For years, New York Knicks fans waited for a moment that many wondered would ever come. Now, with the franchise’s historic NBA Finals run culminating in its first championship since 1973, the excitement has extended far beyond Madison Square Garden.

From subway entrances in Manhattan to illuminated landmarks hundreds of miles away, one thing has become clear: the Knicks didn’t just capture New York; they painted it blue and orange.

The NBA Finals Were a Statewide Celebration

The celebration began well before the championship was won. As the Knicks advanced through the playoffs and into the NBA Finals, New York embraced the team in a way rarely seen in professional sports.

Governor Kathy Hochul directed 15 state landmarks, including Niagara Falls, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Moynihan Train Hall and One World Trade Center, to light up in the Knicks’ signature colors after Game 1 of the Finals.

Days later, another round of landmarks glowed blue and orange ahead of Game 3, reinforcing that the excitement stretched far beyond New York City and reached every corner of the state.

The message was simple: this wasn’t just the city’s team anymore. For the first time in decades, the entire state rallied behind the Knicks.

The MTA Joined the Movement

Ahead of the Finals, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority transformed entrances outside Penn Station into blue-and-orange displays complete with basketball-themed lighting, creating a photo opportunity for thousands of fans heading toward Madison Square Garden.

According to reports, MTA employees even spent extra time ensuring the orange paint perfectly matched the team’s iconic color scheme.

Normally just another subway entrance, the station became a destination itself. Fans stopped to take pictures, record videos and celebrate before ever stepping inside the arena.

It perfectly represented how deeply the Knicks had become woven into everyday life throughout New York.

There Were Knicks Watch Parties Everywhere

With Finals tickets reaching prices beyond what many fans could afford, New Yorkers found another way to experience the moment together.

The city hosted official watch parties in Bryant Park, Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl while bars, restaurants and neighborhoods across the state filled with fans wearing blue and orange.

Even people with no tickets to Madison Square Garden found themselves surrounded by thousands of fellow supporters sharing every basket.

Whether someone watched from Buffalo, Albany, Long Island or a packed sports bar in Manhattan, the feeling remained the same. Complete strangers high-fived, hugged and celebrated together after every victory.

The Knicks’ Run Became More Than Basketball

The Knicks’ Finals run became more than a championship chase — it became one of the few moments capable of bringing an entire state together.

Artists painted murals honoring players like Jalen Brunson across the city. Businesses decorated storefronts in blue and orange. Even bakeries and restaurants introduced Knicks-themed food to celebrate the team’s success.

For weeks, basketball became New York’s common language.

The Knicks gave New Yorkers a reason to gather in public again. Streets filled after wins. Cars honked through neighborhoods late into the night. Fans packed parks, bars and public plazas simply to experience the games together.

The run was capped off by a monstrous championship parade in Manhattan, putting a bow on a truly magical two-month run.

The post The Knicks Turned All of New York Orange and Blue appeared first on The Lead.

Every year, in the middle of winter, the NFL season has just ended, and the baseball season is usually around the corner. Still, one tournament usually takes the whole country by storm: March Madness, the biggest college championship. For all of March, the whole country’s eyes are glued to their TVs as 68 teams battle for a basketball championship.

For decades, fans have viewed March Madness as the greatest collegiate tournament in the country. Every year, fans see contenders fall, and Cinderellas make unexpected postseason runs. The chaos is part of what makes the event iconic.

But the 2026 NCAA Baseball tournament is changing many people’s views of the sport, even prompting some viewers to wonder: Is this better than March?

This year, we have seen top seeds go down, like No. 1 overall seed UCLA, which fell in their regional, and No. 2 overall seed Georgia Tech, which fell in THEIR regional a day later. Fans across the country watched in disbelief. This was the second straight tourney where the top two seeds failed to reach Super Regionals.

This year, we saw two teams make it to Omaha for the first time, a Cinderella run by Troy, and a record-breaking five SEC teams make it to Omaha (where the final eight teams play).

This year has had it all, from viral singing to breakout stars.

The 2026 College World Series Started With Chaos in Regionals

In what should be called May Mayhem, chaos took over in regionals which took place from May 29 to June 1. In the four days, out of the 16 national seeds, only nine made it out. With those teams being No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 North Carolina, No. 6 Texas, No. 7 Alabama, No. 11 Oregon, No. 14 Mississippi State, No. 15 Kansas, and No. 16 national seed West Virginia.

Not only did we have seven national seeds fall at the start of the tournament, but also history was made for the first time in NCAA baseball tournament history. When two No. 4 seeds reached the super regionals in the same season: Little Rock and St. John’s.

This is the kind of weekend that made fans go wild. Basketball has the dramatic stories of buzzer-beaters and Cinderella making deep postseason runs. They don’t win the tournament, and it’s always rare to see a mid-major school win March Madness. But in college baseball, you see mid-majors become powerhouses and Cinderellas dance their way to the championship.

Cinderella Takes Center Stage

In college baseball, we saw Cinderella take the stage, like when Milwaukee beat Auburn 13-8, sending Auburn to the loser bracket, or when St. John’s took down Florida State. Troy was in the running for the title until just a few days ago. Cinderellas make a living off this tournament.

Just 18 years ago, the tournament saw Fresno State, a No. 4 seed (equivalent of the 15 seed or 16 seed in March Madness), win it all when they beat the No. 8 national seed, Georgia, 6-1 in Game 3 of the championship to win the school’s first men’s national title in any sport and the school’s second national title all-time after they won the 1998 women’s softball national title.

