Western Conference – Hoops Habit https://hoopshabit.com NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:11:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.3 Surprising Austin Reaves contract detail confirms Lakers got him for a steal https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/23/reaves-contract-details-lakers/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/23/reaves-contract-details-lakers/#respond Wed, 23 Aug 2023 19:00:42 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=458241 Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves broke out in the NBA playoffs last season, leading to expectations that he would receive a big offer this summer. That, surprisingly, didn’t happen, and the Lakers were able to re-sign him to a perfectly reasonable four-year, $54 million deal. The Lakers certainly aren’t upset about how things played […]

Surprising Austin Reaves contract detail confirms Lakers got him for a steal - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/23/reaves-contract-details-lakers/feed/ 0 3 Steps for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to enter the MVP race next season https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/19/3-steps-shai-gilgeous-alexander-mvp/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/19/3-steps-shai-gilgeous-alexander-mvp/#respond Sat, 19 Aug 2023 13:00:21 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=458136 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had quite the breakout season in 2022-23, and so did his team. The Oklahoma City Thunder have not made the playoffs since the 2019-20 season, but they are still far ahead of schedule with their rebuild. With an average age of 23.14 years, the Thunder were the youngest team in the league last […]

3 Steps for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to enter the MVP race next season - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/19/3-steps-shai-gilgeous-alexander-mvp/feed/ 0 3 NBA superstars with legacies on the line heading into 2023–24 https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/15/3-nba-players-legacies-line-season/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/15/3-nba-players-legacies-line-season/#respond Tue, 15 Aug 2023 19:00:51 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=458035 We’ve officially reached the point in the NBA offseason where all we can do is speculate about what the upcoming season will have in store. Most teams have a basic blueprint for their rosters, and even those who may still attempt to make a move surely have an idea of what the on-court product could […]

3 NBA superstars with legacies on the line heading into 2023–24 - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/15/3-nba-players-legacies-line-season/feed/ 0 This overlooked skill proves that Nikola Jokic is underrated defensively https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/14/overlooked-skill-jokic-underrated/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/14/overlooked-skill-jokic-underrated/#respond Mon, 14 Aug 2023 19:00:49 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=458040 Following the Denver Nuggets’ 2023 NBA championship, Nikola Jokic is now widely regarded as the best player in the league, deservedly so. For years he has been considered one of the best passers, playmakers, and overall offensive players in the league. Jokic is also the best post player in the NBA, but the one area […]

This overlooked skill proves that Nikola Jokic is underrated defensively - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/14/overlooked-skill-jokic-underrated/feed/ 0 Grade the Trade: Warriors become title-favs in proposed deal with Raptors https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/13/grade-trade-warriors-deal-raptors/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/13/grade-trade-warriors-deal-raptors/#respond Sun, 13 Aug 2023 16:00:10 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=458019 After an inconsistent 2022–23 season for the Golden State Warriors, there were expectations that the team would look to shake things up this summer. They did make a splashy move to acquire Chris Paul, but that trade was poorly received, and aside from bringing back Draymond Green, they weren’t able to do much to improve […]

Grade the Trade: Warriors become title-favs in proposed deal with Raptors - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/13/grade-trade-warriors-deal-raptors/feed/ 0 NBA Trades: Memphis bolsters their roster in this deal with Toronto https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/10/nba-trades-memphis-toronto-deal-pass/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/10/nba-trades-memphis-toronto-deal-pass/#respond Thu, 10 Aug 2023 16:00:57 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457965 Despite making a big offseason trade to try and bolster their roster, the Memphis Grizzlies will start next season shorthanded. Star Ja Morant has been suspended for the team’s first 25 games, which could hurt the Grizzlies in a deep Western Conference. While new addition Marcus Smart will help in Morant’s absence, the Grizzlies could […]

