Latest news with #Windhorst
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Brian Windhorst drops a bold take on what's missing in the Lakers' Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves game plan
(Image Source - Getty Images) The Lakers made a power move by trading for Luka Doncic—but in doing so, they might've left their back door wide open. Anthony Davis ' departure didn't just leave a roster spot—it left a defensive void. The Timberwolves exposed it in Game 3, and analysts like Brian Windhorst are now warning what's at stake. Without rim protection, all that offensive talent could go to waste. The trade that brought Luka Doncic may have quietly opened up a bigger problem After the significant trade of Anthony Davis in February—where he was moved to Dallas for Luka Doncic—Los Angeles lost more than just an All-Star. They also lost a crucial defensive anchor. In the first round of the playoffs, Jaxson Hayes filled in for Davis, and the Lakers suffered: Minnesota outscored them 56‑26 in the paint in Game 3 alone. Windhorst mentions that without a reliable rim defender, perimeter skills don't carry much weight — especially when the matchups change sides. Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves are great on offense, but they don't provide solid defense. League analysts have noted the team's ineffective closeouts and the vulnerability in the paint throughout the series. JJ Redick summed it up well — "We don't have rim protection. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 유일한 공식 무료 SOC 게임! 설치도 없습니다! 경복의 바다 게임 플레이 Undo If we let players get by us, we're going to give up points." Their playoff defensive rating was among the worst, which is exactly the issue Windhorst points out. Windy ADVISES Luka Doncic to SIGN THE EXTENSION after Lakers' sale 🗣️ 'COULDN'T BE BETTER!' | Get Up Windhorst's message was clear: if the Lakers intend to run their perimeter-heavy lineup long-term, they must invest in interior defense. He didn't call for another superstar, just 'somebody who can defend at the rim'. They've got to find a solid athletic center—think Onyeka Okongwu or Mitchell Robinson—whether it's through free agency, a minor trade, or the draft to really own their paint. The Lakers have choices. They might go after experienced rim-protectors like Clint Capela or Brook Lopez, look into expiring contracts like Daniel Gafford, or aim for long-term potential with a player like Nicolas Claxton. One thing's for sure: their offense won't hit its peak unless they secure the paint. Also Read: Lonzo Ball was supposed to revive the Los Angeles Lakers but something went wrong The Lakers kicked off the offseason with a bang—Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves all on board—but the playoffs showed some cracks in their foundation. Brian Windhorst's warning is straightforward yet tough: having talent isn't enough without a solid defensive anchor. As the offseason chatter intensifies, the Lakers' top priority is to secure that cornerstone. If they fail, even their star trio might not shine as bright. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN's Windhorst: Rockets ‘definitely still in race' for Kevin Durant trade
ESPN's Windhorst: Rockets 'definitely still in race' for Kevin Durant trade ESPN's Brian Windhorst on the Rockets and Heat as Kevin Durant trade suitors: 'I think he's got Miami on there because he's attracted by the city and Pat Riley. It's certainly not the team.' The Miami Heat and Houston Rockets appear to be the only two NBA teams who are both on Kevin Durant's list of desired destinations and actively engaged with the Phoenix Suns to get such a deal done. And between those two, longtime league insider Brian Windhorst thinks it's Houston that could be the most compelling basketball fit. While the terms of a potential deal remain unknown, financial analysis from Rockets Wire suggests a package headlined by Jalen Green or a combination of Dillon Brooks and either Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard as the most likely starting point for a trade. Draft equity and further matching salaries would likely be a component, as well. Phoenix is reportedly underwhelmed by the current offer, though negotiations are ongoing. In a Wednesday appearance on ESPN's Get Up, Windhorst offered this update: I think he's got Miami on there because he's attracted by the city and Pat Riley. It's certainly not the team. So, let's put them aside. Let's look at Houston and San Antonio. He would be the No. 1 offensive option on those two teams. I don't know about best player, and I don't know if that's what he's looking for at age 37. But he certainly would join those two teams and make them way more dynamic offensively. Particularly Houston, who is an elite defensive team that had difficulty getting isolation and individual scoring. He certainly believes, by looking at those two teams, that he can be a very high-level member of a contending team. So, I'm going to listen to what he says there. That's why I think, Houston especially, has got their eyebrow up. I'm not sure they're willing to pay a massive price for a 37-year-old when most of the rest of their team is in its early-to-mid 20s, but I think Houston should definitely be considered still in this race. Especially if Minnesota doesn't close. Potential trade suitors not on that preferred-destination list (such as the Timberwolves, who Windhorst identified) are reportedly not bidding aggressively without a change in the All-Star forward's stance. Because Durant's current contract expires after next season, his choice to sign (or not sign) an extension carries significant weight in these talks, since many teams won't risk surrendering significant asset capital if they might lose him as an unrestricted free agent a year later. With that in mind, it appears that could make the Rockets and Heat frontrunners for Durant's services, assuming the Suns remain committed to trading him. A deal is reportedly possible at any time. To Windhorst's point, Houston finished 52-30 and No. 2 in the Western Conference last season, while Miami went 37-45 in the East. Thus, from a purely short-term basketball perspective, the Rockets would seemingly give Durant a better opportunity to compete at the highest level over whatever remains of his prime NBA years. More: Report: Rockets have 'firm offer' to trade for Kevin Durant, but Suns are underwhelmed
New York Post
13-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Thunder once thought about hiring ESPN's Brian Windhorst