While Fresno may be the best example, tons of mid-major schools have had success in the tournament. Just last year, Coastal Carolina made it to the championship game before falling to LSU. Here are the rest of the mid-majors to win the College Baseball World Series:

• Holy Cross (1952)
• Cal State Fullerton (1979, 1984, 1995, 2004)
• Wichita State (1989)
• Pepperdine (1992)
• Rice (2003)
• Coastal Carolina (2016)

While it’s still rare, it’s more likely to happen than in basketball, which hasn’t had a mid-major win since 1990, when UNLV did it.

This is the main appeal of college baseball. In this sport, fans believe a Cinderella can win the whole thing, and history proves they’re right. When the tournament starts, there’s always a team that’s looking to crash the party and make its run to not only Omaha but also the chance at the title as well.

Why Are Fans Paying Attention to the CWS Now?

While Cinderella lives, so does power conference domination, specifically the SEC, which has five of the eight teams represented in Omaha. The SEC is looking to have the tournament’s sixth-straight national champion. As impressive as this is, what the college baseball postseason delivers is an atmosphere where teams like Troy and West Virginia compete with those giants, bringing people from across the nation for playoff baseball.

We have had several viral moments, like West Virginia singing “Country Roads ” on national TV.

College baseball isn’t the niche sport it was 20 years ago, when fans who wanted to watch it needed a radio, hoping the local station was covering it (like how West Virginia’s student radio, U92 the Moose, is doing now).

The sport is growing, and it’s just now getting the respect it deserves.

The post Is the College World Series Replacing March Madness? appeared first on The Lead.

A recent report from Sam Amick of The Athletic states that Walker Kessler “is strongly considering the prospect of a basketball future outside Utah.” 

Amick, a senior NBA writer for The Athletic, has covered the Association for the better part of two decades. He’s a reputable journalist, no doubt.

However, his reporting contradicts a lot of what’s already out there about the situation between Kessler and the Jazz.

Kessler Had a Fantastic 2024 Season

During an arduous 2024-2025 season, Kessler became a beacon of hope. The young center averaged 11.1 points, 2.4 blocks, 1.7 assists, and 12.2 rebounds. One of his best games of the season happened on March 7, 2025. 

In a loss to the Toronto Raptors, Kessler dominated. He scored 18 points, had 25 rebounds, and eight blocks. It finally felt like the Utah Jazz found a cornerstone piece to their rebuilding franchise, but no extension came that summer.

The Center’s Frustrations Start to Boil  

After the offseason ended and players reported back to camp, Kessler became pretty vocal about his frustrations with the front office. While the center reassured the media that he still loves Utah and his teammates, he wished they offered an extension. Kessler looked to prove to the front office why he deserved a payday. 

However, the center played only five games and sat out the rest of the season with a torn labrum injury. The Jazz went through a rough year, ending their 2025-2026 campaign with a 22-60 record. Though it was another lackluster season on the court, the Jazz managed to give their fans a few surprises off the court. They traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. and acquired the second pick in the 2026 draft.

Jazz, Kessler Contract Negotiations Continue

The Kessler saga took a back seat to all the news until May 28, 2026. ESPN reported that the league felt Kessler would sign a new contract with the Jazz in the $25 million to $30 million per year range.

The ESPN article reads: “‘It appears Utah is gearing up to keep him,’ an [Eastern Conference] scout said. “I don’t see an obvious fit in free agency for someone to try to get him. They’re going to be in an interesting spot next season, and I’m excited to see how they navigate all of it.'”

Jazz Nation finally had some room to breathe until Amick released his recent report on June 15, 2026. As per usual, the sports world continues to circle the Jazz like a shark around a wounded seal. Trade proposals, rumors, and reasons why nobody likes Utah continue to circulate.

The Jazz Are Not Fazed by the Noise

Though the rest of the league continues to lick its chops, the Jazz front office ignores the chatter. In a recent podcast, reporter Zach Lowe stated that the Jazz made Kessler an offer and won’t let the noise deter them.

“From what I’ve heard, they’ve made Walker Kessler a pretty fair offer, an offer I would consider pretty fair,” said Lowe. “Like a dollar amount that I think people would be like, ‘wow, he’s turning up his nose at that?’”

According to ESPN sportswriter Tim MacMahon, the Jazz offered a five-year, $140 million contract (it’s still on the table), and the center feels he’s worth more.

Lowe continues, “When other teams began investigating the trade market for Walker Kessler last year”, stated Lowe. “Obviously, then, some numbers are kicked around theoretically, and they’re pretty high… I think there’s an honest intent there to bring back Kessler.”

Are There Alternative Solutions?

For a fanbase that loves the blue-collar, work-hard-every-day attitude that John Stockton and Karl Malone brought to the team, this isn’t going to sit well with them. Now, if Kessler truly wants to leave the Jazz, there are alternative routes the Jazz can take. A sign-and-trade is the first thing they can do. Teams dealing with disgruntled restricted free agents use this tool all the time.

In fact, the Jazz were part of a sign-and-trade for Collin Sexton when they traded away Donovan Mitchell. If Kessler is part of a sign-and-trade, it ensures the Jazz receive players or other assets in return.. Looking for another player in free agency could benefit the team as well. If Kessler commands too much money, the Jazz could let him walk and look for cheaper options in this upcoming free agency. 

Mitchell Robinson, Isaiah Hartenstein, and the Jazz’s very own Jusuf Nurkic highlight the upcoming class. Though not as skilled as Kessler, these few players could provide cheaper options for the Jazz to remain under the salary cap.

