Sign in

Tom Ziller

@teamziller.bsky.social
18K followers 364 following 1.1K posts

I write a daily NBA newsletter. teamziller.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 9m
San Francisco Music Box Company. Was during community college -> university gap year and my third concurrent job. Hired to organize and manage inventory through holiday season. I organized inventory in two 4-hour shifts and was told no more shipments were coming in. Bye.
020
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 5h
One of my three upcoming Big Ass Preseason Newsletters: one question applied to the 20 games of each of the 30 NBA teams that will help explain their potential, their future, their realities: www.teamziller.com/early-season...
teamziller.com
Early season questions for every NBA team
We tour through the entire league to ask a single game that could be important to their fate in the first 20 games of the season.
001
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 5h
me when someone points out i'm one seat off at the movie theater
0100
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Time for my annual(-ish) preseason MVP longlist. Sixteen names this year, led by a guy who will absolutely openly campaign for it www.teamziller.com/victor-wemba...
teamziller.com
It's Victor Wembanyama vs. Time (Among Others) for the NBA MVP
The biggest limiting factor in Big Vic's attempt to bring an MVP to San Antonio is his minutes load. The other contenders are big issues, too, though. Here's our preseason MVP longlist.
071
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
It's Free Newsletter Wednesday, and we have a case for Erik Spoelstra as Coach of the Year before a single second is played. Right historic wrongs! Give one of the best coaches of his generation a trophy! Plus: there's a preseason COY longlist that includes names like Rajakovic, Carlisle, Redick.
teamziller.com
The early case for Erik Spoelstra winning Coach of the Year
He won a couple championships as head coach, but Coach of the Year has eluded him. Will there be a case this year? Yes, if we make one.
060
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
It's OK, don't worry: no one has ever done anything as cool as that in their life, except Phil
020
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Re: access to your local team's non-national games.
070
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
You can get this bill (legally) down to ~$320 if you commit to visiting someone with cable or YTTV on Christmas and forsake ESPN games until the conference finals. Unfortunately, ESPN is not taking a long hiatus between opening week and Christmas unlike last season.
150
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
I ran the updated numbers on what it costs America-based fans to watch all of the NBA basketball (non-local team division). It's $556 this season, up from $549 a year ago. But your local team is what could make it way worse www.teamziller.com/nba-streamin...
teamziller.com
Watching the NBA won't be much more expensive this season
Most of the packages American fans will need remained static. It's expensive, but not much more expensive.
4134
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
For me: nihilism.
010
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Wrote about Dolan vs. KAT and where relationships guy Leon Rose is in all of it. www.teamziller.com/karl-anthony...
teamziller.com
How to lose championship vibes in 4 months
Starring James "J.D." "Jimmy" Dolan and Karl-Anthony Towns.
180
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Teenager and I went to see it. I hope studios keep making movies like that. Maybe like 10% less [REDACTED FOR SPOILERS].
2120
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
it is the only way
020
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Sac State is now 0-3 in the MAC with a -68 point differential. Their three conference opponents all finished in the bottom four in the MAC last season with a combined record of 5-19. This was the "easy" part of their debut conference schedule.
290
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Good news: Sacramento State had a lead in a MAC game! Bad news: they still lost by four touchdowns to Bowling Green, who went 2-6 in conference last season.
190
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I too have an idea about what Mitch Johnson should do with the Spurs' starting five. www.teamziller.com/spurs-dylan-...
teamziller.com
A galaxy brain idea for the Spurs' starting five dilemma
Dylan Harper was set to start with Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox before the vet became a late scratch. What's the best path, and what's the path Mitch Johnson can actually take?
071
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Newsletter No. 1,700 is about ... the Celtics, who keep winning without hard resets and are putting together a near-legendary string of success (again) www.teamziller.com/celtics-winn...
teamziller.com
The miracle of the Celtics
Boston continues to win tons of games and tons of playoff series despite a changing cast, lots of disruptions and plenty of opportunity for hard resets. Here's to consistent excellence that doesn't al...
1101
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Nothing but respect for MY Digger
0102
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
(1,200 words per issue might be low. I'm far more likely to go 2K+ than <800, especially during the, like, 9-month season.)
130
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
That's newsletter edition Number 1,699 since I went independent at the very end of 2019. At an average length of 1,200 words per newsletter, that's an estimated 2 million or so words over 6 yrs 9 mos. The Old Testament is *only* 600,000 words! Sheesh.
160
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
It's Free Newsletter Wednesday. I wrote about Jokic's loyalty impacting his legacy and made an insane artwork choice www.teamziller.com/nikola-jokic...
teamziller.com
Nikola Jokic's loyalty doesn't have to be a curse
The Joker verbally recommitted to the Nuggets last week, saying he'll re-sign next summer. That allows Denver to operate without fear but also takes his leverage off the table, which may result in tha...
3102
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Watching for the signs of the play-in race drop-out www.teamziller.com/nba-tanking-...
teamziller.com
Watching for drop-outs
In the NBA's new lottery system, the biggest tanking risk is from teams who could make a run at the play-in but choose instead of fall out of the race and improve draft standing. How will we tell when...
030
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Incredible. I got through those except The Stand, but I think Dolores Claibourne was my last one before I pivoted to ... uh, no longer reading for pleasure for, like, 15 years.
230
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Monday's newsletter is up. Wrote about the three most consequential rookie extension negotiations from a league perspective, plus we have links and highlights from the weekend www.teamziller.com/nba-rookie-e...
teamziller.com
3 highly consequential rookie extensions still on the table
Four class of 2023 first-rounders have secured extensions heading into preseason. There are three highly important ones still looming.
031
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
