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joevardon.bsky.social

@joevardon.bsky.social
7.9K followers 44 following 255 posts

Writes NBA for the The Athletic; spot host, SiriusXM NBA radio, BBC contributor.

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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Kevin Durant to…coach this summer? www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
nytimes.com
NBA Draft 2026 Round 2 live updates: Start time, best available players, pick order, latest news and rumors
The second round of the 2026 NBA Draft will begin at 8 p.m. with the No. 31 pick.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Speaking of Day 2 of the NBA Draft, can you name which current USA Basketball player is the only one on the roster to have been drafted? www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
nytimes.com
NBA Draft 2026 Round 2 live updates: Start time, best available players, pick order, latest news and rumors
The second round of the 2026 NBA Draft will begin at 8 p.m. with the No. 31 pick.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The Spurs are being pelted with eggs, suffering historic meltdowns and facing elimination from the NBA Finals. Victor Wembanyama said they ‘believe’ they’ll win anyway www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...
nytimes.com
Wemby not worried as Spurs face elimination: 'Everybody knows we're going to do it'
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Willis Reed? Larry Johnson? John Starks? Nah, Mike Brown and I are taking OG Anunoby’s putback for the most iconic shot in New York history www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...
nytimes.com
Was OG Anunoby’s Game 4 tip-in game-winner the most iconic shot in Knicks history? (Gift Article)
Knicks coach Mike Brown says Anunoby's tip-in is the greatest shot in team history, and it's hard to find one better.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
For the second time this postseason, the Knicks left an opponent to explain the inexplicable. The Spurs tried, but there are no words to explain away what happened in Game 4 www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...
nytimes.com
Spurs struggle to explain Game 4 collapse: 'We gave this one up. It hurts'
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
President Donald J. Trump, the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game, was roundly booed — during the national anthem — by his fellow New Yorkers. His history with the league is a checkered one, www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
nytimes.com
President Trump draws boos as he attends NBA Finals Game 3 at MSG (Gift Article)
Trump, a native New Yorker, was booed louder than the Spurs ahead of Monday's NBA Finals Game 3.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
First NBA Finals game in 27 years? Two wins from immortality? Trump in the audience, record prices, and canceled watch parties? Wemby? Yeah, not even New York has seen anything quite like what’s coming in Game 3 www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
nytimes.com
NBA Finals, with Trump, Wemby and the red-hot Knicks, are finally back in New York
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Victor Wembanyama took all of Game 2, especially the last 30 seconds, really hard. Here is his reaction, @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama reflects on end of Game 2: ‘I threw that one away. I messed up’ (Gift Article)
The Spurs' star missed two shots and threw a pass that ended up allowing the Knicks to break a 104-104 tie late in Game 2.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
The common denominator in the two longest playoff winning streaks in NBA history? Knicks coach Mike Brown, my video essay for @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/vid...
nytimes.com
How the Knicks leave San Antonio with a 2-0 lead
The Knicks escape San Antonio with a 2-0 lead. Can they break the championship drought at MSG?
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Hang on…the Knicks say country music has something to do with Mitchell Robinson’s defense on Victor Wembanyama? www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
Mitchell Robinson and his coach credit this one surprising thing for his defense on Wemby
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
New tonight: The World Cup still being planned for Qatar next year despite War in Iran. There is precedence for NBA stars to skip an international tournament for security concerns, www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
FIBA still plans to hold 2027 Basketball World Cup in Qatar despite Iran war (Gift Article)
Preparations to hold the 32-team championship, with dozens of NBA stars expected to participate, are “going according to schedule.”