Walker Kessler Is Staying Put

What Amick reported is old news to the Jazz front office. They value Kessler, and the center has been very vocal about his love for Utah. There are many avenues the Jazz can take to improve their roster if Kessler leaves the team. However, MacMahon and Lowe both agree that the Jazz will re-sign the center.

Even local reporters such as Ben Anderson, in a previous interview with The Lead, echoed the same sentiments. The Jazz love Kessler and hope that he will stay. The front office values the player and knows what he’s worth. However, the new CBA complicates salary discussions because it restricts teams from getting better if they spend too much over the cap.

In a loaded Western Conference where the center position really matters, the Jazz will need a player like Kessler. With Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs running the West, big man depth is critical.

The Ainges planned for this situation and will find common ground to re-sign Kessler to a fair deal; if not, they have other ways to improve the team. But as of right now, Jazz fans can rest easy and know Kessler should be a Jazz man by October.

The post Is Walker Kessler’s Time with the Utah Jazz Over? appeared first on The Lead.

For much of this decade, the Atlanta Hawks found themselves all over the place. The franchise swung between rebuilding, developing, and competing at an elite level.

Atlanta’s recent decision to extend Snyder stems from his on-court results and strong player development. Jalen Johnson flourished under the head coach, earning his first All-Star and All-NBA selections. The same can be said for Dyson Daniels (2025) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (2026), both of whom have earned back-to-back Most Improved Player honors with the Hawks. Snyder became the first coach to achieve consecutive MIP winners in this span.

Now, the franchise is hoping Snyder can keep the team’s newfound momentum going.

The Atlanta Hawks’ Biggest Success Story

The Hawks’ strongest argument for extending Snyder does not necessarily lie in Snyder’s coaching record. However, it certainly helps considering the team’s performance in the 2025-26 season, especially after the departure of Trae Young.

Snyder led Atlanta to a 46-36 record last year, guiding the Hawks to their first Southeast Division title in five years. The franchise also returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2022-23. The regular season result marked a six-win improvement from the prior year, as well as the franchise’s most total wins since 2015-16.

In January 2026, the Hawks traded Young, a four-time All-Star, to the Washington Wizards in a deal involving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Many teams can struggle after a major, mid-season move involving a franchise player, such as when the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025.

Before the Luka deal, the Mavericks were roughly 26-23 and in playoff contention. After the trade, they went 13-20 the rest of the way, finished the season 39-43 overall, and missed the playoffs outright.

Snyder, on the other hand, adapted very well, leading the Hawks to a 28-15 record and a playoff berth after the franchise dealt away Young. Throughout the post-Trae streak, players like Johnson and Alexander-Walker adapted to the increased offensive responsibility. Together with Snyder, their performance ultimately led to team success and accolades for both players.

Several Players Took a Leap Under Quin Snyder

Daniels, the 2024-25 MIP, was acquired via trade by the Atlanta Hawks and transformed into a two-way player under Snyder.

Two years ago, he averaged 14.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 3.0 SPG. He also led the league in total steals with 229. His average of three steals per game was also the highest season average since Alvin Robertson in 1990-91.

In 2025-26, Daniels maintained his production. He averaged 15.5 PPG and stayed one of the league’s best defenders, earning an All-Defensive Second Team nod.

Alexander-Walker, the reigning MIP of the league, arrived from the Minnesota Timberwolves last offseason. Despite only averaging 9.4 PPG the year before he joined the Hawks, NAW saw a drastic improvement in year one under Snyder. He averaged 20.8 PPG — more than double his career scoring average — along with 3.4 RPG and 3.7 APG during the regular season.

“Nickeil’s dedication, continual work on his craft, and the ensuing results this season make him incredibly deserving of this award,” Snyder said after Alexander-Walker earned the MIP award. “He has a tireless work ethic and a focus on improving in every aspect of his game. His game continues to evolve, and his commitment and unselfish attitude as a teammate have also positively impacted the success of the team.”

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Finally, there’s Johnson, the most key player for the franchise going forward. He averaged 22.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 7.9 APG while shooting 49% from the field last year. His extension further proves the Hawks are now all in with this trio that Snyder has worked tirelessly with to develop over the past couple of years.

A Promising Future For Hawks Under Snyder

The Atlanta Hawks didn’t re-sign Quin Snyder because of one 46-win campaign and a few playoff wins against the New York Knicks. Rather, the extension is a bet that the front office believes he is the right coach to lead the next era of great Hawks basketball and continue finding diamonds in the rough.

Whether that bet pays off will depend on what happens over the next several seasons. But for now, the message is clear: Quin Snyder is part of the future, and the players improved under him are expected to perform at the elite level they have demonstrated.

The post Hawks’ Quin Snyder Proved He’s Worth Betting On appeared first on The Lead.

It’s been just over three years since the Denver Nuggets’ first NBA championship. Since then, plenty has happened with the team.

While Denver remains a contender with Nikola Jokić, the roster has seen immense changes since 2023. Although the core of Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon are still in place, many of the pieces that contributed to the title run are either gone or no longer the same players they once were.

Following the Nuggets’ worst playoff performance since 2021–22, there are growing concerns about Denver’s current roster construction and how much longer the Nuggets can contend. With the Western Conference becoming more competitive, Denver cannot afford to ignore the internal issues threatening their limited title window.

The Denver Nuggets’ Aging Core

Age is emerging as one of the biggest threats to the Denver Nuggets’ championship window.

Murray is approaching his thirties. Gordon and Jokić are already there. This is a worry as age is one of the primary factors in determining how long a team can remain in the title hunt. Though Murray and Jokić performed at a prime level this past season, Gordon began showing signs that his age may be catching up to him. 

