The Bounce Newsletter 
| This is The Athletic’s daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox.
There were zero games last night in the NBA. Did you guys watch a movie? Binge a show? Catch some hockey? The season opener of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”?
Time to Vote!
The Bounce picks All-Star starters
Maybe you haven’t heard the news recently, but the NBA officially announced another change to the All-Star Game format, since the game’s defense and overall product haven’t been ideal in recent years. As expected, the NBA will have four teams of eight players compete in a little mini-tournament, shaking things up and hopefully making players want to compete again. Three of the teams will be the 24 All-Stars selected through voting. The fourth team will be the winning squad from the Rising Stars Challenge.
By the way, Kevin Durant hates it! He told reporters that it’s “terrible,” and said the league should just go back to East versus West. Don’t worry, KD! Eventually, the players will probably become apathetic to this format and need another change. Maybe that will spark the return of East-West? Or even USA-born players against international players?
Regardless, the league also opened up the voting for All-Star starters today. Voting runs from now until the end of Jan. 20, and it can be done on the NBA’s app and official site.
So it feels like the right time to give my picks for starters from the East and West player pools. It could be subject to change between now and next month, but this is where The Bounce is leaning right now.
This is based on a couple of factors. A player obviously has to be deserving of this selection, first and foremost. We’re going to give preferential treatment to players on the best teams, and not treat this like an outright popularity contest … mostly. That could change in the coming weeks. Then again, entertainment factor might make me bend some standards for my starters.
East Starters
Mitchell, Tatum and Giannis are easy calls. Mitchell is the best player on the best team, Tatum has been incredible for the second-best team (and defending champs), and Giannis’ play has been reminiscent of Shaq’s dominance in the paint. The other selections could technically be a bit controversial or at least disputed.
Brunson versus Trae Young is interesting. Young has finally found a better balance to help Atlanta start winning again. His averages are great, but his percentages are pretty mediocre. Brunson has been more consistent on a better team. Jaylen Brown is also very much in the mix for a guard spot. As for Mobley, him over Karl-Anthony Towns is a pretty close call. Towns has been great, but Mobley’s team is better, and his ascension is a big reason.
West Starters
Okay, two things to address off the rip. Yes, I know Dončić is Dallas’ lead guard, but he’s 6-foot-8, and I wanted to cheat. Secondly, Anthony Davis has been better than LeBron, and that seems impossible to ignore. But while I don’t think this will be the final season for the game’s all-time leading scorer, we’re not 100 percent certain. So, just in case, I want to see James start at least one more time.
As for the rest, SGA and Jokić are the easiest selections by far. Either could be named league MVP if they maintain their production, and nobody will fight you on them starting. If that person does fight you on this, they’re just trying too hard. I think Edwards has been awesome this season, and he’s the reason I cheated by putting Dončić in the frontcourt.
The Last 24
Maybe Vegas can’t handle the NBA Cup
⚽ Illuminating. NWSL player Trinity Rodman opened up about her difficult relationship with her dad, Dennis Rodman. “He’s not a dad.”
🏀 Is Vegas boring? Marcus Thompson says the NBA Cup needs an atmosphere boost. Is Sin City capable?
📺 Don’t miss this reunion tonight. Knicks (16-10) at Timberwolves (14-11), 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT. Towns returns to the Twin Cities for the first time as a Knick (more on that with a quick scroll).
📺 Fun point guard showdown. Warriors (14-11) at Grizzlies (18-9), 8 p.m. ET on League Pass. You can’t miss Steph Curry against Ja Morant.
KAT Returns
Karl-Anthony Towns back in MPLS tonight
Karl-Anthony Towns helped save the Timberwolves from a lifetime of embarrassment. I know that might seem ridiculous to people who have looked at him as a failure for not becoming the next Kevin Garnett. The fact is, though, Towns’ arrival in 2015 was the start of the Wolves finally getting away from being a punchline and becoming a mostly respected team.
His early stardom and skill set helped attract people like Tom Thibodeau, which also led to Jimmy Butler’s acquisition. That tandem wasn’t perfect and ended with a lot of drama, but it also snapped the Wolves’ 14-year playoff drought in 2018.
Towns’ leadership was shaky over the years, but he figured it out by the time Anthony Edwards started becoming a star. He never let ego get in the way, likely due to his experience with Butler. He passed the torch while contributing to arguably the most successful season the franchise ever had. It’s why the trade this past September was a shock, a financial move disguised as a basketball decision.
The 29-year-old ranks second in franchise history in points, rebounds and blocks — all behind KG. He’s also fourth in assists and steals. And he has the most 3-pointers in team history. He’ll be welcomed with great appreciation when the Knicks visit the Target Center tonight. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Giveaway or Takeaway
The Hornets giveth and taketh away from a child
‘Tis the season to make wishes come true! Kids are hoping for dream gifts, and the NBA actually does such an amazing job giving to its fans and their local communities. It’s what made a horrific decision during a Hornets game so unbelievable, especially given today’s social media spotlight.
In a “skit” (that’s what they’re calling it) during Monday’s Hornets game, Charlotte’s mascot Hugo was dressed like Santa Claus, and they had a 13-year-old fan join him on the court. The in-game host read a “letter to Santa” about a PS5 video game console. As part of the moment, they gave the kid a PS5, which retails around $400. It’s a great gift! But here’s the problem:
They took it away once the skit was over and the cameras were off. They gave him a Hornets jersey instead. Uh … what?! After some internet backlash, the team issued a statement, likening the skit to a turnover. This is a real quote:
“We have reached out to the family and are committed to not only making it right but to exceeding expectations.”
The Hornets haven’t exceeded any expectations in … a decade? I wouldn’t make promises we can’t keep. Still, they said they returned the PS5 to the kid and want to give his family VIP treatment for an upcoming game. Just based on how they handled this, let me look at the schedule. The Wizards are in town Feb. 3. Hornets, I swear to George Zidek, if you make the kid attend that game …
Happy holidays!
NBA Ratings
A quick note on the conversation
We had a report this week that NBA ratings were down 19 percent. As you’ve probably already read on The Athletic (and if you haven’t, you really should), commissioner Adam Silver has commented. He spun it by highlighting fan interest, social-media following, league-wide attendance and the league’s coming move toward fully embracing streaming.
I honestly don’t know the point of the TV ratings discussion anymore. The league just signed a $76 billion deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime. A massive influx of revenue will hit the NBA’s shores soon. Can the league really be in trouble when they have this gargantuan deal on the way?
Instead of the same tired tropes about ratings, we should focus on discussing the product in a meaningful way. That doesn’t just mean harping on 3-point attempts. It’s about improving the competitiveness of games. That’s how to make them feel like they matter more. Problem (partially) solved.
📫 Love The Bounce? Check out The Athletic’s other newsletters.
(Top photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images )
Leave a Reply