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Adam Silver backs Donald Trump’s Knicks fan credentials, says he’s ‘welcome’ for Game 3 of NBA Finals www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
Adam Silver backs Donald Trump’s Knicks fan credentials, says he’s ‘welcome’ for Game 3 of NBA Finals
The NBA commissioner, a New York City resident, vouched for the president's New York and NBA credentials on Thursday.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Move over ‘ethical basketball,’ Victor Wembanyama is saying after Game 1 the Spurs just need to play ‘normal’ against the Knicks in the Finals www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
Wembanyama shares Popovich's message after Game 1 loss: 'I’ve been bad'
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
From last night: Adam Silver says the Clippers-Kawhi-Aspiration investigation has gone on long enough. www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
Adam Silver on Clippers-Aspiration investigation: ‘We need to wrap this up’ (Gift Article)
Commissioner isn't setting a timeline for an end to the investigation into the Clippers' alleged attempt to circumvent the salary cap.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
The time Rick Brunson saved Mike Brown, and the Knicks’ behinds, by telling everyone to CALM DOWN. www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
Mike Brown thanks assistant Rick Brunson for Game 1 help: ‘He told me to shut the hell up’ (Gift Article)
The Knicks head coach learned some valuable lessons about composure in New York's Game 1 win.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Storm the court. Take a selfie. Banned for life — the tale of co-conspirators kicked out for trying to get Victor Wembanyama to say cheese, www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
Finals court-storming fan gets lifetime ban from every NBA arena (Gift Article)
The fan was arrested after running onto the court late in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Adam Silver says it’s ’time to wrap it up’ as far as the league’s investigation into the Clippers, Aspiration, and whether they cheated to pay Kawhi Leonard outside the salary cap www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
Adam Silver on Clippers-Aspiration investigation: ‘We need to wrap this up’ (Gift Article)
Commissioner isn't setting a timeline for an end to the investigation into the Clippers' alleged attempt to circumvent the salary cap.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Victor Wembanyama, accused of being from outer space, says the Spurs have yet to ‘come back to Earth’ after stunning OKC in Game 7. The Knicks, in the other hand, know exactly where they are right now, www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...
nytimes.com
Spurs still need to 'come down to Earth' after emotional Game 7 win
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Curtis Blair made his first NBA Finals rotation as a referee. Earlier during the playoffs, I wrote about his younger days, and his college teammate you also may have heard of www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...
nytimes.com
An NBA coach and referee were once college teammates. But in the playoffs, it's 'professional'
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Mobley for Giannis? Cavs’ Koby Altman dumped a Lake Erie-sized bucket on that one, heaping praise on Evan and declaring a future for him in Cleveland www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...
nytimes.com
Evan Mobley for Giannis? Trade sounds unlikely as Cavs seem poised to bring back stars (Gift Article)
A Mobley for Giannis trade is a popular rumor among NBA fans, but Cavs president Koby Altman said the team is lucky to have Mobley.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
When the Cavaliers tell you how much better they are with James Harden, it means they believe they couldn’t win with Darius Garland. What about the rest of the original core four? And the coach? We’re about to find out www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...
nytimes.com
Cavaliers’ collapse changes everything: Is Cleveland’s core already finished? (Gift Article)
Cleveland has decisions to make, from an extension for Donovan Mitchell to the futures of James Harden, Kenny Atkinson and Koby Altman.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
It’s almost hand-wringing season in Cleveland. Before we do that, let’s pause to remember the Knicks were in the ECF last year, failed, and learned from it. Are they better than the Cavs now? Yes, but it’s not necessarily permanent www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...
nytimes.com
Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell: 'I don't feel we're overmatched,' even down 3-0
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Amidst the misery and greatness, sadness and euphoria, the Cavs insist ‘our process is right’ after two MSG letdowns. That’s…one way to put it, www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...
nytimes.com
Cavaliers insist ‘our process was right’ amid errors, losses in East finals (Gift Article)
Cleveland's "process" has led to eight wins against eight defeats, with some especially bad stretches on the road.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are headed back to Paris, but also Manchester, where the NBA now has a significant business interest, www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...
nytimes.com
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs to play in Paris and Manchester vs. Pelicans next season (Gift Article)
For the second time in his young career, Victor Wembanyama, born in Paris, will play two games with the Spurs in Europe next January.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Worst loss in Cavs’ history? We won’t know until the ECF is over if it’s hyperbole or probable. But this loss to the Knicks was not OK www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...
nytimes.com
Worst loss in Cavaliers history? If they lose this series to the Knicks, yes
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Yes, Dan Gilbert really rented a fleet of buses, put 1,400 Clevelanders on them and sent them to Detroit for Game 7. But that’s only a part of this story of belief the city’s only living championship owner has in his team, the Cavs www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...
nytimes.com
Dan Gilbert did more than bus 1,400 Cavs fans to Detroit: He offered ‘sage advice’ (Gift Article)
Cleveland's owner had everyone's backs heading into the Cavs' Game 7 blowout win, from the fans, to the players, to the coaching staff.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Ausar Thompson put his hand around Sam Merrill’s neck as he slammed him to the ground and then stepped over him. So why wasn’t Thompson ejected from Game 6? Lead official Zach Zarba explains here www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...