Gordon recorded just 42 dunks in the 36 games he played in 2025-26. Had he maintained the same rate over an 82-game season, he would have finished with around 96 dunks. This would have been the lowest number of dunks he’s recorded in a season during his tenure with Denver.

While age isn’t the sole contributor to this trend, it’s a reminder that the Nuggets’ core will not remain at their peaks forever.

Some data shows how much NBA players tend to decline after they turn 30. If the Nuggets’ core follows this trend, there is a limited window to compete for a championship while they remain at the top of their game.

Nuggets’ Roster Faces Continued Threat of Injuries

Injuries plagued the 2025-26 Denver Nuggets.

The team trotted out 28 different starting lineups last year. The number of injuries Denver had to deal with was unusually high.

This was evident in a midseason game against a mostly healthy Philadelphia 76ers squad. In this game, the Nuggets were without the entire starting lineup. Although Denver still won this game, similar situations occurred throughout the season. The Nuggets often played without multiple starters. Even Jokić missed 17 games, the most he’s ever been absent for in a single season.

The most significant injury on the Nuggets was to Gordon, who dealt with lingering hamstring and calf issues all year. Gordon played only 36 games this past season, a career low over his 12 years in the league. Athleticism is one of Gordon’s greatest attributes. Lower-body injuries can hinder his explosiveness, impacting his effectiveness on both ends of the floor. This will be a situation to continue monitoring over the next season.

Murray did have one of the healthiest seasons of his career, playing 75 games, which was his most since 2018-19. However, as he has torn his ACL in the past, the risk of future injuries remains a concern. 

Uncertainty with Nuggets’ Depth Chart

Depth is essential if the Denver Nuggets want to win another championship.

Thankfully, Denver acquired strong bench depth during the previous offseason. It proved to be valuable in 2025-26, as the Nuggets went 11-6 when Jokić was sidelined with injury. 

However, key contributors such as Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown are both free agents this offseason. With the possibility of also losing Peyton Watson to free agency, Denver could quickly face similar depth concerns that affected the roster in previous years.

The Nuggets experienced firsthand how important depth can be during the 2025-26 season. Injuries forced role players to shoulder a larger load. Watson was the biggest beneficiary, blossoming into a nearly-15-point-per-game scorer. 

Denver’s bench often helped keep the team competitive, despite key absences. If Hardaway, Brown, or other contributors depart, the Nuggets may once again be forced to rely heavily on their starters. This could increase the risk of injuries over the course of the season, even more than last year. The Nuggets’ depth could determine if they remain true contenders next season.

Ultimately, these internal threats will shape how long the Denver Nuggets’ championship window lasts.

The post What Are the Biggest Threats to Nuggets’ Championship Window? appeared first on The Lead.

The last few months have been rather odd for the Denver Nuggets.

Denver entered the playoffs as true contenders, only to be comfortably defeated in the first round by an injury-ravaged Minnesota Timberwolves squad. Since then, nearly every player on the roster, outside of Nikola Jokić, continues to be involved in trade rumors.

In March, the Nuggets were a true threat. Now, fans have no idea who will even be in their starting lineup next year.

They could bring back Peyton Watson or let him walk. They could trade either Christian Braun or Cameron Johnson to make room for Watson, or to move on from either. Frankly, dealing Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon for another star is also in the cards for the Nuggets. Simply put, as of now, it’s anyone’s guess what the final roster will look like.

However, starting lineups don’t win championships alone. Depth does. Here’s an updated look at all the rumors regarding Denver’s starting five and their bench. Or, more accurately, who the Nuggets could add to it.

The State of the Denver Nuggets’ Bench

Last season, the Nuggets’ bench unit included Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones, and Jonas Valančiūnas. Meanwhile, Julian Strawther, Zeke Nnaji, and others were sprinkled in here and there.

Unfortunately, due to a variety of injuries, this unit was often incomplete. Watson missed significant time due to injury. Jones only began playing in his absence. So, evaluating them at face value is tricky.

Regardless of whether Watson stays or leaves, it is highly unlikely he comes off the bench next year. The odds of Denver keeping Watson, along with Braun, Johnson, and Gordon, seem implausible. As of now, Strawther would likely take Watson’s bench spot.

Overall, that’s still a decent bench, but it’s not perfect.

Strawther has been inconsistent, Brown isn’t a true point guard, and nobody in the unit is a true shot creator. There’s also the fact that Hardaway and Brown are currently unrestricted free agents, while Jones is a restricted free agent. Neither of the aforementioned trio is guaranteed to be on the team next year. So, what can Denver do to secure a championship-caliber bench unit?

Bruce Brown’s Uncertain Future with the Nuggets

Denver Nuggets fans love Brown. He played a crucial role as the sixth man on Denver’s 2023 championship team. His aggressive defense, solid shooting, and overall fun personality continue to make him a fan favorite.

However, his future may not align with Denver’s or the NBA’s.

Looking at team building, two archetypes of backup guards are becoming increasingly popular in the league. The first kind is the true sixth-man type that can create their own shots and put points on the board. For example, Dylan Harper, Ayo Dosunmu, and Payton Pritchard. The other type is a true point guard who hustles, defends, and makes plays. Players like Jose Alvarado, T.J. McConnell, and Cason Wallace come to mind.

Unfortunately, Brown lacks the scoring ability required to enter the first team. He also lacks the ball handling and passing to enter the second. 

Potential New Guard Options for the Nuggets

Naturally, Denver could look into getting a new guard to replace Brown. Unfortunately, the team has so much money tied up with their starters that, as of now, they will not be able to pay much for any bench player.

