Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Turns out Anthony Volpe really is the new Derek Jeter, because I'm getting Jeffrey Maier flashbacks 040
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 06/10/2026How will the new lottery rules affect on-court outcomes this season? Here are five predictions based on analyzing recent NBA history:espn.comPredicting how new NBA lottery, anti-tanking rules will impact 2026-27 seasonHow could the changes aimed at circumventing tanking likely affect on-court outcomes this season? 050
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Jackson Chourio just fulfilled the dream of every child imagining an improbably clutch situation—bases loaded, two outs, down by one in the bottom of the ninth against the best closer in the world—while taking swings in the backyard 1150
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 22/09/2026One of my favorite annual preseason exercises: identifying one crucial stat or number that explains every team's position entering the 2026-27 seasonespn.comThe stat that could swing every NBA team's 2026-27 seasonLet's dive into the trends, storylines and statistical nuggets that could define the NBA season. 030
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Took a time machine back to the early 2000s to analyze how the Joe Smith punishment affected the Timberwolves—and why things might be better, or much worse, for the Clippers 25 years laterespn.comKawhi investigation fallout: How the Clippers' roster is affectedAfter being punished for cap circumvention in 2000, Minnesota went nearly two decades without any playoff success. Is the same in store for Steve Ballmer's franchise? 070
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 02/09/2026The Clippers just received the Joe Smith penalty, losing 5 first-round picks. As a reminder, here's what the Timberwolves' ensuing drafts looked like at that time, right in the middle of Kevin Garnett's prime: 2131
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 19/08/2026What's the most memorable, defining moment of the 2025-26 NBA season? Let's evaluate the candidates and choose the winner. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...espn.comPicking the NBA moment that defined the 2025-26 seasonESPN analyst Zach Kram examines the moment from last season that could be remembered years -- if not decades -- to come. 030
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 24/07/2026At various points over the past few weeks, I'd pre-written material for LeBron joining the Warriors, Cavaliers, and Heat. You're welcome, 76ers fans. 1260
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 19/07/2026Charles De Ketelaere is going to be the answer to a really good trivia question someday (only player to score against Spain at this World Cup) 091
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Timing of Argentina's winners in the knockout rounds: vs. Cape Verde: 111th minute vs. Egypt: 92nd minute (stoppage time) vs. Switzerland: 112th minute vs. England: 92nd minute (stoppage time) They haven't led after 90 minutes of any knockout game. But they're in the final. 28422
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Cristopher Sanchez allowed more earned runs in the 1st inning of the All-Star Game than he's allowed in any full start at home this season. I love stats like this. 030
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 11/07/2026The Knicks scored 65 points in their first summer league game and have 17 at halftime of game 2. I don't think they're going to follow their NBA Cup and NBA Finals titles with a summer league championship. 140
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 11/07/2026Update: He ended the game with 7 made 3s, matching his entire college total 0182
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 11/07/2026Caleb Wilson made seven 3-pointers in his entire college season last year. He already has four made 3s (and a near-fifth, with his foot on the line) in his first 20 minutes at summer league. 0131
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 02/07/2026A bad instant replay ruling just ruined the most exciting USMNT World Cup run ever 0322
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Let out an audible "wow" at the Mitchell Robinson/Celtics news, and then a much louder "WHOA" at the Walker Kessler/Lakers trade 1220
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 30/06/2026I love the Kawhi Leonard trade (part 2) for the Raptors and think they're a bona fide contender next season. They had the best defense for a non-elite team last year and just added a true No. 1 option. Grades and full analysis here:espn.comKawhi traded to Raptors: Grades, reaction, Clippers' next stepsCan Toronto make a run in the East with Kawhi Leonard? Will LA make more moves? Let's grade the Raptors-Clippers trade. 260
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 30/06/2026I find rivals-to-friends athlete trajectories really moving, emotionally: Federer-Nadal, Evert-Navratilova, etc. They say a lot about the human spirit. LeBron and Steph teaming up after all the Cavs-Warriors Finals seems almost too remarkable to come true. 070
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Made this chart while analyzing Austin Reaves' new max contract 1140
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Grading the Giannis-to-the-Heat blockbuster (finally):espn.comGiannis traded to Heat: Grades, reaction, Bucks' next stepsThe Bucks sent star Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. Which side won the trade? 130
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 22/06/2026I've taken over grading duties at ESPN, where I'm assessing all trades, free agent signings and extensions this offseason. I started out positive, with only high marks in the early going. That changed with Trae Young's new four-year, $212 million deal.espn.com2026 NBA free agency: Grades for offseason signings, extensionsWe're grading the biggest NBA free agent signings and extensions, including Collin Gillespie's new deal with the Suns. 3100
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 16/06/2026I announced the winners of a fake award that should exist: the All-Playoffs first and second teams, and overall Playoffs MVP. Find out the 10 honorees here. (Hint: There are a whole lot of Knicks.)espn.comAll-NBA Playoff Awards: Which stars made our first, second teams?With the Knicks now crowned NBA champions, which players were the most impactful across all of the 2026 postseason? 051
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 14/06/2026At long last, the Knicks' title drought is over. I wrote about Jalen Brunson's MVP-worthy finale, the unique way the Knicks built a championship roster, and what a disappointing end means for the rising Spurs.espn.comHow the Knicks won the NBA Finals over the Spurs: What we learnedThe Knicks are NBA champions! Here's how they built their team to get there, and what the Finals outcome means for both them and the Spurs. 0102
