment of the 2025-26 NBA season? Let's evaluate the candidates and choose the winner. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49640211/nba-2025-2026-season-victor-wembanyama-new-york-knicks-finals-bam-adebayo-tanking-aspiration19 Aug 2026 17:21 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mthakri5d22whttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mrfojc67rc26At various points over the past few weeks, I'd pre-written material for LeBron joining the Warriors, Cavaliers, and Heat. You're welcome, 76ers fans.24 Jul 2026 15:35 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrfojc67rc26https://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mqzryzbrb22xCharles De Ketelaere is going to be the answer to a really good trivia question someday (only player to score against Spain at this World Cup)19 Jul 2026 22:05 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqzryzbrb22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mqpnfigud22hTiming of Argentina's winners in the knockout rounds: vs. Cape Verde: 111th minute vs. Egypt: 92nd minute (stoppage time) vs. Switzerland: 112th minute vs. England: 92nd minute (stoppage time) They haven't led after 90 minutes of any knockout game. But they're in the final.15 Jul 2026 21:16 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqpnfigud22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mqnirnzpn223Cristopher Sanchez allowed more earned runs in the 1st inning of the All-Star Game than he's allowed in any full start at home this season. I love stats like this.15 Jul 2026 00:48 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqnirnzpn223https://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mqfrcayvqs2dThe Knicks scored 65 points in their first summer league game and have 17 at halftime of game 2. I don't think they're going to follow their NBA Cup and NBA Finals titles with a summer league championship.11 Jul 2026 22:59 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqfrcayvqs2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mqdlodtqic2bUpdate: He ended the game with 7 made 3s, matching his entire college total [contains quote post or other embedded content]11 Jul 2026 02:13 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqdlodtqic2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mqdih2mbvc2rCaleb Wilson made seven 3-pointers in his entire college season last year. He already has four made 3s (and a near-fifth, with his foot on the line) in his first 20 minutes at summer league.11 Jul 2026 01:16 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqdih2mbvc2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mprthfcat22oSports are so cool04 Jul 2026 00:45 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mprthfcat22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mpmv63ldok2mA bad instant replay ruling just ruined the most exciting USMNT World Cup run ever02 Jul 2026 01:32 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpmv63ldok2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mpltt7nlls27Let out an audible "wow" at the Mitchell Robinson/Celtics news, and then a much louder "WHOA" at the Walker Kessler/Lakers trade01 Jul 2026 15:35 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpltt7nlls27https://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mpju6ebjxc2bI love the Kawhi Leonard trade (part 2) for the Raptors and think they're a bona fide contender next season. They had the best defense for a non-elite team last year and just added a true No. 1 option. Grades and full analysis here: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49208596/kawhi-leonard-trade-grades-reaction-clippers-raptors-contract30 Jun 2026 20:36 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpju6ebjxc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mpjfj62hhc2hI find rivals-to-friends athlete trajectories really moving, emotionally: Federer-Nadal, Evert-Navratilova, etc. They say a lot about the human spirit. LeBron and Steph teaming up after all the Cavs-Warriors Finals seems almost too remarkable to come true.30 Jun 2026 16:14 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpjfj62hhc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mp2hzubdhk2zMade this chart while analyzing Austin Reaves' new max contract24 Jun 2026 17:49 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp2hzubdhk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3moxjk53j4k2tGrading the Giannis-to-the-Heat blockbuster (finally): https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49112635/giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-grades-winners-losers-reaction-bucks-heat23 Jun 2026 13:38 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3moxjk53j4k2thttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3movloose5c2vI've taken over grading duties at ESPN, where I'm assessing all trades, free agent signings and extensions this offseason. I started out positive, with only high marks in the early going. That changed with Trae Young's new four-year, $212 million deal. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48957095/2026-nba-free-agency-grades-offseason-signings-deals-contracts-extensions-depth-charts22 Jun 2026 19:11 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3movloose5c2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mog2aafues2oI announced the winners of a fake award that should exist: the All-Playoffs first and second teams, and overall Playoffs MVP. Find out the 10 honorees here. (Hint: There are a whole lot of Knicks.) https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49073589/nba-finals-2026-all-playoff-teams-first-second-jalen-brunson-victor-wembanyama16 Jun 2026 14:49 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mog2aafues2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3moax6alqzk2tAt long last, the Knicks' title drought is over. I wrote about Jalen Brunson's MVP-worthy finale, the unique way the Knicks built a championship roster, and what a disappointing end means for the rising Spurs. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49056824/new-york-knicks-win-2026-nba-finals-san-antonio-spurs-game-5-brunson-towns-wembanyama14 Jun 2026 14:11 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3moax6alqzk2thttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mo7tbiuk222nFOUL UP THREE I wrote earlier this postseason that the NBA's worst-case scenario was the Finals being decided by a foul instead of a game-tying jump shot attempt. Well... https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48582233/nba-playoffs-2026-foul-3-san-antonio-spurs-portland-trail-blazers-impact14 Jun 2026 03:28 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mo7tbiuk222nhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mo7pkwsd3k2nIf the refs had called a flagrant on Wembanyama for stepping into Brunson's landing zone on that 3, he would've been suspended for Game 6 (if necessary)14 Jun 2026 02:22 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mo7pkwsd3k2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mo7no2mmjc2dThe Knicks had 6 points in the paint and 0 points from their bench, yet they're down only 5 at halftime. One half away from a championship.14 Jun 2026 01:48 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mo7no2mmjc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mo7lzxcqcc2dTwo minutes into the second quarter, the Knicks have had more shots blocked by Wemby (5) than go in the hoop (4)14 Jun 2026 01:19 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mo7lzxcqcc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mo55im37222hThat half was the most fun I've ever had watching the USMNT. This is incredible.13 Jun 2026 01:53 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mo55im37222hhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mnza3wcgds2rMorning, NBA fans! Live now for ESPN, I explored the anatomy of a historic Knicks comeback and a historic Spurs collapse. (Link in next post.)11 Jun 2026 12:29 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnza3wcgds2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mnycgtnen22xOops, part 2 [contains quote post or other embedded content]11 Jun 2026 03:38 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnycgtnen22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mnybmr6ock2xMy notes on this game have descended into increasingly incoherent scribbles11 Jun 2026 03:24 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnybmr6ock2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mnxzkrtlp22sPresented without any opinion, just some context: Karl-Anthony Towns led the league with 61 offensive fouls this season. No other player had more than 38. In the tracking era, KAT has three of the five seasons with the most offensive fouls. (Giannis has the other two.)11 Jun 2026 01:00 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnxzkrtlp22shttps://bsky.app/profile/zachkram.bsky.social/post/3mnuivedyjk2qAlso at ESPN today: I reviewed and graded 30 bold predictions I made in the preseason, including this absolute winner (link in next post)09 Jun 2026 15:23 +0000at://did:plc:sanjdnfszpuiencndclday4o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnuivedyjk2q