🏀 Is This The End of Load Management?

Happy Wednesday, enjoyers! Fall is just around the corner, the WNBA playoffs start literally today, and as usual, the basketball world just keeps giving us stuff to talk about. Let’s jump in.

Today’s Lineup

Let the Stars Play ⭐ The NBA is changing its load management rules

Playoff Time ⌚ Breaking down the WNBA first-round matchups

League Them 🏀 Two FIBA ballers who deserve a shot in the NBA

Latest NBA News

NBA Announces New Load Management Rules: Crack open your laminated copy of the NBA rulebook, people, because we have some edits to make! After years of debate, Adam Silver has gotten out the fountain pen and re-written the league’s rules on load management. Here’s what you need to know:

• Teams will now be fined for resting star players during nationally televised games or resting two stars at the same time

• A star is defined as any player who has made an All-Star or All-NBA team in the last three years

• Fines will be $100k for the first offense, $250k for the second, and $1 million for each violation after that

Let us know: Do you think these new rules are good for the game? 🤔

WNBA Playoffs: Keys to the Series

It’s playoff time in the W! With the first round kicking off tonight, let’s go over what it will take for each team to win their first-round matchup.

#1 Las Vegas Aces vs. #8 Chicago Sky

Vegas: For a team as dominant as the Aces (34-6), getting out of the first round is absolutely the expectation. They can score from anywhere on the court, but the key in this matchup should be getting reigning MVP A’ja Wilson the ball in the paint as much as possible. The Sky allowed more two-pointers than any team in the W this season and won’t be able to pack the paint because of the Aces' host of talented perimeter threats, including Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young.

Chicago: The Sky (18-22) needed a late surge to even make the playoffs, but don’t count them out just yet. If Chicago makes the second round, it will most likely be on the back of their elite shooting ability. The trio of Kahleah Copper, Marina Mabrey, and Courtney Williams shot a combined 40.6% from deep in the regular season and are liable to go off on any given night.

#2 New York Liberty vs. #7 Washington Mystics

New York: Finishing as the W’s hottest team down the stretch, the Liberty (32-8) went 13-2 over their last 15 games and are finally starting to live up to the superteam label. But, it has to be noticed that one of those two losses came at the hands of the Mystics in their regular season finale. For New York, this battle will probably come down to the effectiveness of their backcourt duo. Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot are two of the most talented playmakers in the league, and they’ll need to keep the ball moving against a staunch Washington defense.

Washington: We know the Mystics (19-21) are a talented squad on paper, but health will decide if they can put up a serious fight. 2x MVP Elena Delle Donne and guard Ariel Atkins only just returned from injury, and interior defensive specialist Shakira Austin is questionable with a hip issue. If this team is at full strength, this could be a surprisingly close series (hopefully, with more shots like this.)

#3 Connecticut Sun vs. #6 Minnesota Lynx

Connecticut: Last year’s finals runner-up, the Sun (27-13), has bounced right back after losing former MVP Jonquel Jones, key role player Jasmine Thomas, and Head Coach Curt Miller last offseason. Led by triple-double machine Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut wins games on the defensive side of the ball, allowing the fewest points of any team this season. Their top priority will be keeping Minnesota’s All-Star forward Napheesa Collier in check, who finished 4th in points per game.

Minnesota: After starting the season 0-6, basically nobody thought the Lynx (19-21) would reach this point. Led by Collier with help from 2023 draftees Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász, Minnesota is this year’s feel-good story. But if they don’t want that story to end in Round 1, they’ll need to step up on defense. They ranked 10th out of 12 teams in defensive rating and will have to be better against a versatile Sun attack.

#4 Dallas Wings vs. #5 Atlanta Dream

Dallas: One of just four teams this season with a winning record, the Wings (22-18) are a well-balanced roster looking to make it out of the first round for the first time since 2009. They dominated Atlanta during their regular season encounters, in large part due to the scoring prowess of Notre Dame legend Arike Ogunbowale (26.7 PPG against the Dream). Dallas should win this series if they ride Rike’s hot hand.

Atlanta: The Dream (19-21) are in the playoffs for the first time since 2018, but if they want to make it farther than that, they’ll have to figure out a way to score against the Wings. Atlanta has shot below 38% from the field against Dallas in all three of their matchups this season, and star guard Rhyne Howard has especially struggled. If she can get going, the Dream have a chance.

League Them: FIBA Edition

The World Cup might be over, but there’s still plenty to talk about! After getting a good look at hoopers from around the world, here are two players we think deserve a chance in the NBA after their excellent World Cup performances.

1. Don’t lie: You had no idea who Artūrs Žagars was before this tournament, did you? But don’t worry, we didn’t either! After going undrafted in 2019, the young guard has been quietly honing his craft across Europe, most recently playing for Nevėžis Kėdainiai of the Lithuanian Basketball League.

So it came as a bit of a surprise when this relatively unknown hooper was the catalyst behind Latvia’s surprise run to a top-five finish at the World Cup despite missing Kristaps Porzingis. Not only was Žagars lights out from deep (41.7%), he looked like the best playmaker in the whole tournament, capping things off with a World Cup-record 17 assists in their final game and a grand total of 0 turnovers. Any team who needs a backup PG should be calling his number ASAP.

2. Nuni Omot just seems like one of those guys who we’ll be wondering why they weren’t in the NBA earlier a few years from now. The South Sudanese baller has been one of the best players outside of the US for a while now, winning the Basketball Africa League championship with Al-Alhy while becoming the first African-born player to win BAL MVP.

A versatile 6’9” forward with a 7’0” wingspan, Omot has the size to guard multiple positions and the shooting ability to be an elite 3-and-D role player. His hyper-efficient scoring (14.4 PPG on 58/52/77 splits) was a huge reason why South Sudan qualified for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Enjoy Basketball Referral Program

Remember when Luka and Book got up close and personal last season? Here’s what was said…

Book: Hey Luka, less than 1% of Enjoy Basketball newsletter readers have referrals.

Luka: No way…we need to get that number up! Let me tell my teammates to spread the word. Kyrie is going to love the movement.

Book: Appreciate you, man! You’ll even get some free swag just by sharing your link.

Take it from Book! All you have to do is share your custom link at the bottom of your email with someone who would enjoy it and get rewarded! Track your progress by signing into your account and navigating to “Referrals.” It’s really that easy and helps us grow the Enjoyer community!

Frozen Moments

• The Latvian team gets a hero’s welcome after their World Cup Run 🔥 

• Wemby’s clearly been hanging out with Jeremy Sochan 😂

• Novak Djokovic with the Kobe tribute after his 24th Grand Slam W 🕊

What We’re Enjoying

‘Die Today’ by EarthGang: Atlanta rap duo EarthGang are gearing up for the release of their third studio album, and we couldn’t be more excited. Their latest single, Die Today, is an immaculate track with more layers than a Hakeem Olajuwon post-move. Check it out 👇

Signing Off

And we’re outta here! Go enjoy the rest of your week, and remember to uplift the people around you. Everyone could use some extra support. 🙏

Until next time,

- Spencer Poole

Trivia Answer: The last player to get 10 steals in a game? Pacers guard T.J. McConnell! The former Arizona Wildcat dropped 16 points, 13 assists, and 10 steals in a March 2021 win over the Cavaliers. 🔥