Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put a stamp on his remarkable 2024-25 season after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the city’s first NBA championship.

SGA joined a very short list of players who won an NBA title, regular season MVP and NBA Finals MVP while leading the league in scoring. The list includes Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and SGA. Before SGA’s amazing season, Shaq was the last scoring leader to win a championship and MVPs in the same season. Jordan is the only player to pull off the rare feat more than once (1991, 1992, 1996, 1998). Jordan and Shai, who averaged a league-leading 32.7 points per game, are the only guards to win a scoring title and championship in the same season.

“It’s hard to believe I’m even part of that group,” Gilgeous-Alexander said during his postgame media session with the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy sitting on the table. “It’s hard the fathom that I’m that type of basketball player. As a kid, you dream. Every kid dreams. But you don’t really know if it’s gonna come true. I’m just glad my dreams were able to come true.”

Shai also became the first player since Stephen Curry in 2015 to win MVP and a championship in the same season, and first player since LeBron James in 2013 to win regular season MVP and Finals MVP honors in the same season.

Where does Shai rank on OneManFastBreak’s annual top-five list? Take a look at this year’s OMFB Furious Five.

***

Each year OneManFastBreak.net ranks the five best players in the NBA. The OMFB Furious Five pays homage to the five styles of Chinese martial arts: snake, crane, monkey, praying mantis, and tiger.

The ranking system is based on one man’s opinion and does not follow or conform to any standard format, with more emphasis placed on how each player and their respective teams performed in the postseason. Stars are born during the regular season, but legends are made in the playoffs.

In 2024, OMFB Furious Five featured Jaylen Brown (5), Giannis Antetokounmpo (4), Luka Doncic (3), Jayson Tatum (2), Nikola Jokic (1).

Without further ado, here are the five best basketball players in the world.

5-JALEN BRUNSON
New York Knicks, Guard

Jalen Brunson’s arrival in New York may be one of the league’s most transformative acquisitions of the past decade. The two-time NCAA champion from Villanova has blossomed into one of the NBA’s best players after spending four seasons riding the pine in Dallas.

Jalen is arguably the most impactful player to wear a Knicks jersey since Patrick Ewing, and he’s giving New York its best shot at ending a five-decade title drought. Brunson was named to the 2025 All-NBA second team and received the Clutch Player of the Year for his uncanny ability to deliver big shots in the big moments for the Knicks.

During the regular season, he averaged 26.0 points and 7.3 assists across 35.4 minutes per game in 65 games. He amped it up in the postseason, averaging 29.4 points and leading the Knicks to their first appearance in the Eastern Conference finals in 25 years. He hit the 30-point mark in four of the six games in the conference finals against the Pacers, but it wasn’t enough as the Knicks fell in six games.

A week after being eliminated, the Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau. Knicks brass felt the team — with Brunson as the leader — is close to winning a championship, and it was time for a new voice and a coach who can help Brunson and the Knicks get over the hump. Brunson’s decision to sign a four-year, $156.5 million extension shows he’s prioritizing bringing a championship to New York above all else. He could have signed a five-year, $269.1 million max deal, but by giving the Knicks the hometown discount and allowing the franchise salary cap flexibility.

4-GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
Milwaukee Bucks, Forward

A calf strain forced Giannis Antetokounmpo to watch his Bucks get eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. This year, Giannis and Bucks watched Damian Lillard rupture his Achilles tendon in the first round and the Pacers eliminated the Bucks for a second straight season.

Giannis put together another outstanding season, averaging 30.4 points (second in NBA), 11.9 rebounds (sixth in NBA), a career-high-tying 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 60.1% from the field (sixth in NBA). Giannis led the Bucks to the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup championship and named the Emirates NBA Cup MVP.

As long as Giannis is healthy and playing, the Bucks remain one of the top teams in the East. But for how long will he keep playing for the Bucks? Only Giannis knows the answer.

“I feel like there’s a lot of time that life has made me said or, like, frustrated since I was a kid – I never gave up,” Antetokounmpo said following the Bucks’ season-ending loss to the Indiana Pacers. “I always try to find solutions in my life, which I think it translates to the basketball court. I always try to, even though things might not happen the way I want it to happen, I always have class and I have this optimistic mentality of coming back, keep on working and there’s going to be a day that’s gonna be your turn. It cannot always go your way.”

3-TYRESE HALIBURTON
Indiana Pacers, Guard

Tyrese Haliburton redefined what it meant to be “clutch” in the 2025 NBA postseason. Since the NBA’s play-by-play era began in the 1996-97 season, LeBron James has the most postseason shots to either tie or take the lead in the final three seconds of regulation or overtime with eight. Before the 2025 postseason, no one else had more than four in nearly the past 30 years. Haliburton delivered four game-tying or game-winning shots in one postseason run — one clutch shot in each round.

The 25-year-old Pacers point guard played like a man possessed. You could tell Hali was bothered by being labeled “overrated” by an anonymous panel of his peers, which was published by The Athletic. Haliburton wore that “overrated” label like a badge of honor. He used the disrespect as motivation in authoring the greatest playoff run by a single player. He took it out on his peers, sending them home in the playoffs one by one.

