~50 hours until NBA regular season basketball again… we definitely should NOT recount our favorite off-the-court NBA stories of the past week…

Today’s Lineup

🏀 30 Rocks at 30 Rock!

Our new friends at NBC partnered with the NBA to create 30 Rocks! 

No, it’s not 30 Rock with Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey, but it is at 30 Rockefeller Plaza! The NBA commissioned 30 local artists from the NBA teams’ cities to paint special 1-of-1 giant basketballs inspired by the teams and cities they represent. Seriously cool art for the game we love 🔥 

Outside one of New York’s most iconic buildings, the NBA set up a custom LED basketball half-court and is putting on special fan experiences which began on October 16 and continues through NBA opening night on Tuesday the 21st 👀 

Monday is NBA Jersey Day, and the NBA x NBC collab is giving away jerseys to fans. Sure, a LeBron or Curry jersey would be cool, but we’re really hoping to get our hands on an Anthony Tolliver "Group Economics" one 🤞  

🇺🇸 Team USA has a New Head Coach

The heir to Team USA Basketball has been chosen. But honestly, who else could it have been? 

Erik Spoelstra has been widely regarded as best coach in the NBA for years now, despite never having won a Coach of the Year Award. Spo’s leadership, adaptability, and championship pedigree make him the perfect fit to guide the red, white, and blue.  

Spoelstra’s press conference took an unexpected (and heartwarming) turn when a group of Heat players burst into the room waving mini American flags and chanting “U-S-A!” to celebrate their coach’s new role. 

With the 2028 Olympics set to take place in Los Angeles, Spoelstra now has the chance to lead Team USA on home soil, though he first has to avenge a recent FIBA World Cup history which has left a lot to be desired.  

He succeeds Steve Kerr, continuing a line of elite basketball minds at the helm. But how well do you know the rest of Team USA coaching history? 

A year after NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo passed away, a moving new documentary is airing. “Mount Mutombo” dives into the incredible life of the Hall-of-Famer and philanthropist from his roots in the Congo to his rise as one of basketball’s most respected figures.  

Watch the trailer here. 

The NBA is showing the film at the famous Beacon Theatre Wednesday October 29^th to honor one of the best players and people that has ever graced the league. If you’re located in Jalen Brunson’s city, here are free tickets: 

From fellow Georgetown hoopers Allen Iverson and Patrick Ewing to other African basketball pioneers Hakeem Olajuwon and Masai Ujiri the film talks to key players in Mutombo’s life to go beyond

Signing Off

Next time we’ll talk Out of Bounds with you, the NBA season will be officially underway!! Tunnel fits 🔜 

-Conor Geelan