nytimes.com
Why Ausar Thompson wasn't ejected from Game 6 for slamming Sam Merrill to floor
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
F*** James Harden? Max Strus is Deebo? Stomach bugs? Tales from the brink of the Eastern Conference finals, www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...
nytimes.com
Cavs tales from the edge of the East finals: Harden haters and Strus as Zeus
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
An NBA coach and referee were college teammates nearly 40 years ago. Now they’re working the same playoffs. Unusual but not unprecedented, the best part about the link between Kenny Atkinson and Curtis Blair is how it was ‘forged by fire.’ www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...
nytimes.com
An NBA coach and referee were once college teammates. But in the playoffs, it's 'professional'
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
James Harden is the easy mark for critics in this Cavs-Pistons series. But what the ultimate outcome means for the past, present, and future isn’t really about him, now, is it? The drama of this series was years in the making, www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...
nytimes.com
Cavs-Pistons isn’t about James Harden — here’s why we’ve been looking at it wrong (Gift Article)
Mitchell said he watched Harden bring it home instead of demanding the ball because “he’s James Harden, right?”
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Donovan Mitchell and Jaylen Brown are close friends, so of course the Cavs’s star noticed the NBA’s $50K fine against his pal. Mitchell also said he may ‘have to flop’ to get more calls against Detroit www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...
nytimes.com
A frustrated Donovan Mitchell only had 2 free throws in Game 1 loss. ‘I don’t flop’ (Gift Article)
Mitchell pointed out that the free-throw disparity was not why the Cavs lost to the Pistons. But it sure didn't help.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Imagine your favorite NBA player gone from the U.S. for a season, playing on loan in Europe. THAT is among the asks of the giant soccer clubs working with Adam Silver on NBA Europe — proper transfer windows www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...
nytimes.com
NBA and soccer giants debate player transfers, license fees for Europe expansion league
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
The NBA Eastern Conference playoffs have made almost no sense so far — and that’s the fun of it www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...
nytimes.com
The NBA’s Eastern Conference playoffs make no sense — and that’s the fun of it (Gift Article)
A long and dramatic first round in the East finally ended with a pair of Sunday Game 7s, and our expectations are turned upside down.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Joel Embiid turning into ‘Olajuwon’ may have turned the East on its ear, but the entire field faced major questions before getting to this point. The Cavs, frustrating as they’ve been, could be in the Eastern finals in two weeks www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...
nytimes.com
Cavs' and Pistons' survival, Joel Embiid, 3-1 comebacks turned East on its ear
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
A lucky bounce or a bad one. Basketball gods ripping Molsons and crossing the U.S. border. Stars not needing to score 30 in a big game and coaches burning through challenges? Oh boy. This is how the Cavs got a Game 7. Can they survive it? www.nytimes.com/athletic/724...
nytimes.com
The Cavaliers had no business losing Game 6. Now comes a nerve-wracking Game 7 (Gift Article)
The shot that won Game 6 for the Raptors may have been lucky. But the Cavs have nobody but themselves to blame for even being in this spot.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
The Raptors have proven to be a real test. Don’t hate the Cavs for struggling in this series. Instead, consider these five ways they can close it out in Game 6 www.nytimes.com/athletic/724...
nytimes.com
Five keys for the Cavaliers to close out the Raptors after winning Game 5 (Gift Article)
Limiting turnovers, getting contributions from role players and Donovan Mitchell returning to form would help the Cavs advance to Round 2.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
The Raptors seemed to bother Cleveland with the same scheme in Games 3 and 4. Did the Cavs adjust? ‘We did…we just didn’t make s***.’ They better start, because now it’s 2-2 www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...
nytimes.com
Cavs say they ‘couldn’t hit s—‘ in Game 4 loss. Are they missing the bigger picture? (Gift Article)
The Raptors made 4 of their 30 3-pointers, but they still won. How?
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
After the Raptors set an NBA record for futility in playoff victory, they took a puff of their cigarette and said ‘you should see the other guy.’ www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...
nytimes.com
Cavs say they ‘couldn’t hit s—‘ in Game 4 loss. Are they missing the bigger picture? (Gift Article)
The Raptors made 4 of their 30 3-pointers, but they still won. How?