Haliburton sent Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks home in the first round and he sent Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers home in the conference semifinals. Both series ended in five games, with Haliburton playing a key role in slamming the door. Haliburton gave us one of the most iconic moments in sports with his game-tying shot at Madison Square Garden, making him public enemy No. 1 in New York City.

The Pacers came back from a nine-point deficit in 52.5 seconds in Game 1, with Haliburton sinking a dagger jump shot that bounced five feet in the air before swishing through the net. The dagger shot and the choke sign celebration — an ode to Reggie Miller’s pose in front of Spike Lee — will linger in the memories of Knicks fans for a long time. The “Hali Clutch Tour” rolled into Oklahoma City in the Game 1 of the NBA Finals and didn’t disappoint. Haliburton’s 21-foot jumper with 0.3 seconds left gave Indiana its first and only lead of the game as the Pacers struck down the Thunder 111-110. “Man, basketball’s fun. Winning is fun,” Haliburton said after his game winner.

An Achilles injury was the only thing that derailed the Haliburton train. He seemingly was well on his way to a big Game 7 in the NBA Finals when his Achilles tendon snapped seven minutes into the first quarter. When Hali fell to the ground he pounded the floor, not just from the pain he was feeling on his foot but from the emotional pain. His body failed him at the worst possible time.

2-NIKOLA JOKIC
Denver Nuggets, Center

Nikola Jokic has been so consistently good the past five years that we’ve grown accustomed to his basketball brilliance.

The Joker is one of nine players to win at least three MVPs, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan (5), Bill Russell (5), Wilt Chamberlain (4), LeBron James (4), Larry Bird (3), Magic Johnson (3) and Moses Malone (3).

Jokic had the best season of his career in 2024-25, which is absurd considering Joker is a three-time MVP and 2023 NBA champion. This past season, he averaged a career-high 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, a career-high 10.2 assists and a career-high 1.8 steals while shooting 57.6% from the field and a career-high 41.7% from three in 36.7 minutes per game. He became just the third player in NBA history to average a triple double for a single season, joining Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson. Westbrook and Robertson are guards and primary ball handlers, which makes Jokic’s triple-double season even more impressive considering he’s a center.

The big man from Serbia was named to his fifth All-NBA first-team selection for the fifth consecutive year and finished second in the MVP voting. He led the Denver Nuggets to the second round before losing to Oklahoma City in seven games. Jokic’s size and skill gave OKC all kinds of problems, and if the Nuggets had better production from their bench they might have knocked off OKC.

Time will tell where Jokic will ultimately land on the list of all-time great centers. Jokic’s resume speaks for itself. But in order for Joker to match or surpass Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Moses, Hakeem, Shaq, and Duncan, he needs to win more than just one NBA championship.

And now, the No. 1 player in the world. Drum roll please . . .

1-SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
Oklahoma City Thunder, guard

Lou Williams had a front row seat to Shai’s early development having been his teammate during SGA’s rookie season with the Clippers. He observed how Shai dedicated himself to improving at just 20 and is now seeing him emerge as one of the best basketball players in the world at age 26.

Lou Will said this about Shai on the “Run It Back” podcast on FanDuel TV: “He was always a responsible player who carried himself like a mature professional. He had big aspirations and was clear about his endgame. He knew his abilities.”

SGA embodies the qualities of a throwback player who understands the importance of consistency and patience in achieving the ultimate goal of winning a championship.

Behind Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder (68-14) finished atop the NBA and tied for the sixth-best single-season record in league history. Oklahoma City outscored opponents by an NBA-record 12.9 points per game.

Gilgeous-Alexander joined Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to average at least 32.0 points and 6.0 assists per game and shoot 50.0% or better from the field in a season. Jordan accomplished the feat twice (1989 and 1990).

Shai had his Jordan moment in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. He came up big in a must-win game for the Thunder. A loss would have meant a 3-1 hole. A win meant the series tied 2-2.

The Pacers had an opportunity to put a stranglehold on the series after taking a four-point lead with four minutes left in the game. That’s when SGA put on his Batman cape and took over.

“I just tried to be aggressive. I knew what it would look like if we had lost [Game 4], and I didn’t want to go out not swinging,” SGA said about taking over in the last three minutes.

“I didn’t want to go out not doing everything in my power to try to win the game,” he added. “The guys deserve that much from me, the coaching staff deserves that much from me. I just tried to be aggressive, but also let the game come to me and not to force anything and not do anything crazy. I guess it paid off.”

Shai absolutely sensed the moment, scoring 13 of his team’s final 14 points including a contested step-back baseline jumper over Aaron Nesmith where he nearly fell to the floor but somehow regained his balance and buried a clutch shot to give OKC the lead for good.

He finished the game with a game-high 35 points on 12-for-24 shooting from the field and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line in leading OKC to a 111-104 victory to tie the series. The Thunder went on to beat the Pacers in seven games to win the championship.