When filtering by guards they can afford, the list of guys better than Brown becomes quite small. At a certain point, it may make sense to bring him back. Still, there may be some available veterans or unproven players willing to take a smaller deal who could fulfill that backup guard role.

One player Denver could afford who falls into the second tier of guards is Jordan Goodwin.

Goodwin played a crucial role as a backup guard for the Phoenix Suns. He played a career-high 70 games and averaged 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. As a true point guard and a better ball handler, he could be a solid addition for the Nuggets.

The only catch: the Suns may not be too eager to let him go. Reports indicate negotiations are already underway between Goodwin and Phoenix.

Another interesting name for the Nuggets is Jordan Clarkson. The former Sixth Man of the Year has been one of the best bench scorers over the last decade.

He wasn’t as ball-dominant on the New York Knicks. That said, he can still be a go-to scorer in a limited role, if needed. Additionally, he substantially improved his defense and rebounding in New York. With Clarkson heading into his age-34 season, the Nuggets could easily get him to take a smaller deal.

Denver Needs More Help on the Wing

The Denver Nuggets’ wing situation remains incredibly tricky.

Strawther is under contract for next season, but he’s not shown the ability to be a consistent contributor. Meanwhile, Hardaway Jr. just had a phenomenal season. He finished third in 6MOTY voting and averaged 13.5 points per game on over 40% shooting from three. Hardaway Jr. played so well, in fact, that he will likely go elsewhere to collect money, which the Nuggets cannot afford to give.

Thankfully for Denver, the team found a diamond in the rough in Spencer Jones, whom they will likely bring back.

That leaves the Nuggets with whatever they decide to do at point guard, plus Strawther and Jones. Clearly, they need more help.

One interesting option for Denver could be Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade. By no means is he a prolific scorer, but he brings tenacious defense, consistent rebounding, and solid shooting. Without Watson and Gordon against Minnesota, Denver’s lack of physicality proved to be a major weakness. Considering Denver may not be entering the season with both, Wade perfectly supplements that need.

Another interesting target is Khris Middleton of the Dallas Mavericks.

Middleton is coming off the last year of his three-year, $93 million contract. However, at age 34 and with a long history of injuries, he will not be commanding that amount of money this offseason.

Middleton would bring much-needed shot creation, three-point shooting, defense, and a veteran presence to the Nuggets. Having spent the last two years in disastrous situations in Washington and Dallas, it’s somewhat forgotten how much of a contributor he could be on a winning team. He was even once rumored to join Denver last season. If given a shot, he could put his two-way talent back on display.

Other wings Denver could look into are Josh Okogie, Keon Ellis, and Matisse Thybulle. All are solid role players who can defend at a high level and knock down threes.

The Center of Attention

The Denver Nuggets’ bench lineup will likely appear in one of two ways. One is with Brown, Jones, a free agent, then either Strawther or free agent number two. The other is a free agent point guard, another free agent, Strawther, and Jones. Either way, positions one through four will be addressed in these scenarios. But what about the center spot?

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As of now, Denver has Valančiūnas under contract for one more year at $10 million. The Nuggets are strongly likely to waive him.

Valančiūnas played his role well last season, but Denver can find someone else to protect the rim in limited minutes for way less money. Additionally, the Nuggets will need to save every penny they can. On that note, they are still suffering the consequences of Zeke Nnaji’s four-year, $32 million contract, which still has two years left. Expect Denver to do everything it can to move on from both.

Doing so would only leave DaRon Holmes II, Denver’s 2024 first-round pick, backing up Jokic. Holmes II missed his entire rookie season due to injury, then spent his sophomore year as a backup to the backups. He is young, athletic, and dependable around the rim. Most importantly, Holmes II remains on a cheap deal for the next two years.

Assuming the Nuggets move on from Nnaji and Valančiūnas, they’ll probably let Holmes and an incoming veteran center compete for the primary backup five role.

Nick Richards is a perfect option. Richards is a better rim protector than other targets around his price range, like Andre Drummond, Jock Landale, or Thomas Bryant. All Denver needs is someone cheap who can contest shots and grab boards while Jokić is off the floor. Richards can do exactly that. Holmes is definitely a flashier option with more upside, but Richards is a perfect safety net for the Nuggets.

Building Out the Nuggets’ Bench

Denver Nuggets’ fans will be waiting on pins and needles until July 6th, when free agent contracts can officially be signed. Until then, theories and projections remain.

Though bringing him back is unlikely, the Nuggets should do everything they can to keep Hardaway Jr., as he was tremendous last season. They have no excuse not to bring back Jones, as he was also fantastic, and doing so will not break the bank. Without Hardaway Jr., Denver should really consider Middleton or perhaps Thybulle to supplement their shooting. Middleton’s shot creation is a massive bonus. Goodwin would also be a solid get as a true point guard. The same goes for Richards at center.

Don’t be surprised, though, if Denver decides to stay quiet in free agency. If they want to add new players, there are plenty of options, as previously mentioned. But the Nuggets may opt to stay in-house.

Jalen Pickett has been consistently developing for the Nuggets. He’ll be in contention for the backup point guard role. Similarly, this could finally be the year Strawther steps up and claims a solid role in the rotation. Holmes, as a former first-rounder, could also attempt to unlock some of his potential next season.

Denver enters the offseason as a team full of question marks. There are countless ways the franchise could attack this offseason. Nevertheless, fans and the media will stay focused on the starters, but don’t forget that benches win championships, too.

The post Which Free Agents Can Nuggets Pursue to Improve Bench? appeared first on The Lead.