lol I remember jumping from Bunnicula to The Shining (that was the paperback that happened to be sitting around). My dad also had a large collection of The Executioner novels that I ripped through by age 10 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exe...
en.wikipedia.org
The Executioner (book series) - Wikipedia
110
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Ironically after reading a bunch of Stephen King in elementary school, I have no appetite for horror as an adult.
290
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Probably should not have picked up this novel in 4th grade
360
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Claws Reid Kevin Purr-ant Johnny Furphy
2101
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The No Dunks bump is alive and well! Thanks for the love Skeets.
140
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Today's column is on the Pistons showing the unstoppable power of restricted free agency, which some teams still aren't willing to use to its full advantage www.teamziller.com/jalen-duren-...
teamziller.com
The Pistons showed us the unbreakable power of restricted free agency
The Pistons had their star center in a very difficult spot, gave him minor concessions and in the 11th hour, he accepted them. The system is set up to this if teams have the will. Plus: Victor Wembany...
051
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
NEED I REMIND YOU THAT THE NBA OFFICIALLY INVESTIGATED DOUG CHRISTIE FOR TANKING AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION HE'S JUST BAD AT HIS JOB.
1212
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Unintentional Chagall Week continues. Wrote about the NBA coaching hot seat, took accountability on last year's rankings and expressed fresh shock that Doug Christie is still the head coach of the Sacramento Kings www.teamziller.com/nba-coaches-...
teamziller.com
The preseason NBA coaching hot seat rankings
We had six offseason coaching changes, and (technically) two during last season. Who's on close watch heading into 2026-27?
250
Reposted by Tom Ziller
Josh Gondelman @joshgondelman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This is a great read! I love what @hearingthingsco.bsky.social is doing!!!
hearingthings.co
AI Album Covers Have No Place in Hip-Hop
A visual artist who built his career on creating covers for independent rap records laments how AI is bastardizing his life’s work.
2606
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Also mentioned Hawks or Hawkslike sports events I have not seen in person
150
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Free Newsletter Wednesday. Wrote about the sports team valuation bubble and how $12-13 BILLION for a Vegas NBA franchise that very well could become Nets West is the ultimate sign of froth www.teamziller.com/nba-las-vega...
teamziller.com
Vegas provides a new meaning for the term 'NBA bubble'
Reports indicate bids for the Las Vegas expansion club are coming in at $12-13 billion. This is absolutely bonkers, even by the current standards of sports team valuations.
260
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Wrote about the Towns and Hart extension talks, the Knicks' near-future salary crunch and the biggest question: is Brunson taking another discount? www.teamziller.com/knicks-karl-...
teamziller.com
The Knicks' long march to the second apron
New York is two seasons away from apparent salary cap hell. But it's already impacting the team negatively. Can they survive the hike intact?
001
Reposted by Tom Ziller
The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) @themerl.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
never skip leg day
An oil painting of a giant white ox, with a massive body and extremely tiny legs. He stands solemnly in a field beneath a moody sky, as if presiding over some kind battle.
141128188
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Wrote about Steph's discount extension and how the Warriors are still facing a Two Timelines decision, albeit with much different context www.teamziller.com/stephen-curr...
teamziller.com
Steph Curry's discount is only half of the equation for Golden State
The legend takes a haircut to help the Warriors add another piece over the next year. But how are they going to land that other piece?
050
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Wrote up a Most Improved Player candidate from each team. Some teams were hard because of multiple potential candidates. Some teams were hard for the opposite reason. www.teamziller.com/most-improve...
teamziller.com
Most Improved candidates for every team
The most wide open NBA award allows our imaginations to run wild.
010
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It's Free Newsletter Wednesday. I ranked the 10 (current) NBA title contenders (as I see them). Plus reaction to the Kawhi extension and some links www.teamziller.com/nba-champion...
teamziller.com
Ranking the 10 (current) NBA title contenders
At least a third of the league is in play to win the championship. Probably. Maybe. It's early!
021
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Wrote about the risks in the Jalen Duren saga and the signals neither side wants to take said risk www.teamziller.com/jalen-duren-...
teamziller.com
Crunch time in the Jalen Duren saga
The Pistons are worried enough to increase their offer. Time is running out for Duren to say yes.
060
Reposted by Tom Ziller
Wedge Antilles @claunchin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This is something that IMO has been overlooked about PTFO, how they used some cinema/TV techniques not to artificially overhype but to support the "meat" in his show. They are masterful communicators on top of masterful journalism investigators
181
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This AI model loves a contoured cheekbone
030
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
[is it my civic duty to post the story to r/NBA and say this is like cap circumvention for campaign finance laws?]
1200
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The NBA internet has ruined my brain because while reading this I was imagining @pablo.show telling Amin and Samson to open their folders and read the LLC filings and Amin cackling at the typo in the shell company's name.
9333134
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
*Kings and Nuggets LEGENDS Russell Westbrook x DeMar DeRozan
0140
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
ProPublica is such a journalistic bright spot.
1416
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Wrote about the four team-friendly extensions reported in the past three days, another indicator of the power of the apron www.teamziller.com/keyonte-geor...
teamziller.com
Extensions, meet the apron era
The future is built in the present moment for four more players who landed what appear to be team-friendly extensions in recent days. We run through them.
052
Reposted by Tom Ziller
Dave DuFour 🐉 @davedufour.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
We need to ban online gambling. We’ll have to figure out how to pay for sports media some other way.
56017
Tom Ziller @teamziller.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
This all pales in comparison to the open public corruption coming out of the White House and its associated rings of grift. That stuff should be prosecuted and punishment for those crooks should aim to serve as a deterrent. But I still find the whole athletes becoming touts thing super gross.
2673