“That’s what it is all about. Winning, especially at this time of the season, it comes down to the moments, it’s gonna come down to end of game … it’s gonna come down to the moments where who makes winning plays,” Shai said. “I relish those moments. Love the moments, good or bad. When I was a kid shooting on my driveway, I’ve count down the clock for those moments and I now get to live it. It’s fun. I relish it.”

Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastbreak.net. Follow and subscribe to his YouTube channel at @onemanfastbreak1.

Photo credits: Associated Press and Getty Images

Being a basketball fan is truly exciting right now. The game is transitioning smoothly from one era to the next. LeBron James has had an incredible two-decade career, and it’s time for King James to relinquish the crown. The luster of Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors’ decade-long success is beginning to fade.

The NBA is currently undergoing a rebranding, and it’s happening at an ideal time. TNT Sports’ 35-year television partnership with the NBA will conclude after the 2025 season. The league will begin its new 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal with ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime starting in the 2025-26 season. Additionally, John Tesh’s iconic “Roundball Rock” theme music is making a return, introducing a new generation of basketball fans to its catchy tune. There couldn’t be a better way to kick off this rebranding than with some fresh headliners.

The 2025 NBA Finals features two burgeoning superstars in Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the newly crowned 2025 NBA MVP, and Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Shai and Tyrese are not superstar-level yet, but they are at the doorstep. They are spearheading this new wave of contemporary talent and ushering in the yet-to-be defined era.

“We’re witnessing the changing of the guard,” said former L.A. Clippers guard Lou Williams on the “Run It Back” podcast on FanDuel TV. “We are seeing the LeBrons and Kobes of our time. These young superstars are starting to make their mark on the game and define where it’s headed in the future. SGA is going to be one of those special players.”

Lou Will had a unique perspective on Shai’s development, having been his teammate during SGA’s rookie season with the Clippers. “This is my rook,” said Williams, who recognized Shai’s maturity from Day 1. He observed how Shai dedicated himself to improving at just 20 and is now seeing him emerge as one of the best players in the league at 26.

“[Shai] was always a responsible player who carried himself like a mature professional,” Williams noted. “He had big aspirations and was clear about his endgame. He knew his abilities.”

Lou Will’s praise for Shai’s work ethic underscores SGA’s character. The Clippers had a strong feeling that SGA could become an All-Star caliber player, but an NBA MVP? “Not in my wildest dreams,” Lou Will admitted. “I’m sure Shai had [MVP] on his vision board.”

SGA embodies the qualities of a throwback player who understands the importance of consistency and patience in achieving the ultimate goal of winning a championship.

The same holds true for Haliburton. The 25-year-old Pacers guard possesses an unorthodox shooting style but plays like a classic point guard with modern capabilities. He can dominate a game without scoring, pushing the pace like an ’80s playmaker while boasting an astonishing 5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. For context, a 3:1 ratio is considered well above average, while 4:1 is excellent. Haliburton is operating on an entirely different level in terms of minimizing turnovers.

Few players can match Haliburton’s killer mentality. He has made headlines by leading two historic comebacks with game-winning shots that thwarted the playoff hopes of the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers. He also delivered a memorable choke sign celebration at Madison Square Garden after making a dagger shot that seemingly floated five feet in the air before swishing through the net. That shot and choke sign celebration will linger in the memories of Knicks fans for a long time.

The Pacers achieved remarkable comebacks, erasing a seven-point lead in 34.7 seconds to eliminate the Bucks in five games, then erasing another seven-point deficit in 46.7 seconds to take a 2-0 lead against the Cavaliers. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks, they came back from a nine-point deficit in 52.5 seconds in Game 1, with Haliburton sinking critical shots during each comeback.

SGA and Haliburton — alongside Anthony Edwards (23), Jalen Brunson (28), Cade Cunningham (23) and Luka Doncic (26) — are entering their prime years. Five of the six made the 2025 All-NBA teams (Luka didn’t qualify because of games missed), and they represent the present and future of the Association. They represent the major shift in the NBA as we head into a new era.

HISTORY LESSON: BREAKING DOWN DIFFERENT ERAS IN THE NBA

How did we arrive at this point? Let’s pop the VHS tape into the VCR and press rewind. The first 75 years of the NBA can be divided into six distinct eras.

In the league’s formative years of the 1950s and 1960s, eight basketball pioneers — Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Bob Cousy, George Mikan, Bob Pettit, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bill Russell — established the groundwork for greatness. Bill Russell and his Boston Celtics didn’t just participate; they dominated the era, clinching 11 championships in 13 seasons. This is an astonishing achievement that is unlikely to ever be matched.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dave Cowens, John Havlicek, Willis Reed, Wes Unseld, Rick Barry, George “Iceman” Gervin, and Julius Erving carried the torch through the colorful and turbulent era in the 1970s. This was a challenging time marked by the competition between the ABA and NBA, resulting in dwindling audiences.

