Hoops Rumors

The Thunder have been praised for their defensive prowess and depth but the Pacers have those same attributes, The Athletic’s Eric Nehm and Shakeia Taylor note. Throughout the playoffs, the Pacers have been using what they call the “wear-down effect,” in which they use their depth and speed to carry out their defensive coverages and apply full-court pressure. That leads to key … [Read more...] about Pacers Notes: Defense, Haliburton, Carlisle, Boucek

A native of Norman, Oklahoma who played his college ball for the Sooners, Trae Young has some affinity for the local NBA team. However, while the Hawks guard will be rooting for the Thunder in the NBA Finals, he tells Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that seeing Oklahoma City make a serious run at a title really just makes him more determined to take his own … [Read more...] about Southeast Notes: Young, Hornets, Magic, K. Johnson

Team personnel around the NBA who have spoken recently to Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required) are expressing less confidence that Giannis Antetokounmpo will ask the Bucks to trade him this summer. “He’s not that guy (to cause trouble),” one source told Lewis. “He’s going to complain, but he isn’t going to actually burn it to the ground and be the bad guy to … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Giannis, Nets, Raptors, Spoelstra, Pistons, Magic