College football possesses by far the most raucous crowds in mainstream American sports. The largest stadiums in the United States are all college football stadiums. When drunk college students, alumni and other loud fans pack these venues, they create deafening forms of entertainment that cannot be duplicated.

In the craziest college football environments, the stadium is ROCKING from the second the players come out. The noise levels can far exceed 100 decibels. To put that in perspective, any sound above 70 decibels can damage hearing over time.

At the loudest parts of the game, players often cannot hear anything. This causes false starts, delay of game penalties and timeouts that would otherwise not be called. The deafening crowd has such a big impact on games that EA Sports applies a “stadium pulse” feature in its college football game to simulate the effects.

Of course, fanbases across the country can make the opposing team’s life hell. But these five stand out when it comes to stressing out opposing players:

5. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium has produced the loudest college football moment on record to date. During the Vols’ loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on November 18, 2023, the crowd got to 137 decibels.

The stadium holds 101,915 people, making it the sixth-largest stadium in the country. With a deep history and traditions like “Running Through the ‘T’” and the singing of “Rocky Top,” Tennessee has one of the most intimidating crowds in sports.

4. Oregon Ducks

Oregon plays with Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in the Big Ten. One might ask how on Earth it cracks the top five along with only one other Big Ten team. After all, the three aforementioned Big Ten teams have the biggest stadiums in America, seating over 100,000 each, while the Ducks can only seat about 54,000 fans in Autzen Stadium.

The answer lies in Autzen’s design. It is shaped like a potato chip, throwing all the noise back toward the field. The stadium is also carved into the ground like a megaphone, and fans are placed 10 feet closer than they are in most stadiums. This all allows Oregon fans to generate the most decibels per person among the loudest stadiums in the sport.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

The most storied franchise in college football history also has one of the wildest fanbases in the sport. With a capacity of 101,821, Bryant-Denny Stadium makes cameras shake for its biggest moments.

Fans of the Tide are used to success. Alabama has not had a losing record since 2006. Of course, with success comes energy. Furthermore, Alabama is one of the top party schools in the country. Pair that with the heated rivalries Alabama holds in the SEC, and you get a stadium that is never quiet during a game.

2. Penn State Nittany Lions

The home of the legendary Whiteout tradition: Beaver Stadium. Penn State’s reputation precedes itself, as the notorious annual Whiteout game is the most feared environment in American sports. Former college football players have spoken about not even being able to hear the person next to them.

Last season, Oregon coach Dan Lanning even brought speakers to practice to simulate the overwhelming noise of Beaver Stadium to prepare for the Whiteout game. Happy Valley has some of the most passionate fans in the sport. And while the Whiteout game is the season’s biggest event, Beaver Stadium, the second-biggest stadium in America, is filled to the brim on a constant basis.

1. LSU Tigers

Baton Rouge is a football town if there ever was one. Tiger Stadium used to be called “Deaf Valley,” as fans’ ears would be ringing for a couple of hours after the game. Its current capacity is 102,321, the fifth-biggest in college football.

Fans at LSU are openly hostile toward opposing teams, starting way before the game. They caused a minor earthquake all the way back in 1988, when there were fewer than 80,000 fans there. One can only imagine game nights at the current larger capacity.

Legendary coach Nick Saban himself noted how difficult it is to play at Tiger Stadium, especially at night. By the time the tailgating is done, fans are warmed up and ready to go.

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Similar to Penn State, LSU gives opposing teams a hard time hearing when they play at home. However, while Penn State holds the best singular-game home field advantage at their Whiteout game, an average game at Tiger Stadium is scarier than an average game at Beaver Stadium.

The post Which 5 College Football Teams Have Best Home Field Advantage? appeared first on The Lead.

The New York Knicks had a dominant run to the title, winning 13 straight games while making numerous double-digit comebacks. 

For the first time in a long time, the champions were led by a small guard, Finals MVP Jalen Brunson. Their defense gave the San Antonio Spurs fits — never giving up more than 106 points in their wins, while the Spurs averaged 119.8 points in the regular season.

Let’s review the tape on what got them to the mountaintop.

Jalen Brunson’s Masterclass Performances

Brunson scored 45 points — the third most in a closeout win in the Finals. The team captain came up clutch in the Knicks’ comeback and also countered the Spurs’ overextended defense.

In Game 4, Brunson scored a clutch basket that gave the Knicks the lead to finally climb out of a 29-point hole.

Once Brunson gets Stephon Castle’s hips to flip, Castle is at his mercy. The former Villanova product is in the lane and puts up a floater that gets a soft roll.

Brunson was incredible in isolation plays. He gets funneled to the middle of the floor on this drive.

He took what the defense gave him and touched the paint. While he can’t shake off Victor Wembanyama on a ball fake, he leans in to flip a shot before the contest. 

One of the counters the 29-year-old had was beating the Spurs’ overextended defense — when the on-ball defender starts to guard at halfcourt.

Here, De’Aaron Fox picks up Brunson three-quarters of the way up the floor:

One subtle dribble to get around Fox gets Brunson to drive aggressively and step foot into the paint. From there, Brunson doesn’t overpenetrate because he sees Wembanyama. Then, the three-time All-Star pulls up right at his spot for a jumper.  

Here’s Brunson snagging another clutch basket and beating the Spurs’ overextended defense:

Castle opening up his hips allows Brunson to blow by him. Again, Brunson steps into the paint and stops for a floater to avoid Wembanyama’s challenge. 

Brunson had answers and counters that resulted in clutch shot-making throughout the series.

Knicks’ Defense Had the Spurs in a Blender

Mike Brown and the Knicks’ coaching staff deserve their flowers for matching up with the Spurs’ offense. They had answers to the Spurs’ variations for off-ball screens and also protected the rim by going vertical on drives.