The arrival of Magic Johnson in L.A. and Larry Bird in Boston revitalized basketball during the 1980s, often regarded as the league’s golden era. It was a period of glitz and grit. Showtime vs. Celtic Pride. East Cost vs. West Coast. This period also saw the emergence of the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, along with three-time MVP Moses Malone’s move from Houston to Philadelphia. Moses teamed up with Julius “Dr. J” Erving in the 1982-83 season and co-authored one of the most dominant playoff runs, sweeping Magic’s Lakers in the ’83 Finals and capping off a 12-1 postseason record. Moses’ audacious move may be the first variant of a superstar player joining another superstar player to form a super team.

The Air Jordan era took flight in the 1990s. After grabbing the baton from Magic and Bird, Michael Jordan ruled the ’90s, winning six championships in eight years and denying peers Sir Charles Barkley, Karl “The Mailman” Malone, and Patrick Ewing from winning rings. Jordan’s Bulls was a perfect 6-0 in the NBA Finals and pulled off the three-peat twice.

Hakeem Olajuwon benefited from Jordan’s brief two-year retirement, leading the Houston Rockets to back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. David “The Admiral” Robinson teamed up with Tim “Big Fundamental” Duncan in San Antonio, winning titles in 1999 and 2003.

The immediate post-Jordan era was dominated by five players: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and Duncan. Kobe, Shaq, and Duncan combined to win 13 NBA titles, four regular season MVPs, and eight Finals MVPs from 1999 to 2010. For a decade, the road to the NBA Finals went through Kobe, Shaq, and Duncan. It was the dueling dynasties era. Shaq and Kobe led the Lakers to a three-peat — one of only five three-peats in NBA history. Mikan’s Minneapolis Lakers did it. Russell’s Celtics did it. Jordan’s Bulls did it twice. And Shaq and Kobe were the last to do it in 2002.

Nowitzki bridged the gap between the Kobe Bryant era and the LeBron James era. Nowitzki ended Kobe’s reign as the world’s best player when Dirk’s Dallas Mavericks squad knocked off Kobe’s Lakers in the 2011 playoffs. In the same playoff run, Nowitzki pumped the brakes on LeBron’s title run when his Mavs defeated LeBron’s Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.

LeBron’s appearance in the 2011 Finals started a run of eight consecutive trips. He put together a super team in Miami, winning two titles in 2012 and 2013, but lost to the Mavs in 2011 and Duncan’s Spurs in 2014. After a four-year run in South Beach, LeBron returned to Cleveland to fulfill his promise of bringing a championship to his hometown team. He delivered on the promise by winning a title in 2016, ending Cleveland’s 52-year professional title drought.

Dirk and KG revolutionized the game, ushering in a new era of big men. The Big Ticket made it possible for high schoolers to skip college and turn pro at 19. Nowitzki opened the door for European bigs who preferred to face the basket instead of having their back to it. Nowitzki and Garnett were instrumental in the game’s evolution, as more and more teams shifted away from traditional power forwards and opted for stretch-4s.

LeBron took the Cavs to four straight NBA Finals but could muster just one victory in four matchups against Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors. Curry led the Warriors to four championships in eight seasons — two of those championship banners were aided by the addition of Kevin Durant.

The Dubs Dynasty opened the portal to the “small ball” era and advanced metrics. Analytics experts preferred shooting 3s over 2s — it’s either a layup or dunk or a 3-ball — and the midrange shot was viewed as somewhat of a dinosaur idea. The modern NBA puts a premium on pace and space.

The Pacers and Thunder are extensions of the pace-and-space approach, with some added features. Much like today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, the game continues to evolve. Sure, the traditional back-to-the-basket center may be extinct, but centers are more valuable than ever. Small ball is becoming out of style like skinny jeans. Big-boy basketball is back — with pace and space.

Spurs 7-foot-6 center/forward/guard Victor Wembanyama is the type of player every team craves. Wemby is a big man with a handle who can shoot threes while being an anchor on defense. There’s only one Wemby, but teams will scour the Earth to find a similar player.

OKC found a Wemby-type unicorn in Chet Holmgren. Holmgren may not be as tall as Wemby but he can do all the things Wemby does. Holmgren has a decent handle for a 7-1 player, which allows him to get to his hot spots. Holmgren is also one of the best shot blockers in the NBA, which allows OKC defenders like Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso to press up and stay attached because they know Chet has their back.

The Thunder and Pacers both subscribe to the pace-and-space philosophy, but what allows them to consistently play at hyper-speed is depth. Indiana and OKC throw a wave of bodies at teams, saving their starters from having to play heavy minutes.

Today’s NBA is littered with 3&D wing players and big combo guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Cade Cunningham. What’s also becoming in vogue is skilled big men. Teams are looking for the next Nikola Jokic, a 5-man who can be the hub of an offense. We are deep in the era of positionless basketball where forwards can play center and centers can play guard.

Because the ball is in the hands of principal scorers, the traditional point guard is being phased out. What used to be the primary job of the point guard is now being distributed to other positions.
Haliburton might be one of the last of the Mohicans in terms of pure point guards, much like the gas-guzzling SUVs with V6 engines. It’s becoming harder and harder to find them. Suppressing point guards and centers isn’t healthy for the game. We need more of them, not less.