Brian Windhorst has built his career by reporting on the inner-workings of NBA front offices, and it turns out he almost joined one himself. In Thursday's episode of 'Pablo Torre Finds Out,' Torre reported that Thunder general manager Sam Presti once explored hiring Windhorst away from ESPN to be an 'information guy' for Oklahoma City. 'A little over a decade ago, [Presti] actually explored hiring our extremely plugged-in buddy Brian Windhorst away from ESPN to work as an information guy for the Thunder,' Torre said. Torre noted that the reason the longtime general manager pursued Windhorst was because 'information, to Sam Presti, is currency.' 'It is an edge,' Torre added. 'A competitive advantage, and you don't surrender that information.' Windhorst stayed put at ESPN, but he wouldn't have been the first NBA reporter or media personality to take a role within an organization. John Hollinger joined the Grizzlies' front office after working at ESPN, and then moved back into the media realm as a writer for The Athletic. Longtime Sports Illustrated profile writer Lee Jenkins took a job as the Clippers' Executive Director of Research and Identity, and now works with the team as Vice President of Basketball Affairs. 3 ESPN's Brian Windhorst before Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty Images Others have been unsuccessful in making similar jumps with Bill Simmons campaigning to be GM of the Timberwolves in 2009. Windhorst, though, has remained firmly on the media side of things, and is now ironically reporting on the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals. 3 Pablo Torre during Thursday's episode of 'Pablo Torre Finds Out.' @pablofindsout/X The Akron, Ohio native kickstarted his career by covering LeBron James in high school, with the two both attending St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, though Windhorst graduated seven years before James. He moved on to become the Cavs beat writer at the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer before joining ESPN in 2010, after LeBron took his talents to South Beach and joined the Heat. 3 Thunder GM Sam Presti during the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. NBAE via Getty Images And the Windhorst tidbit wasn't the only news Torre revealed about Presti on his show. It turns out Presti made a jazz-rap album called 'Milk Money,' which had been wiped off the internet, before becoming an uber-successful basketball executive. A man of many talents, clearly.
USA Today
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
LeBron James disses Brian Windhorst for criticizing 'Mind the Game' podcast
LeBron James disses Brian Windhorst for criticizing 'Mind the Game' podcast And we're not done yet. — Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) June 3, 2025 It seems like LeBron James and ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst have had a falling out of sorts lately. Windhorst had covered James ever since the superstar was in high school, but he has gotten a little too critical for James' liking recently. Windhorst pushed back on James when the latter defended Anthony Edwards for saying Edwards didn't want to be the new face of the NBA. James then had some harsh words for Windhorst during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" in late March. Windhorst also criticized James' "Mind the Game" podcast, which recently returned for a second season with new co-host Steve Nash. The reporter claimed that people wouldn't like a podcast that is focused on the strategic breakdown of basketball, which is what the podcast caters to at a relatively advanced level. James took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to troll Windhorst in a video that includes several positive comments from fans who enjoy the fact that "Mind the Game" is all about the technical breakdown of basketball. Indeed, "Mind the Game" has remained a very popular podcast and has gotten high ratings from users. Unlike other podcasts which focus on news, opinions and what Windhorst called "drama," this one is solely about the Xs and Os and caters to basketball junkies.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raptors rumors: Brian Windhorst hints at possible ‘big fish' trade
The post Raptors rumors: Brian Windhorst hints at possible 'big fish' trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the basketball world coming up with possible trades involving the Toronto Raptors and Giannis Antetokounmpo, some people wonder what the offseason plans are for the team. While the Raptors are headed into a crucial offseason, ESPN's NBA insider Brian Windhorst hinted that it could be an exciting summer for the franchise. Advertisement Led by team president Masai Ujiri, he and the team will look to vastly improve the roster after finishing with a 30-52 record, which put them 11th in the Eastern Conference. Windhorst would say on 'The Hoop Collective' show that the team has begun to 'make noise within the league about looking for a big fish.' 'I don't want to get too far afield from this, but since this has come up, the Raptors are a team that is starting to make noise within the league about looking for a big fish,' Windhorst said. 'If you're an Eastern Conference team that's in the middle of the pack, you're looking at the teams in front of you going, 'Some of them may not be able to come together, may be able to stay together.' 'Boston is hurt, and so there are some teams that sniff the ability to make a move, and I think Toronto is one of those teams,' Windhorst continued. 'And so naturally, any team that wants to make a move this summer, especially a team in the Eastern Conference, you're going to have Giannis on the board.' Raptors could be a part of an 'explosive summer' in the NBA offseason Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images As the Raptors' vision seems unclear at the moment, Windhorst says that he has heard around NBA circles that the team is expected to make their names known around big players that could be available. The biggest name seems to be Antetokounmpo, but he has not officially requested a trade, but even Windhorst said that this offseason could make for an 'explosive summer' with Toronto being one of the teams included in that. Advertisement 'But Toronto, I think, is going to try—from their initial conversations, teams in the league are getting the impression that Toronto is going to try to do something,' Windhorst said. 'I had an executive tell me yesterday that he thinks this could be—could be, could be—an explosive summer. You know, just as Shams [Charania] said the other day, but like, this—you know, this is the whole league.' 'People are saying that this—the amount of activity and calls happening in the league right now is at a much higher volume than has been in years past,' Windhorst continued. 'I know it does not mean it's going to happen, but Toronto is one of those teams that is sitting there on the balls of its feet, which is interesting.' Whomever they try to get, one imagines that the goal is to pair alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, though the latter has experienced an immense amount of bad injury luck.
