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Hey, it’s Zach Harper! I’m again from Europe! Large due to Jason Jones for writing killer editions of The Bounce in my absence. We all know the season is correct across the nook as a result of social media is letting us know Ben Simmons is understanding and prepared. 🙄
Metropolis or 💩-y?
New metropolis unis are tanking for Cooper Flagg
Perhaps jersey designs are simply damaged on the whole. I keep in mind not loving what Adidas did with the NBA uniforms, particularly once they tried to make fetch (sleeved) jerseys a factor. When the NBA uniform contract went to Nike, I acquired excited. Nike typically has good concepts with uniforms — simply have a look at a few of the cool stuff they’ve completed with the College of Oregon! However within the period of assertion, icon and no matter different jersey names they’ll give you as a substitute of claiming “dwelling and away,” we’ve seen some actual battle designs.
The most recent peek on the Metropolis Version jerseys for the upcoming season left many people saturated in disappointment. Of the 30 sneak peaks revealed this week, I’d argue that possibly 5 of them are in “I don’t thoughts it” to “these are legitimately good” territory. Listed below are the 5 I can settle for/take pleasure in (courtesy of NiceKicks):
On a scale of 1-10, I’d give the 76ers a 9.5, the Grizzlies a 9, the Spurs a 9.5, the Jazz an 8 (we’ve seen it earlier than, nevertheless it distracts from the unhealthy fashionable jerseys) and the Blazers a strong 7, possibly 7.5. San Antonio and Philadelphia completely nailed their designs. I like the idea of what Memphis goes for right here. I’ve all the time thought Portland had top-of-the-line appears on the courtroom, so that is shut sufficient, though it’s slightly uninspired. Now, let’s get to those I hate essentially the most!
I’m not right here to argue with you should you like them. I hate them. The Celtics get a 0/10 for channeling the Seahawks, highlighter Jazz and the Timberwolves into one jersey. There’s a method to do a cool H-City jersey. This isn’t it, Houston (1/10 for you). The Pelicans proceed to battle with their jerseys (2/10), and the Lakers don’t have any clue what they’re doing right here (1/10, and it will be much less offensive to return to MPLS jerseys at this level). Additionally, the Wizards (1/10) are channeling some unhealthy wannabe script like a tattoo store in 2009.
Listed below are the remaining jersey grades/roasts:
Last thought: I don’t care in regards to the deeper significance of sure designs or colours used. Unhealthy is unhealthy. 🤝
Worst Summer time Ever?
Does it really feel just like the Celtics gained the title?
Keep in mind when the Celtics dominated the 2023-24 season, marched by the playoffs, cruised to the championship and obtained their much-awaited validation? All the things in that sentence appears to have occurred besides for the validation half. The Celtics have really had the weirdest championship summer time I can ever keep in mind. It’s solely getting weirder as their title protection nears.
Final week, the New York Submit reported the Celtics are being offered as a result of Wyc Grousbeck’s dad isn’t proud of the crew dropping cash. I do not know if it’s true, nevertheless it added to the weirdest summer time doable for a dominant crew. Right here’s the timeline because the title:
I’m really baffled at how unsatisfying this summer time seems to be for the Celtics. At this fee, there might be a typo within the banner on opening night time.
WNBA Finale
What to know as common season ends
In the present day is the final day of the 2024 WNBA common season, and we’ve acquired fairly a little bit of drama piling up as we head into an important playoff stretch. The playoffs start Sunday, and these are the big-ticket objects to know heading into the ultimate regular-season motion.
Growth! The town of Portland will get the fifteenth energetic WNBA squad in 2026. The crew will make its debut together with Toronto that season. And we now have the Golden State Valkyries beginning in 2025. Congratulations to the Rose Metropolis on becoming a member of the W!
Playoff spots clinched: The Liberty and Lynx are 🔒at No. 1 and No. 2. The Solar retains the No. 3 seed in the event that they beat the Sky. They’ll drop to 4 with a loss and an Aces win over the Wings. The Storm, Fever and Mercury are your 5, 6 and seven, respectively.
No. 8 seed up for grabs: If the Dream beat the Liberty tonight, they take the No. 8 seed. If the Dream lose and the Mystics win, they take the No. 8 seed. If the Dream lose, the Mystics lose to Fever, and the Sky beat the Solar, then Chicago will get the No. 8 seed. I’m 65 p.c certain I’ve completed the tiebreakers appropriately right here.
Aces seeking to 3-peat: No person has gained three straight WNBA titles because the Comets gained 4 straight from 1997-2000, the primary 4 titles in league historical past.
Is perhaps the Liberty’s time: If the Liberty win tonight, they’ll have the second-most wins in a season ever and the fifth-best win share in league historical past. Is that this their 12 months for a title run?
The Fever are harmful: Caitlin Clark’s crew has gained 13 of 20 since beginning out 7-12. May Clark hold the hype rolling with some postseason upsets?
Sheryl Swoopes doesn’t just like the Caitlin Clark impact: We’re getting fairly the library of quotes from Swoopes downgrading the Clark expertise. Not too long ago, she stated CC’s averages of 19.5 factors, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds are good however not dominating. We thrive on hate!
A’ja Wilson is one of the best on the planet: She’s working away with the league MVP for her third such award in seven seasons. She set the single-season scoring document. Dropped 1,000 factors in a season for the primary time in W historical past. Don’t guess towards her and watch to see how her tweets match Bam Adebayo’s tweets. 👀
Bounce Passes
Shoutout to Fred Katz shifting from the Knicks beat to nationwide writing. Shoutout to Josh Hart supporting Fred. Shoutout to James Edwards III going from the Pistons to Knicks beat.
Will the Giannis-Dame pick-and-roll be unstoppable subsequent season?
Okay, LeBron James is simply messing with us, isn’t he? 👏Effectively completed.
Most-clicked in Monday’s publication: Is that this final dance for the Timberwolves?
(Prime picture: Maddie Meyer / Getty Photos )