Shai, Cade, and Luka, on the other hand, are the archetypes of today’s point guard. They are big, heliocentric guards (6-6 and 6-7) built to play downhill, able to attack a compromised defense while coming off ball screens. They can score or draw fouls in the paint or draw multiple defenders and kick it out for open threes. It’s essentially an extension of what LeBron or James Harden have been doing for the past decade.

What separates SGA from Luka and Cade is his ability to do damage in the midrange area. The midrange (or the high post) is the area on the court that’s 4 to 5 feet below the 3-point line or roughly 15 to 20 feet away from the basket. It stretches from one side of the free throw line elbow to the next. Attack the mid-range is a core part of SGA’s game, and he’s proficient at it. During his 2024-25 MVP season when he averaged a league-leading 32.7 points per game, Shai made 57% of his mid-range attempts. The average NBA team’s midrange field goal percentage is around 42%.

There’s a fictitious narrative in basketball in terms of the mid-range shot. Many pundits and players jumped on the 3-point shot bandwagon and shoved the middie to the side of the road. But the middie never really went away. It is still the weapon of choice in the postseason, and it is still the best shot that’ll lead to a title. Outside of Steph Curry’s Warriors and Jayson Tatum’s Boston Celtics, the mid-range or the mid-post is where championship teams earn their money.

The adage of “what’s old is new again” seems fitting here because SGA is making the old mid-range shot the new viral trend.

As much as we’d like to see our sports heroes play forever, they can’t. Every now and then they might be able to summon a flicker of their greatness, but eventually the flame will go out.

We’ve been fortunate enough to watch all-time greats like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant entertain us for years. However, Father Time is undefeated and the clock will eventually run out on LeBron (who turns 41 next season), Steph (36), and KD (36).

It’s time for a new generation of stars to entertain us. Embrace the changing of the guard and get excited. It’s going to be fantastic.

Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastbreak.net. Follow and subscribe to his YouTube channel at @onemanfastbreak1.

A big shout-out to NBA commissioner Adam Silver for gifting basketball fans the in-season tournament. It was a smashing success. It created a ton of buzz right around a time when football usually dominates the headlines.

The championship game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 9 was the most-watched regular-season game — excluding Christmas Day games — the NBA has had on any network in nearly six years, according to ESPN. It averaged 4.58 million viewers on ABC and ESPN2, peaking at about 5.68 million viewers.

The NFL still rules the American sports landscape, but the NBA in-season tournament certainly carved out a nice niche that could be parlayed into something special for years to come. Sure, there are still a few things Silver and his top executives could smooth out. But the NBA certainly hit the jackpot with this out-of-the-box idea that worked because the players bought in, especially the league’s superstars.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis were clearly motivated to win the inaugural tournament. The Lakers’ All-Star duo set the tone by treating every game as if it was the playoffs. After finishing 4-0 in group play, the Lakers eliminated Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns in the knockout round, and capped their perfect 7-0 tournament run by sweeping both games at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to capture the first ever NBA Cup.

LeBron had 30 points, eight assists, and five rebounds in just 23 minutes in L.A.’s 133-89 demolition of the New Orleans Pelicans in the semifinals. Two nights later, it was Davis’ turn to dominate as he authored Shaq-like numbers with 41 points, 20 rebounds and four blocks in a convincing 123-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the championship game.

“We have a great 1-2 punch,” said LeBron, who was named in-season tournament MVP. “I took care of the semifinals game and he took care of the finals game, and that’s what it is all about. Hold each other accountable.”

Davis, who showed a lot of grit and fire during L.A.’s impressive run, mirrored what his fellow Klutch Sports buddy said in the locker room while celebrating with teammates.

“Bron carried the torch [in the semifinals] and it was my job [in the finals]. We have each other’s back,” Davis told Spectrum SportsNet’s Allie Clifton. “When one of us is struggling like I was Thursday, he carried the torch. Tonight, he got off to a slow start but I had his back.”

Davis had everyone’s back in the two games in Vegas, putting on a defensive clinic. He “only” tallied six blocks in the semifinals and finals, but he seemingly contested every shot in the paint and his presence was felt by everyone on the Pelicans and Pacers.

LeBron backed up AD’s monster game with an efficient 24-point, 11-rebound night in 34 minutes. LeBron was locked in throughout the tourney, averaging 26.4 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while shooting 56.8% from the field and an eye-popping 60.6% on 3-pointers (James shoots 34% for his career). He turns 39 years old on Dec. 30. For a man who has accomplished just about everything in the sport, LeBron understood the historical nature of the moment.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to say you were the first to do something,” LeBron told Lakers sideline reporter Mike Trudell. “This will go down in history. We’re the first team to ever win the in-season tournament. I’ll take some history for sure.”

“It absolutely means something,” LeBron added. “Every time you put the Lakers into the history books, it means something and I’m happy to be part of it.”

The Pacers, led by tournament breakout star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, came into the finals as the NBA’s No. 1 scoring team at 128 points per game. They love to play at a breakneck pace. But against the Lakers, their speed and pace were overwhelmed by the Lakers’ size and length.