NBA Trades: Memphis bolsters their roster in this deal with Toronto - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/10/nba-trades-memphis-toronto-deal-pass/feed/ 0 NBA Trades: This Mavs-Nets deal may lead to Dallas adding a third star https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/05/nba-trades-mavs-wildcard-trade-nets/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/05/nba-trades-mavs-wildcard-trade-nets/#respond Sat, 05 Aug 2023 12:00:53 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457865 After failing to make the NBA playoffs or the play in tournament last season, the Dallas Mavericks entered the off-season with a lot to prove. They had to dramatically improve their roster in order to keep their superstar Luka Doncic happy, and thus far they’ve done a great job. Still, it appears that they are […]

NBA Trades: This Mavs-Nets deal may lead to Dallas adding a third star - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/05/nba-trades-mavs-wildcard-trade-nets/feed/ 0 Instant Grades for the Lakers’ unprecedented Anthony Davis extension https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/04/lakers-anthony-davis-extension/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/04/lakers-anthony-davis-extension/#respond Fri, 04 Aug 2023 22:00:23 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457872 Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis had a career 2022–23 season and will be expected to play an increasingly bigger role next season. After all, Lakers superstar LeBron James will turn 39 during the 2023–24 season and already showed signs of slowing down during the playoffs. With a lot riding on Davis, the Lakers […]

Instant Grades for the Lakers’ unprecedented Anthony Davis extension - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/04/lakers-anthony-davis-extension/feed/ 0 5 NBA players everyone should be keeping a close eye on in 2023-24 https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/04/5-nba-players-everyone-watch/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/04/5-nba-players-everyone-watch/#respond Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:00:18 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457784 The 2023-24 NBA season is fewer than 100 days away and there are hundreds of reasons to tune in when the season commences. Five of those reasons are a smattering of players that demand attention. There are any number of reasons to keep an eye on a certain player. Maybe it’s time they blow up, […]

5 NBA players everyone should be keeping a close eye on in 2023-24 - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/04/5-nba-players-everyone-watch/feed/ 0 NBA Trades: This Mavericks-Pelicans swap would boost Dallas’ frontline https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/03/nba-trades-mavericks-pelicans-swap/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/03/nba-trades-mavericks-pelicans-swap/#respond Thu, 03 Aug 2023 16:00:37 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457818 After having one of the best free agency periods of any team in the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks are looking to make one more move to cap an impressive offseason. The Mavericks have been looking to revamp their center rotation and have made some moves to do so. This includes drafting Derek Lively II, trading […]

NBA Trades: This Mavericks-Pelicans swap would boost Dallas’ frontline - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/03/nba-trades-mavericks-pelicans-swap/feed/ 0 Ranking the 4 riskiest boom-or-bust NBA teams in 2023–24 https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/02/ranking-4-riskiest-nba-teams/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/02/ranking-4-riskiest-nba-teams/#respond Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:00:42 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457753 Ultimately, all NBA teams have the same goal, which is to win a championship. While this is a far more realistic goal for some teams than for others, every team has made moves to improve or reshape its roster. They picked players in the draft, signed free agents, and traded for who they believed to […]

Ranking the 4 riskiest boom-or-bust NBA teams in 2023–24 - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/02/ranking-4-riskiest-nba-teams/feed/ 0 Report: Lakers have big plans for recent top-10 pick amid roster shakeup https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/01/report-lakers-big-plans/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/01/report-lakers-big-plans/#respond Tue, 01 Aug 2023 16:00:36 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457795 The Los Angeles Lakers have had a successful offseason thus far, though there have been some questions about their frontcourt. Aside from Anthony Davis, the team is surprisingly thin at center with just Jaxon Hayes, the 8th pick in the 2019 NBA draft being the only other big man on the roster. Hayes failed to […]

Report: Lakers have big plans for recent top-10 pick amid roster shakeup - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/08/01/report-lakers-big-plans/feed/ 0 Why the loss of impact players won’t damage Denver’s repeat title hopes https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/31/impact-players-wont-damage-denver/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/31/impact-players-wont-damage-denver/#respond Mon, 31 Jul 2023 19:50:26 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457765 It’s been nearly two months since Mike Malone and the Denver Nuggets won their first NBA Championship in franchise history. A 4-1 conquering of the Miami Heat gave the franchise their much-needed ammunition to silence a disrespectful national perspective generated by several national sports analysts (Nick Wright of FS1 and many folks at ESPN) blatantly […]