When it’s two-on-two on one side of the floor, the Spurs love having a screener for Wembanyama that allows him to get downhill on the catch. But the Knicks had no problems guarding that action. 

In the above play, Mitchell Robinson sees the screen coming and jams Wembanyama to stay attached to him. He lets go of Wembanyama to give him that freedom of movement. Robinson deflects the ball, turning it into a broken play. Now the Spurs don’t get what they want from their initial set.

Fox puts up a corner three that is off the mark, and the Knicks stop one of the toughest sets to guard.

The Spurs go with Wembanyama as the on-ball screener on the empty side here:

Mikal Bridges and Robinson play this well. It’s not a true switch — Bridges cracks back to take Wembanyama’s roll, and Robinson goes to contain the ball. Bridges immediately puts his body on Wembanyama to box out while the shot is off the mark.

The Knicks were also impressive when going vertical without fouling offensive players at the basket, like during this play.

While Karl-Anthony Towns committed at least four fouls in all five Finals games, he had a mix of great moments protecting the cup and guarding Wembanyama without the whistle being blown on him. 

First, the Knicks present drop coverage — Towns is dropping back to the rim. The Spurs gain no advantage and quickly reset.

On a guard-to-guard screen, Knicks show and recover with Brunson — he must stop the ball for a beat to give Josh Hart time to get back before returning to his man.

While Hart ends up behind the play, Towns reads and reacts. Castle enters the lane, but Towns goes vertical to force a wild shot, and the Knicks get a critical stop. Towns changed Castle’s shot into an uncomfortable hanging shot from a few feet out.

Watch this outstanding Knicks defense fly:

Devin Vassell blows by Brunson, but Bridges peel switches — where the nearest help defender takes the ball and the initial on-ball defender switches with him. Bridges forces Vassell into a dribble pickup and a pass in mid-air. 

As the ball swings, unfortunately, it becomes bad tape for Brunson as he gets beaten off the dribble again for the second time in one possession. But Hart, as the low man — the defender closest to the baseline and furthest away from the ball — reacts to Keldon Johnson’s dribble penetration. Hart plays it beautifully, goes vertical, and Johnson can’t find an angle to lay it in.

The Knicks finish the possession with stellar defense. They don’t get the initial rebound but watch Towns. On the tip, Towns sees that there’s no chance of him grabbing the board being on the other side of the rim. He stays down, waits for Johnson to gather the ball before jumping and contesting him for another missed shot below the rim.

Final Thoughts

The Knicks had one of the most unique runs to the title, winning clutch games, dominating with comeback wins that led to 13 straight postseason wins. Brunson became the first lead small guard to lead his team to the championship, while Towns quieted down the question marks of his defensive abilities. 

The post NBA Finals Film Room: Brunson’s Shot-Making, Knicks’ Defense Led to NBA Finals Victory appeared first on The Lead.

The Portland Trail Blazers just experienced one of the more confusing seasons in recent memory.

The Allen Estate agreed to sell the team to its new majority owner, Tom Dundon, last offseason. The FBI arrested Chauncey Billups on the second day of the regular season. Tiago Splitter, whom the team had hired just months prior, was elevated to interim head coach, a title he held for the entire year. The team sale went final in March, and Dundon speedran a PR nightmare in April.

Every one of the Blazers’ guards, including Scoot Henderson, who tore his hamstring two weeks before the season started, missed significant time. The two-way 20-year-old Sidy Cissoko started 26 games. By multiple accounts, at various stops, they were among the five most injured teams.

But through the turmoil, a young, largely unproven squad turned into a weathered, seasoned core. Deni Avdija became an All-Star. Toumani Camara drew more offensive fouls than anyone in history. The team made the Play-In, won the Play-In, and stole a road playoff victory over the Western Conference champions.

Now Tiago Splitter is gone, off to the Chicago Bulls. Fans are still waiting for the team to name its next head coach. Reports have come out that Portland is interested in trading for both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown.

It might be a busy offseason for the Blazers in many regards, but as far as the NBA Draft goes, it will likely be quiet.

Blazers Draft Picks:

• None

Blazers Draft Needs: 

Because of a trade made back in 2021, the Blazers had to send their 2026 first-round pick to the Chicago Bulls. That means, without a second-rounder either, Portland has zero draft picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The team could use fresh young talent as much as the next. Trading into the draft isn’t out of the question; new ownership seems aggressive enough to make a big splash, by all accounts. The Yang Hansen selection from last season was proof that if this front office really likes a prospect, they will stick their neck out to get him.

The Blazers’ biggest need is three-point shooting. They were the third-worst three-point-shooting team last season, despite shooting the third most threes. Any player they trade into the draft to get should undoubtedly be able to light it up from distance.

Blazers Draft Targets:

Cameron Carr — G/F — Baylor

If there’s anyone the Blazers decide to pay a first-round price for in a trade to go and get, it has to be Carr.

The 6-foot-5 wing has range from distance, length to defend with, and the shooting splits to prove how good his jumper looks. He torched the NBA Draft Combine scrimmage, and he would be a perfect fit as a shoot-first wing on the Blazers.

The problem is that many teams could use a player like Carr, so Portland would have to give up a hefty package to get to a spot where they could take him.

Trevon Brazile — F — Arkansas

In all likelihood, if the Blazers are going to add a player from this draft class, it’s going to be via an undrafted signing, like they did with Caleb Love last year.

If no one takes Trevon Brazile in the 2026 NBA Draft, he would fit the mold of previous Cronin-era draft choices, which are size, athleticism and potential.

