Jaylen Brown

Brian Lewis of the New York Post tweeted:

Asked #Nets owner Joe Tsai if Kyrie Irving would be back on this road trip: "He still has work to do."

Jaylen Brown quote-tweeted with:

This response is alarming for multiple reasons

I'd rather Brown elaborate than I speculate on his concerns. Brown already expressed misgivings about Irving's punishment. I've got no issue with the players' union, of which Brown is a vice president, advocated on behalf of its members. Heck, I'm unsure whether Irving should be suspended now.

But I do like that Irving's punishment is tailored to making amends for his mistake. It is already well-established Brooklyn is requiring Irving to fulfill a handful of tasks before returning. If Irving hasn't completed those tasks, what's so alarming about Tsai noting Irving is still working through that process?

In his full article, Lewis relayed another Tsai quote I find more concerning: "He has to show people that he’s sorry. What’s important — and what people miss — is he only apologized after he was suspended.” Irving apologized. He did. The Nets are reportedly requiring Irving to apologize orally when meeting with the media then post the apology to his social media. Maybe those extra steps – which haven't yet happened – are important. I certainly think Irving has more to explain. But Irving did apologize. I don't love the habit of nitpicking apologies. If Irving's apologies can't be believed after he has been suspended, he'll never have an opportunity to demonstrate contrition. You shouldn't demand Irving apologize then get upset he apologizes only after you demand it.

Kyrie Irving

Rizza Islam posted a picture with Kyrie Irving on Saturday. Islam is notable for posting numerous anti-Semitic and other hateful things, including themes similar to those in the film Irving amplified. Two big key points: It's unclear when the photo was taken, and Islam – not Irving – posted it. But if this is the counsel Irving is seeking during his suspension… oy.

For his part, Irving tweeted a loving message:

I was not put here on earth to participate in any religious/political wars or incite racial disharmony/prejudice within communities. We are all equal under the sun and I am here to participate in the building of an Equal world and follow the Word from the Most High/GOD/YAH.

Draymond Green

Draymond Green insinuated Boston fans called him the n-word during the NBA Finals. Green, via Complex:

"I was rattled.

"You've heard boos, and I mean, I've heard people screaming and yelling at me everywhere I go. But I've never heard an entire gym, every time I touched the ball – or I don't have the ball – entire gym, 'Fuck you, Draymond.' I thought that was cool, actually. That didn't rattle me. But when I'm running down the court, and it's 'bitch,' it's the n-word, it's these things – those are insults at my character. Those are insults to me as a man. And so you're in this place where it's like, I really want to grab one of these people and wring their neck.' But I'm going to lose that battle. I've cost my team a championship before. I'm going to lose that battle."

Did Celtics fans actually call him the n-word or just 'bitch,' with Green getting carried away in describing the type of insults that'd affect him so deeply? Neither would shock me, though I would have some questions about a fan yelling the n-word loud enough to be heard by a player on the court during an NBA Finals game without it causing uproar by people surrounding the fan.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz surprisingly rank fourth in the NBA in points per possession. With solid or better 3-point shooters throughout the rotation, Utah excellently spaces the floor by going four- or five-out. Half Court Hoops has a fantastic video showing what the Jazz do with that space, detailing all the screens, cuts and passes favored in Will Hardy's scheme. My favorite action comes at the 5:01 mark. When teams run pick-and-rolls on the empty side of the floor, the other three offensive players often just clear out and stand around on the other side of the floor. In Utah, there's real thought behind what those other players are doing.

Atlanta Hawks

Interesting finding by Ian Levy of FanSided: The Hawks pass less than anyone in at least the last 10 years. Atlanta's offense is middling, which obviously isn't bad, but the Hawks have rated better in points per possession the previous couple years. This style of play helps limit turnovers, but it also means fewer great shots and probably limits Atlanta's upside.

Zion Williamson

For a bit, everyone was just happy to have Zion Williamson back after he missed last season. Williamson is again starring, nearly picking up where he left off. But that also raises expectations, and Williamson isn't getting a free pass. Williamson's deficient defense is a micro and macro problem for the Pelicans, William Guillory of The Athletic explores.

James Wiseman

Nekias Duncan of BasketballNews.com makes the case for the Warriors trading James Wiseman. I was already convinced. I'm a big believer championship contenders should prioritize the present. It's so hard to reach that level, teams should maximize their title odds once there. But Duncan really digs deep into all the ways the 21-year-old Wiseman is incapable of helping Golden State right now.

Ime Udoka

NBA commissioner Adam Silver created friction for the Nets hiring Ime Udoka, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports. That's sufficiently vague and attributed only to "credible rumblings around the league." But something went amiss in Brooklyn's plan to hire the suspended Celtics coach. Did the league threaten to suspend Udoka – whose suspension in Boston is from the team – if the Nets hired him?

Brook Lopez

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Bucks' best player. Brook Lopez might most define the Bucks' style of play. The center is integral to Milwaukee's spacing with his 3-point shooting and interior defense with his paint protection. It's no coincidence the Bucks' ascension to the NBA's elite coincided with Lopez's arrival in 2018. But after Lopez made 37% of his 10 3-point attempts per 100 possessions, his volume and accuracy beyond the arc dipped the last few seasons. Well, this season, Lopez is launching his most 3s (10 per 100 possessions) and making them at his best clip (36%) since that first year with the Bucks. Eric Nehm of The Athletic wrote about how Lopez got his shot back on track.

Jane Gross

I'm not sure media should be in locker rooms. As important as I believe media access to be, reporters being where athletes change clothes strikes me as an outdated practice from a time the press was all men and not everyone had cameras in their pockets. But if media belong in locker rooms, female reporters belong in locker rooms. Facing unfair limitations and taking way too much grief even after she broke through, Jane Gross toppled that barrier in professional basketball. Richard Sandomir of The New York Times eulogizes Gross.

-Dan Feldman