L.A. had a massive 42-point advantage on points in the paint and outrebounded the Pacers by 23. The Lakers made only two 3-pointers for the game, but their 86 points in the paint more than made up for their lack of threes. The Lakers’ dominance in the paint didn’t allow Haliburton to get a running start, forcing him to slow down and play in more halfcourt sets where the Lakers defense can load up and trap him.

Haliburton, who entered the tourney final averaging 26.7 points and a league best 13.3 assists, was held in check with 20 points and had three turnovers.

The United States senior men’s national team enters the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup with the weight of the world on its shoulder.

Being the hunted is a familiar position for Team USA after being so dominant for nearly 20 years. But the rest of the world is catching up, and winning a gold medal is no longer a sure bet.

The 58-game winning streak for the Americans in FIBA and Olympic competition came to a crashing halt in 2019 when the Gregg Popovich-coached squad — headlined by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — finished seventh at the World Cup held in China. It was the worst finish by an American squad in an Olympic or World Cup tournament, and it was the first time the U.S. failed to medal in basketball’s biggest international stage since the 2002 debacle in Indianapolis. We still haven’t forgiven George Karl for that mess.

Popovich did find some redemption in the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo as he coached the U.S. — led by Kevin Durant and Draymond Green — to a gold medal.

Durant and Green are sitting out this year’s World Cup. The 12-man unit USA Basketball is sending to the Philippines — which co-hosts this year’s tournament with Japan and Singapore — is untested and doesn’t have a single All-NBA performer.

“For us, we have a lot of young guys this year, so we all feel like we have something to prove,” point guard Tyrese Haliburton told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews during the NBA summer league in Vegas.

Haliburton is one of the many new faces on Team USA that may be short on name recognition and international experience but loaded with promise. Haliburton (Indiana Pacers) is one of three players on the national team who earned NBA All-Star nods this past year. The other two were shooting guard Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) and forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies).

The rest of the squad includes Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Josh Hart (New York Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Cameron Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks) and Austin Reaves (L.A. Lakers).

“I don’t think the expectations are what they usually are for USA Basketball, but that’s not changing for us guys who are playing,” Haliburton said. “We are really excited to get to it.

“It’s gonna be a lot of fun,” he added. “A lot of guys are around the same age as me.”

Even though expectations are a bit muted this time around, Haliburton said it doesn’t change the primary objective: bring home the gold and reestablish American dominance.

“All the young guys feel like we have something to prove on the national level and obviously on the world level as well,” Haliburton said.

Following the Tokyo Games, USA Basketball underwent a period of transition.

Grant Hill, the former Duke standout and No. 3 overall pick in the 1994 draft by the Detroit Pistons, took over for Jerry Colangelo as managing director of the U.S. senior men’s national team. Steve Kerr, the four-time NBA championship coach of the Golden State Warriors, took the baton from Popovich as the head coach. Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat), Ty Lue (L.A. Clippers) and Mark Few (Gonzaga) round out Kerr’s coaching staff.

Kerr is tasked with leading a group that is about as raw as they come in terms of international competition. Portis, 28, is the oldest player on the roster while Banchero, 20, is the youngest American to compete at a FIBA World Cup event since Dwight Howard in 2006. The average age on Team USA is 24, and the team is desperately searching for an alpha dog to take charge.

Kerr started with the combination of Brunson, Edwards, Bridges, Ingram, and Jackson Jr. in the exhibition game against Puerto Rico on Aug. 7 in Las Vegas. Barring injuries or a major surprise in camp, this will likely be the starting lineup for Team USA when it arrives in Manila to take on New Zealand in its World Cup opener on Aug. 26.

After what assistant coach Spoelstra described as a “sloppy” first half that kept the game close, the U.S. overwhelmed Puerto Rico in the second half en route to a dominant 117-74 victory in the first of five USA Basketball showcase games in preparation for the World Cup.

Brunson is the steady hand Kerr needs to run point, and he’s also emerged in training camp as the vocal leader. Haliburton came off the bench in the win over Puerto Rico and looked comfortable in that role. He may be better suited to be the secondary playmaker, with his ability to push the pace on the second unit.

Jackson Jr. is the clear starting center and there’s a huge gap between him and his backups Portis, Banchero, and Kessler. Jackson Jr.’s ability to impact the game on both ends is what makes him an invaluable piece.

The surprise of training camp has been Reaves.

His inclusion on the squad raised a few eyebrows. But after a solid debut wearing the USA colors, those doubts were put to rest. Kerr called Reaves “a connector” and “enhances any lineup that he plays with.”

“He fits in wherever we put him. That’s the beauty of Austin,” Kerr told reporters about the L.A. Lakers guard, whose efficiency from 3-point range (40%) and effective play-making are two vital skills he can bring to the table. Reaves is a solid compliment to Edwards, who is more of a volume shooter and slasher.

Throughout the showcase games, it is becoming clear that Reaves is one of the five indispensable players on the squad. It’s a list that includes Brunson, Edwards, Jackson Jr., and Bridges. This is Reaves’ freshman season on the FIBA stage and he’s soaking in every moment.