Brazile is a freak athlete with a nearly 7-foot-4 wingspan who can shoot a little bit from deep. He seems to lack a natural feel for the game and a championship-level motor, but it’s rare to be able to snag an undrafted player of his caliber of athleticism. He could be worth a flier for Portland. 

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Tyler Bilodeau — F — UCLA

The Blazers need shooting, and Tyler Bilodeau can really shoot the ball. 

Bilodeau shot 43.8% from distance on 3.6 attempts per game during his two seasons at UCLA and was a 50/40/80 player overall. His lack of foot speed and athleticism will undoubtedly make defense a challenge for him, no matter where he goes, but anyone who can shoot the ball as well as Bilodeau deserves a chance in the NBA. If no one else takes him, look for Portland to sign him to a two-way contract.

The post Portland Trail Blazers 2026 NBA Draft Preview appeared first on The Lead.

It was just four seasons ago that Anthony Volpe won the battle to be the next shortstop for the New York Yankees.

He had the perfect story to be Derek Jeter’s long-time successor. A New York native playing shortstop for his favorite team, the Yankees. It’s a plot right out of a movie. As it turns out, this Bronx tale may have a sad ending in sight.

Instead of being a cornerstone in the Yankee lineup for years to come, Volpe has found himself fighting to keep the job as new talent emerges. His recent struggles have shown the Yankees that they may have overestimated his projections.

Another Year of Struggle

Volpe started the season on the IL, recovering from shoulder surgery. After nine games down in the minors, he was called up to the Bronx after Jose Caballero went down with a fractured finger. This was Volpe’s time to make a point to the organization that he is still their long-term shortstop.

Volpe took this opportunity and got off to a solid start, hitting .281 with a 156 wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) in his first 10 games back. Optimism settled in, and fans thought the 25-year-old was getting back on track after his putrid 2025 campaign. But as each game passed, the early positives quickly became negatives as reality crept in.

Since May 27, Volpe has been in a rut. In those 12 games, he is hitting .154, with one extra-base hit, and a wRC+ of 12. This slumping stretch has exposed to fans that Volpe isn’t the answer he was in 2023. Through his small sample size this season, the struggling shortstop’s metrics are down compared to his career averages.

He has only a 30 percent hard-hit rate, down from his almost 40 percent average, along with an average exit velocity of 85.1 mph per Baseball Savant. Not to mention other metrics like barrel percentage and expected slugging have tanked. Manager Aaron Boone told Talkin’ Yanks that Volpe’s been unlucky offensively, but the fact of the matter is that he has just been flat-out bad so far.

The battle of who should play shortstop is over for Volpe. Caballero has won the job, but with the surplus of injuries the Yankees have faced, Volpe will still see the field. As the Yankees are in year four of the Volpe experiment, it’s hard to justify how much longer this experiment can last.

Not the Player the Yankees Hoped For

Volpe’s recent struggles shouldn’t be a surprise. Through all four of his seasons, he’s been a below-average hitter. He has a career OPS+ of 83, where the MLB average is 100. He doesn’t hit for average, has no elite contact skills nor a solid on-base percentage. Volpe’s once potential to be a star has faded to a below-average player.

From his debut in 2023 till now, Volpe is among 37 qualified shortstops in the majors. In that pool of 37 players, Volpe ranks 34th in average, 34th in on-base percentage and 25th in slugging. It just gets worse from there as he has the sixth most strikeouts with 491 in that span, plus the fourth worst BABIP. If you just look at all his stats, he ranks in the lower quartile for almost everything. Championship-contending teams can’t have that kind of performance holding them back.

His offensive production has been lackluster, and the defensive side hasn’t gotten any better either. Volpe won the Gold Glove in his rookie season but has yet to follow up with a remarkable defensive campaign. In 2025, for instance, he led the American League with 18 errors.

With neither of his offensive and defensive abilities developing fully, this creates the debate of whether he is even a serviceable starter at the major league level.

What’s Next for Volpe

His unreliability on both sides of the field fuels the notion that his days as a Yankee are numbered. It’s clear to everyone who he is. In fact, Volpe has never had an average over .245 or an OPS above .670 in his career. He isn’t their long-term shortstop solution.

His replacement in Caballero probably isn’t the solution either, but he has been reliable. Caballero is a spark plug for the bottom of the order that the Yankees need. So far this year, he’s posted a .715 OPS with 15 stolen bases. He’s not all-star caliber, but his production has trumped Volpe’s in comparison.

Unless Volpe can explode offensively with the time he has until injured players return, the Yankees may trade or send him down. The Yankees need a catcher and a reliever, so shopping Volpe during the trade deadline isn’t out of the question. He is only 25 and isn’t a free agent till 2029. With plenty of control left, a team could gamble on him to find any potential left.

A change of scenery might be what Volpe needs. Not everyone succeeds in the Bronx; look at Sonny Gray or Joey Gallo, for example. If the Yankees can get any return for him in a package to make their current roster better, then they should pull the trigger.

A fresh start for Volpe is a very real outcome, as the Yankees have all their chips on top prospect George Lombard Jr. He has looked like the real deal down in the minor leagues as he waits to burst onto the scene. Joel Sherman of the New York Post even said, “It’s not out of the question that George Lombard is the shortstop on August 1.”

Lombard probably needs to finish the season in Triple-A, but by 2027, he will most likely be the starting shortstop. Volpe’s downward spiral has made it easy for the Yankees to choose who they should believe is the future and who is not.

The post The Anthony Volpe Experiment as Yankees Shortstop Is Over appeared first on The Lead.