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Playing with ‘more force’ doesn’t really mean anything. But what James Harden says after the Cavs’ worst game with him on the floor matters. ‘We will respond’ www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...
nytimes.com
Cavs unravel in Game 3, but there’s little reason to panic: 'We will respond'
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Yes, the Cavs’ stars are balling out on Toronto. But Cleveland is ahead 2-0 in this series in no small part because of what Dean Wade is doing to Brandon Ingram. He’s finally found his place, www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
nytimes.com
Dean Wade is making life miserable for Brandon Ingram in Cavs-Raptors series (Gift Article)
"He's doing everything," Donovan Mitchell said of Wade, the co-anchor of Cleveland's defense in this first-round series.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
The Cavs seemed to have little trouble with Toronto in Game 1, but they nearly had a big problem with Tony Brothers. Here is how the coach and star player took risks to diffuse a potentially dangerous situation www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
nytimes.com
How Cavaliers avoided a Game 1 ejection scare with help from their coach, star (Gift Article)
The Cavs' Max Strus and referee Tony Brothers were getting under each other's skin. Then Donovan Mitchell intervened.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
In Game 1, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson AND star Donovan Mitchell put their hands on Tony Brothers, to save Max Strus. It worked. Inside the unusual interactions to diffuse a volatile situation www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
nytimes.com
Kenny Atkinson, Donovan Mitchell played peacemakers to keep Max Strus in Game 1
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
The NBA’s tumultuous, loser-centric season is over. Perhaps the conversation will turn back to winning, now at the postseason is here www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...
nytimes.com
NBA final-day roundup: Nuggets, Raptors take charge as tumultuous regular season ends (Gift Article)
The NBA's regular season is ending as playoff seeding, awards eligibility and more come into focus.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
For the, well, I don’t know how many years in a row, I’m with you on the final day of the NBA regular season. Here is a look at what’s at stake for every team today www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...
nytimes.com
What every NBA team is playing for on the last day of the regular season (Gift Article)
There's plenty at stake Sunday night, including playoff seeding, Play-In Tournament status and draft lottery odds.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
James Harden, with his famous, protruding beard and those dark, piercing eyes, was determined to use his star power to get his way, to bring with him a slice of comfort to a new city. What did he ask of the Cavs, and did they agree? www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...
nytimes.com
How James Harden has made the Cavaliers a ‘better team,’ on and off the court (Gift Article)
The Cavs are 18-6 when James Harden plays, forming a backcourt duo with Donovan Mitchell that a rival coach called "nightmare fuel."
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
James Harden made one request of the Cavs upon joining Cleveland. It gave the organization great pause before granting him what he wanted. Can you guess what it was? www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...
nytimes.com
How James Harden has made the Cavaliers a ‘better team,’ on and off the court (Gift Article)
The Cavs are 18-6 when James Harden plays, forming a backcourt duo with Donovan Mitchell that a rival coach called "nightmare fuel."
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers’ secret to success is gourmet meals, stir-fry, and ice cream. ‘We are elite.’ www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...
nytimes.com
How the Cavaliers rely on meals to retain superstars, build team bonds
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Why did Donovan Mitchell choose to make the Cleveland Cavs his long-term home? Would you believe it’s…the food? www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...
nytimes.com
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers’ secret to success is gourmet meals, stir-fry, and ice cream (Gift Article)
Rather than meals at expensive restaurants that require extensive planning, Cavaliers players prefer team dinners at their hotels.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
On paper, the NBA saw the numbers it wanted for Adam Silver’s European league: $1 billion, a couple times. But how real the bids were, from whom, and is a EuroLeague merger more viable are the next steps for NBA Europe www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...
nytimes.com
NBA Europe draws host of bids, including $1 billion offers: Sources (Gift Article)
Potential investors include existing European clubs, which could have major implications for the future of the continent’s top competition.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
The NBA lottery is going to get a lot bigger, and penalties for tanking are going to be much harsher. The only question between now and May is, how much? With @mikevorkunov.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...
nytimes.com
NBA considering harsher tanking penalties, draft lottery expansion: Sources
"You have to have something in place that is so drastic, a team would actually think twice about tanking," one source told The Athletic.
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