NBA With Nico

     This week in the world of basketball was the NBA’s opening week of games, which featured many long-awaited and star-studded matchups. For the first time in the regular season we were able to see some of the league’s new faces in new places take action. This included the new unstoppable duo in Milwaukee of Dame and Giannis.     With Damian Lillard finally getting shipped out from the Portland Trailblazers after 11 years and going to Milwaukee to join alongside the two-time MVP Giannis, many people had questions about how the two would exactly fit playing alongside each other. Although their styles of play compliment each other with Dame’s long-range shooting, and Giannis’ physical dominance in the paint, the two have always been the number one options on their respective teams during their careers, leading to many people wondering how exactly the dynamic between them would work and who would get the last shot between them.       These worries were quickly put to rest during the Buc

    This week in the world of basketball, Kai Jones of the Charlotte Hornets was waived from the roster. This all started one early September when Kai Jones made an appearance on his Instagram Live, claiming that he did not think that he would be traded anytime soon. In the same Instagram Live, Jones appeared to be extremely hyperactive, dancing spastically around his house, and even had some viewers worried for him as it appeared as if he was exhibiting some signs of either being mentally unwell or on drugs of some kind. This narrative was only further developed when direct messages of Jones and a fan were leaked to the public where he challenged the fan to a 1v1 the next time the Hornets visited Milwaukee for $200.        In the midst of all of this, Jones' recent tweets also became a cause for concern with him saying things such as, "I'm God", that he would "cook prime diesel" [referring to Shaquille O'Neal], that the 'new' version of him was

           This week in the NBA marked the start of the preseason. With the beginning of the 2023-24 season about to be underway, there are many intriguing storylines and narratives across the league to be followed, with one of the most interesting being the beginning of 1st overall pick Victor Wembanyama's NBA career. With many analysts and fans alike calling him a "unicorn" and the next greatest generational talent, a lot of pressure has been placed on the 19 year old frenchman's shoulders.      Although at times it seems as if Wemby is being set up for failure with how high the expectations that have been set for him are, so far in the two preseason games that he has appeared in, he has yet to disappoint. The 7'4 big man showed out in his first NBA appearance against the Oklahoma City Thunder and one of his biggest threats in this year's Rookie of The Year race, Chet Holmgren, putting up 20 points, five rebounds, and two steals on 62% from the field and 40%

     This week in the NBA, teams around the league started training camp on September 26th ahead of the 2023-24 season. As the recent drama between James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers organization has come to a head, James Harden was reluctant about joining the team for camp alongside Daryl Morey and new teammate, Kelly Oubre Junior, ultimately joining the camp late on October 4th as a full participant.      This drama between Harden and the 76ers organization started when Harden exercised his player option on June 29th and requested a trade. Harden wanted out of Philadelphia and made it very clear as to why.       "Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he's a part of," Harden said during an Adidas media event in China. "Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he's a part of."     Following this statement, Harden was fined $100,000 by the league, which is now bei

          This week in the world of basketball, Damian Lillard was moved in a blockbuster 3-team trade that sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks to play alongside former MVP, Giannis Antentokumpo. This trade also sent Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Milwaukee’s 2029 first round pick, and 2 swaps to the Portland Trailblazers, while sending Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson to the Phoenix Suns. Following this trade, Jrue Holiday was moved from the Trailblazers to Boston in exchange for Malcom Brogdon and Robert Williams III.      This blockbuster trade has introduced the 11 time All-Star, Damian Lillard, to a true contender for the first time in his entire career and has seemingly created a new favorite in the Eastern Conference, with Milwaukee coming off a championship just 3 years ago. Although the Eastern Conference has other teams to worry about for Milwaukee, including the Boston Celtics who just this summer, acquired Kristaps Porzingis in addition