“I didn’t play much AAU growing up, so I don’t really know many of [my USA Basketball teammates],” Reaves told Fox Sports. “But this is a cool opportunity for me to play with a bunch of guys that are really talented. A bunch of good guys, honestly.”

One position this squad has plenty of depth is at the wing. Bridges is the ideal 3-and-D forward while Ingram, who is more for a natural small forward, is the ideal 4-man in the world of FIBA. Johnson can play either forward position and Hart — the third member of the Villanova Boys on the squad — will bring plenty of hustle off the bench.

The exhibition game against Puerto Rico wasn’t much of a game, but it did give us a sense of what style of play Kerr wants this group will run. It’s the same pace-and-space philosophy Kerr employs as headmaster of the Warriors. He wants his point guards to push the pace and he wants ball movement and man movement off the ball.

Kerr is one of the brightest minds in basketball. He and his outstanding coaching staff will figure out how to make this untested group play the right way and compete for gold.

Memo to rebuilding NBA franchises. When evaluating LaMelo Ball, let your eyes dictate. Ignore the noise.

If you’re an NBA scout or executive, don’t judge LaMelo because of what you’ve read or heard about him. Don’t let your disdain for his outspoken father, LaVar Ball, influence your decision.  Don’t listen to the noise from pundits on TV or internet trolls. Watch him play and ask yourself this question, “Is LaMelo Ball the best prospect in the 2020 NBA draft?” The answer is a resounding “yes.”

The young man is a star in the making. He has more followers on Instagram than Zion Williamson. He brings a boatload of buzz to any arena that he plays in (if the coronavirus pandemic allows fans back in arenas). And based on his experiences on his family’s reality TV show “Ball in the Family” on Facebook Watch, he’s extremely comfortable being in the spotlight.

LaMelo is a 6-foot-7, 181-pound combo guard armed with unlimited shooting range and a handle that’ll make any Harlem Globetrotter salivate. Speaking of globetrotting, LaMelo — who turned 19 in August — is well traveled. His basketball odyssey has been anything but ordinary.

After just two seasons in high school, LaVar pulled him out of Chino Hills and placed him in a professional league in Lithuania. He took another detour and played in his father’s Junior Basketball Association (JBA). After contemplating another trip overseas, he decided to stay in the States and enrolled at SPIRE Institute in Ohio where he played for Jermaine Jackson, who later became his manager. LaMelo’s last pre-NBA stop was New Zealand where he played 12 games for the Illawarra Hawks, averaging 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

LaMelo’s upbringing on the basketball court is unlike any before him, making it near impossible to compare him to even his own brother, former L.A. Lakers No. 2 overall pick and current starting New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball. But LaVar is convinced his youngest son is the best of all the Ball boys.

“Definitely Melo’s better than Lonzo at this age, on the fact that the people that Melo [was] playing against at 16 were not the same people Lonzo was playing at 16, 17,” LaVar said during an interview with Fox Sports Australia.

“I took Melo out of high school, so he’s not studying chemistry tests and social studies and all that,” LaVar said. “You’re practicing 24/7. All you’re doing is working on basketball… so you’re not playing regular high school guys, where Gelo and Zo played the high school route. That’s why Melo is so much better, because he’s got so much more experience, because I learned. This is a better road right here, if we do this. That’s why he’s prepared to come over here and be successful playing against grown men, because he already did that.”

OneManFastBreak.net breaks down the eight best players eligible for the 2020 NBA draft.

1-LaMelo Ball, G, Illawarra Hawks (New Zealand)
NBA comparison: Lonzo Ball
Scouting report: LaMelo Ball’s size allows him to play both guard positions, but he’s most comfortable at point where he can control the game. Does he shoot too much? Yes. Does he take bad shots? Yes. But with the proper coaching and right system, you can reel him in. He’s a much better shooter than big brother Lonzo and far superior athlete than other big bro LiAngelo. Melo is a gifted scorer who can score on all three levels. He can shoot the 3-ball, pull up at midrange and can finish at the rim with either hand. His creativity with the ball is comparable to Lonzo, but Lonzo has the huge edge over Melo on defense. Melo tends to drift and lose focus defensively. He’s so anxious to get the ball back on offense, he takes too many chances and gambles way too often. But at 6-7 and the potential to fill out to close to 200 pounds as his body matures, Melo’s defensive deficiencies can be fixed.

2-Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia
NBA comparison: Victor Oladipo
Scouting report: Anthony Edwards is a 6-5, 225-pound beastly shooting guard who can get buckets. He’s what most scouts would call a professional scorer. He reminds some scouts of a bigger version of Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo. Interestingly enough, Edwards played college ball for coach Tom Crean, who coached Oladipo when he was at the University of Indiana. Edwards can score in a variety of ways, but he’s most effective shooting off the dribble from midrange or behind the 3-point line. The 19-year-old averaged 19 points per game for a 16-16 Bulldogs squad that finished next-to-last in the SEC. It tells you he made and took a lot of shots on a bad team. The big red flag on Edwards’ resume is that he shot only 29 percent from 3-point range in college. But Crean warns scouts that “you’re going to miss a lot” if you’re purely judging Edwards by his shooting numbers.