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 14/06/2026FOUL UP THREE I wrote earlier this postseason that the NBA's worst-case scenario was the Finals being decided by a foul instead of a game-tying jump shot attempt. Well...espn.comIs 'foul up 3' a game-winning strategy or clutch-time saboteur?ESPN analyst Zach Kram studied years of NBA film and spoke with dozens around the league to determine whether it works and its impact on basketball. 0110
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 14/06/2026If the refs had called a flagrant on Wembanyama for stepping into Brunson's landing zone on that 3, he would've been suspended for Game 6 (if necessary) 3200
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 14/06/2026The Knicks had 6 points in the paint and 0 points from their bench, yet they're down only 5 at halftime. One half away from a championship. 0120
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 14/06/2026Two minutes into the second quarter, the Knicks have had more shots blocked by Wemby (5) than go in the hoop (4) 071
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 13/06/2026That half was the most fun I've ever had watching the USMNT. This is incredible. 0225
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 11/06/2026www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...espn.comNBA Finals Game 4: Anatomy of Knicks' comeback, Spurs' collapseThe Knicks rallied back from a 29-point second-half deficit to shock the Spurs in Game 4. Here's how they did it -- and got closer to an NBA title. 011
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Morning, NBA fans! Live now for ESPN, I explored the anatomy of a historic Knicks comeback and a historic Spurs collapse. (Link in next post.) 1110
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 11/06/2026My notes on this game have descended into increasingly incoherent scribbles 0281
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Presented without any opinion, just some context: Karl-Anthony Towns led the league with 61 offensive fouls this season. No other player had more than 38. In the tracking era, KAT has three of the five seasons with the most offensive fouls. (Giannis has the other two.) 0214
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 09/06/2026www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...espn.comGrading bold 2025-26 season predictions for all 30 NBA teamsThe Knicks will reach the Finals: A+. Ace Bailey will lead all rookies in scoring: D. Let's reevaluate 30 predictions from last October. 010
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Also at ESPN today: I reviewed and graded 30 bold predictions I made in the preseason, including this absolute winner (link in next post) 2171
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Lobs! Dunks! Alley-oops! I analyzed how the Spurs got their offense going in a must-win Game 3, as part of my broader review of last night's contest:espn.com2026 NBA Finals: Important plays, lessons from Knicks-Spurs Game 3How, exactly, did the Spurs stun the Knicks at home? Let's break down Game 3 from all angles, then evaluate what it means for Game 4 and beyond. 040
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 09/06/2026If they end in 4 or 5 games, these Finals probably won't be remembered as a classic (except by Knicks fans). But every individual game has been extremely entertaining so far. 2300
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 09/06/2026The Knicks' 42 points in the second quarter are the most the Spurs have allowed in any quarter in the whole postseason 0569
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 06/06/2026I wrote about what the wild end to Game 2 means for Wemby—and everything that led up to that moment, from the Spurs' scoring struggles to the return of Brooklyn Bridges to the great shrinking of San Antonio's rotation www.espn.com/nba/story/_/... 140
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 06/06/2026The early GeniusIQ tracking numbers say San Antonio's shot quality tonight was its worst in any game all season. New York's defense has been phenomenal through two games. 1267
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 06/06/2026The Spurs went on a 14-0 run immediately after I finished my lede about how impressive it is that New York won two road games in a row in the Finals. My bad, Knicks fans. 4171
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 04/06/2026I'll be breaking down the biggest plays, trends, and matchups after every Finals game for ESPN. Here's my Game 1 analysis, starring Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and the indefatigable Knicks:espn.com2026 NBA Finals: Important plays, lessons from Knicks-Spurs Game 1Let's break down Knicks-Spurs Game 1 from all angles, from the most important plays to the key indicators and matchups to watch in Game 2. 010
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 04/06/2026The Knicks won the last quarter and a half by a 54-30 margin. They scored more points in the last 18ish minutes than in the first 30. 1318
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 04/06/2026The two best players in the first half of the Finals were a 20-year-old rookie coming off the bench and a player who was undrafted and waived and ranks 293rd in salary this season. Basketball! 1120
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 04/06/2026I wrote a big Finals preview and must've read a half dozen others, and each one focused on how the Spurs would use Wemby to guard Hart and avoid placing him on KAT as much as possible. So it's very funny that Wemby came out guarding Towns from the opening tip. 0180
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 01/06/2026Knicks-Spurs Finals preview! Breaking down all the biggest trends and story lines for a compelling series, with a prediction at the end:espn.com2026 NBA Finals: Storylines, matchups that will define Knicks-SpursHow can the Knicks slow Wemby on both ends? Can Jalen Brunson defy the logic about small guards? Here's what Knicks-Spurs will tell us about these teams and the league. 171
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 31/05/2026The Thunder absolutely need to trade Chet this summer because it's impossible for a 24-year-old All-NBA player to bounce back from a bad playoff series. Nobody's ever done it before. He's doomed forever now. 3656
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 31/05/2026Admirable title defense for the Thunder, who won 64 games with a +11.1 net rating and made it to Game 7 of the conference finals. But now we're going to get an 8th unique champion in 8 years. Hopefully Spurs-Knicks is just as entertaining as Spurs-Thunder was. 0201
Zach Kram @zachkram.bsky.social · 31/05/2026Wild distribution of points from Thunder starters, through 3 quarters tonight 070
