As the internet rewards engagement over substance, the rise in critical language has been exponential. Opinions and hot takes run rampant online, even...
Caleb WalesJuly 6, 2026
Casual basketball fans might see the stats and say that Will Riley is no Cooper Flagg or Kon Knueppel — but there’s more...
Tanner PloosterJuly 1, 2026
On May 17, Shams Charania broke the news that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had been voted as the 2025-2026 NBA MVP. While a majority of...
Jack DewarJune 11, 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers’ season came to an end two weeks ago. They entered the postseason shorthanded, but the team stepped up to...
Nemahn SantosMay 25, 2026
When Chris Paul reached second all-time on the NBA’s assist list, the San Antonio Spurs had gifts for him. They presented him with...
Yasmeen HasanMay 22, 2026
It was only a matter of time before the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Luka Doncic-less Lakers were...
Nemahn SantosMay 12, 2026
After the Lakers’ 131-108 Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, their demise is inevitable. The Thunder outclass the Lakers in every...
Nemahn SantosMay 10, 2026
The Oklahoma City Thunder, the most dominant team in the league this season, has the upper hand against the Los Angeles Lakers in...
Mac PhamMay 4, 2026
The past week has turned out to be a very historic one for the NBA. Last Tuesday, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored...
Ethan HudsonMarch 20, 2026
It’s over. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wrapped up the MVP conversation. The Lead has been publishing a 2025-26 MVP ladder every two weeks. The first...
Logan StacyMarch 10, 2026
It has been three weeks since The Lead’s last MVP Ladder, thanks to All-Star Weekend. The only thing that has changed is that...
Logan StacyMarch 5, 2026
Nikola Jokic is back. With his return, every player not named Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been pushed down the list. As Jokic got healthy,...
Logan StacyFebruary 12, 2026
It’s better to view Jared McCain as a long-term project than a playoff-ready contributor. The Thunder traded Houston’s 2026 first-round pick and three...
Brandon ScobeyFebruary 9, 2026
We are at the halfway point of the NBA regular season. One week away from the trade deadline and a little over two...
Logan StacyJanuary 29, 2026