3-Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
NBA comparison: Amar’e Stoudemire
Scouting report: Obi One is a late bloomer. It took a couple of years for the basketball community to take notice, but he’s got everyone’s attention now. He dominated at the mid-major level, leading Dayton to a 29-2 record and 18-0 in conference. If the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t cancel the NCAA tournament, Toppin and Dayton would have been a Final Four favorite. The 6-9 forward was the consensus national player of the year in college basketball, winning the Naismith and Wooden awards. He’s fundamentally sound, understands spacing and operates well in pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations. Toppin is a smooth, versatile athlete who can play out in the wing or play a traditional power forward. He is compared to former Phoenix Suns star Amar’e Stoudemire for the way he dunks. If there’s one knock on him is that he’s 22 and may have already hit his ceiling. But who needs a ceiling if you can dunk like Obi One.

4-James Wiseman, F-C, Memphis
NBA comparison: Chris Bosh
Scouting report: James Wiseman is a tough one to evaluate since he only played three games at Memphis before shutting it down following an ugly eligibility battle with the NCAA. Wiseman, 19, has immense potential and has all the physical tools to be a dominant center. He has a great frame with long arms and excellent agility. He runs the floor well and is a high-level athlete for a 7-footer. What worries some teams is his lack of aggression. He can get pushed around, which is bad news if he’s going to play center full time. He’ll need to fill out more (listed at 235 pounds) and develop some upper body and lower body strength. He also relies a little too much on his left hand, but that appears to be the case for most lefties (look up James Harden, Lamar Odom, Manu Ginobili). Wiseman may have some black marks on his basketball resume, but the talent is undeniable. He can potentially be a 20-and-10 guy at the pro level and fit in any system.

5-Onyeka Okongwu, F-C, USC
NBA comparison: Serge Ibaka
Scouting report: Onyeka Okongwu was LaMelo Ball’s high school teammate for two seasons at Chino Hills, and a member of two California high school state championship teams. The two-time California high school player of the year has all the physical tools to be very good pro. The 6-9, 235-pound forward-center is blessed with soft hands, which enables him to catch seemingly every lob pass you throw to him near the rim. He’s also an outstanding shot blocker who can anchor a defense. Okongwu, 19, was one of the few brights on a disappointing season for the USC Trojans. His defense is ahead of his offense at this stage of the game but his offense is quickly catching up. He was mainly a roll guy in Andy Enfield’s scheme at USC, but he’s capable of facing up or playing with his back to the basket. Having played with the Ball brothers in high school, Okongwu is very comfortable on the big stage.

6-Deni Avdija, G-F, Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)
NBA comparison: Detlef Schrempf
Scouting report: Deni Avdija was once one of the best kept secrets in the draft, but the cat is out of the bag now. NBA execs are well aware of his talent and potential. The 19-year-old prodigy has been playing professionally for three years in the Euroleague for Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv. The 6-8 wing player has an intriguing skill set. He plays an all-around game with a deadly 3-point stroke. He is comfortable handling the ball or playing off the ball. He shoots with confidence and can put the ball on the deck if you run at him. What makes him different than most European players is he’s got a little bounce to his game and can finish strong at the rim. He’s got a great feel for the game, something he picked up from his father, Zufer, who also played professionally in Europe. Avdija is poised to become only the third Israeli to play in the NBA, after Omri Casspi and Gal Mekel. If a team is willing to roll the dice, Deni could be the steal of the draft.

7-Isaiah Stewart, F-C, Washington
NBA comparison: Montrezl Harrell
Scouting report: When you see Isaiah Stewart you see an imposing player who looks like he’s been living inside a weight room. He’s a rugged player who has an NBA-ready body. He’s Dwight Howard without the hops. He’s not a fluid athlete, a bit herky-jerky at times, but he brings a lunch-pail mentality to the table. Stewart averaged 17 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and shot 59 percent in his one season at Washington. He uses his 6-9, 250-pound frame very well and doesn’t shy away from contact. He compares favorably to super sub Montrezl Harrell. Stewart isn’t a polished player on offense, but he makes up for it with energy and effort. He has a high motor and loves to compete. He arguably outplayed his competition in high-profile matchups against top 2020 prospects James Wiseman, Onyeka Okongwu and Zeke Nnaji. “I feel like I am someone who can play in an NBA game tomorrow physically,” Stewart told ESPN.

8-Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State
NBA comparison: Andre Miller
Scouting report: Haliburton was difficult to evaluate because he’s so unique. The closest NBA comp was Andre Miller. Miller played 17 years in the NBA for various teams. He didn’t wow you with anything he did on the court. He was solid and consistent. That’s Haliburton in a nutshell. Tyrese is not an explosive athlete. He plays a below-the-rim game and his shot looks … um … unorthodox. He shoots it on the way up and he doesn’t get much lift. It’s not the type of shooting form you teach young players. But it works for Haliburton. His sophomore season at Iowa State was cut short by a wrist injury, but he was still named second team All-Big 12 despite missing games.

Caption credit: LaMelo Ball played one season for the Illawarra Hawks in New Zealand. (Getty Images)