Why the loss of impact players won’t damage Denver’s repeat title hopes - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/31/impact-players-wont-damage-denver/feed/ 0 NBA Rumors: Stalled trade talks may lead to Blazers, 76ers keeping stars https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/31/nba-rumors-stalled-trade-blazers-76ers/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/31/nba-rumors-stalled-trade-blazers-76ers/#respond Mon, 31 Jul 2023 12:00:31 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457746 We’re less than a month into NBA free agency, and we’ve already seen not one, but two NBA stars demand a trade. The Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard and the Philadelphia 76ers’ James Harden have each requested to be traded to the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively. Thus far, neither trade has materialized, […]

NBA Rumors: Stalled trade talks may lead to Blazers, 76ers keeping stars - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/31/nba-rumors-stalled-trade-blazers-76ers/feed/ 0 5 NBA teams on the rise that will surprise everyone in 2023-24 https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/30/5-nba-teams-rise-surprise2023-24/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/30/5-nba-teams-rise-surprise2023-24/#respond Sun, 30 Jul 2023 13:00:22 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457682 The Denver Nuggets only won their first NBA title a month ago, but most fans have already moved on to the 2023-24 season. The Nuggets may not have been the favorite to win it all last season, but they’ve been building towards top contender status in the association for several years and had the reigning […]

5 NBA teams on the rise that will surprise everyone in 2023-24 - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/30/5-nba-teams-rise-surprise2023-24/feed/ 0 The NBA’s strong message to Lillard clears path for a major trade https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/29/nba-strong-message-lillard-trade/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/29/nba-strong-message-lillard-trade/#respond Sat, 29 Jul 2023 14:15:16 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457696 Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard‘s trade request has caused free agency to grind to a halt. After requesting to be traded to the Miami Heat and having his agent Aaron Goodwin tell other NBA teams not to try to acquire him, the Blazers have attempted to extract more assets from Miami. Thus far, Miami […]

The NBA’s strong message to Lillard clears path for a major trade - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/29/nba-strong-message-lillard-trade/feed/ 0 NBA Trades: Is this the deal that finally sends Damian Lillard to Miami? https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/27/nba-trades-deal-sends-lillard-miami/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/27/nba-trades-deal-sends-lillard-miami/#respond Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:00:49 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457672 Several weeks have passed since Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard requested to be traded to the Miami Heat. Since then, little appears to have changed. Dame and the Heat still want one another, while the Blazers have made it clear that they want top dollar for their star. Although there have been rumors that there […]

NBA Trades: Is this the deal that finally sends Damian Lillard to Miami? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/27/nba-trades-deal-sends-lillard-miami/feed/ 0 New detail about title-costing mistake reopens old wounds for Warriors https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/26/new-detail-costing-mistake-warriors/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/26/new-detail-costing-mistake-warriors/#respond Wed, 26 Jul 2023 17:45:26 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457670 The 2016 NBA Finals rank as one of the most dramatic ever, with the juggernaut Golden State Warriors being upset in Game 7 by the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is still a sore spot among the Warriors and their fans, but former Cavalier Channing Frye’s comments about a pivotal moment in the series are sure to […]

New detail about title-costing mistake reopens old wounds for Warriors - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/26/new-detail-costing-mistake-warriors/feed/ 0 5 NBA players facing do-or-die 2023–2024 seasons https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/25/5-nba-players-facing-2023-2024-seasons/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/25/5-nba-players-facing-2023-2024-seasons/#respond Tue, 25 Jul 2023 13:00:50 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457491 Any season can be a do-or-die one for an NBA player – an opportunity to elevate to the next level or a time when the bottom finally falls out. It’s just a question of whether or not one can anticipate it. We’ve already taken a look at the teams that are facing do-or-die years in […]

