🏀 This Retired Player Does What?

On Monday night, we Tweeted/posted/Xed this question because we were reminiscing about Jamal Crawford dribble combos, JJ Redick threes, and Richard Jefferson’s glistening cranium. Let us know your thoughts in the replies!

Today’s Lineup

Red, White, and Hoops 🇺🇸: Team USA has some fun while Luka takes over Europe.

Golden Years 😁: This NBA legend has the most low-key, selfless job in retirement!

Steph’s Skills 🎤: Curry shows off an insane shooting drill… and his singing chops.

Earlier this week we asked you who the youngest player in NBA history to win a ring was, and the answer was 18-year-old Darko Milicic. But now let’s cover the other side of things…

FIBA World Cup

The Kids Are Having Fun

Team USA beat Puerto Rico 117-74 in an exhibition match, which isn’t making any headlines. But what we were shocked by is how Team USA has been playing with so much joy. Throughout the game, which included an electric 20-0 run, the young guys were smiling and hyping each other up. This even lasted into the postgame, when Tyrese Haliburton and Brandon Ingram trolled Jalen Brunson by using his wallet to raid the vending machine.

The MJ of the Balkans

You know those clips of Wilt Chamberlain bullying 1960s competition and Pete Maravich dribbling circles around 1970s defenders? That seems like Luka Doncic in international competition, except it’s 2023.

We understand that an All-NBA player should dominate teams of overseas talent. But Luka’s shotmaking, physicality, and tempo control is simply dumbfounding. In a Monday scrimmage, Luka toyed with the Montenegrin squad for a 34-point triple double. Team USA even has Cade Cunningham cosplaying as Luka in practice to prepare. Shoutout to the MJ of the Balkans!

If you wanna watch international squads face off, check out the FIBA World Cup schedule to catch the action—it starts early Friday morning!

Golden Years 👴 

Welcome back to Golden Years, a bi-weekly segment where we cover what retired players have been doing in their free time since they hung it up! We’re talking about Adrian Dantley this week, the best player in NBA history that you’ve barely heard of.

Dantley’s 15-year NBA career included two scoring championships (‘81 and ‘84), two All-NBA commemorations, and eventual Hall of Fame honors. So what is this slept-on legend’s post-NBA career? Is he a head coach? A business tycoon? Maybe an ESPN talking head?

Nope. Adrian Dantley is a crossing guard.

Yes, you read that right. Dantly put down the basketball and picked up the mighty stop sign. I guess drawing up plays isn’t as exciting as picking which kids do and don’t get flattened by Ford-F150’s.

But seriously, how great is this?! And Dantley isn't in it for the big bucks—in fact, he’s pocketing just $14,000 a year for his service. But he does it because he's all about that helping hand (or helping sign, in this case).

Referral Program

Adam: Bonjour Victor! Did you know that less than 1% of Enjoy Basketball newsletter readers have referred the newsletter to their friends?

Wemby: C’est impossible! We need to fix this! I'll make sure all the rookies know. I know the Thompson twins will be a part of this positive movement!

Adam: You're the man Victor! And guess what? By sharing your link, you'll score some free swag. I'll even throw in a mini basketball hoop for your locker!

Wemby: You’re the real MVP, Adam, but every hoop is mini to me. Merci beaucoup!

Thanks, Adam! And to all of you, all you have to do is share the custom link at the bottom of your email with someone who would enjoy it and get rewarded! You can track your progress by signing into your account and navigating to “Referrals”—it’s really that easy and it helps us grow the Enjoyer community!

Frozen Moments

• This Steph Curry shooting drill is deceptively impossible!

• Four Team USA stars duked it out in an epic scrimmage…

• How in the world did he finish this layup?

What We’re Enjoying

This Loki Season 2 trailer is lowkey fire! Tom Hiddleston as Loki is troublingly charismatic as per usual, and Owen Wilson’s Mobius is just great. Take a look:

Plus, Steph is officially a Paramore stan. Chef Curry absolutely crushed it on stage Monday:

Signing Off

We’re off into the sunset (or sunrise, depending on when/where you’re reading this). Good news: it’s only for ~48 hours. Woohoo! Until next time,

-Conor Geelan

Trivia Answer: The answer is Robert Parish! The all-time leader in games played won a ring at age 43 with the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls! The Udonis Haslem of the 90’s…

Before you go…