5 NBA players facing do-or-die 2023–2024 seasons - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/25/5-nba-players-facing-2023-2024-seasons/feed/ 0 NBA legend mocked for questionable Victor Wembanyama hot take https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/22/nba-legend-mocked-victor-wembanyama/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/22/nba-legend-mocked-victor-wembanyama/#respond Sat, 22 Jul 2023 17:16:39 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457629 It’s become commonplace now for former NBA players to get in front of a microphone or a camera and say wild things about today’s NBA and current players. This time it was Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway who raised eyebrows by criticizing the San Antonio Spurs number one overall pick, Victor Wembanyama.  Hardaway recently compared […]

NBA legend mocked for questionable Victor Wembanyama hot take - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/22/nba-legend-mocked-victor-wembanyama/feed/ 0 Has Denver’s risky offseason hurt their repeat title hopes? https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/21/nuggets-risky-offseason-approach/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/21/nuggets-risky-offseason-approach/#respond Fri, 21 Jul 2023 18:00:22 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457607 Coming off of a triumphant championship that was an emblematic display of perseverance and homegrown team building, the Denver Nuggets had no option but to “run it back” with their winning team. Their starting lineup has all been together for at least 3 seasons, with the 2022 off-season acquisition Kentavious Caldwell-Pope being the exception, but […]

Has Denver’s risky offseason hurt their repeat title hopes? - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/21/nuggets-risky-offseason-approach/feed/ 0 NBA Trades: This Hawks-Mavericks deal is a winner for both teams https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/19/nba-trades-hawks-mavericks-deal-winner/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/19/nba-trades-hawks-mavericks-deal-winner/#respond Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:00:31 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457520 It has been nearly a month since NBA free agency started, and there have been several clear winners and losers. The Dallas Mavericks certainly qualify as the former after making several shrewd moves to improve the roster. They aren’t done, however, and have been shopping starting center, JaVale McGee. On the other hand, the Atlanta […]

NBA Trades: This Hawks-Mavericks deal is a winner for both teams - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/19/nba-trades-hawks-mavericks-deal-winner/feed/ 0 NBA Trades: This Pelicans-Raptors deal would send a star to the Big Easy https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/17/nba-trades-pelicans-raptors-trade/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/17/nba-trades-pelicans-raptors-trade/#respond Mon, 17 Jul 2023 12:00:08 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457479 With the Toronto Raptors seemingly shopping NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam, it appears likely that he will soon be traded, and there appear to be two frontrunners. The Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers are currently the favorites to land Siakam, and each team can offer the Raptors a solid haul in return for their best player. However, […]

NBA Trades: This Pelicans-Raptors deal would send a star to the Big Easy - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/17/nba-trades-pelicans-raptors-trade/feed/ 0 7 Harsh realities of the Golden State Warriors offseason https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/15/7-harsh-truths-warriors-offseason/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/15/7-harsh-truths-warriors-offseason/#respond Sat, 15 Jul 2023 16:00:20 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457424 The Golden State Warriors will soon look to bounce back from an uneven 2022–23 season. While the then-defending champions did manage to make the second round, they never seemed fully capable of making it back to the NBA Finals. With an offseason to reload, the Warriors needed to get better to keep pace in a […]

7 Harsh realities of the Golden State Warriors offseason - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/15/7-harsh-truths-warriors-offseason/feed/ 0 5 players who will challenge Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/15/5-players-challenge-wembanyama/ https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/15/5-players-challenge-wembanyama/#respond Sat, 15 Jul 2023 13:00:40 +0000 https://hoopshabit.com/?p=457343 For many, it’s a foregone conclusion that San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will win Rookie of the Year for the 2023-24 season. The Frenchman is the most hyped prospect to enter the NBA in years, after all. Imagine a world where Wembanyama doesn’t take the top prize for basketball newbies, though. It’s not out […]

5 players who will challenge Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year - Hoops Habit - Hoops Habit - NBA News, Rumors, Analysis, Opinion and Stats

]]> https://hoopshabit.com/2023/07/15/5-players-challenge-wembanyama/feed/ 0