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Take a deep breath and say it with us… “and we BACK!”

The NBA season is officially upon us, and we couldn’t be more hyped. With every team ready to hit the ground running, this is the time of year when truly anything is possible. Even the Wizards could be champions! Dare to dream!

Plus, a new season of Numbers on the Board is about to drop! Make sure to check out the trailer featuring our boy Peyton Manning—trust us, you don’t want to miss it. 🎬

Today’s Lineup

Full-Court Coverage

Celtics’ historic three-point barrage sinks new-look Knicks 132-109

Despite both squads being stuffed to the gills with talent, it was obvious right from the jump which team in this game had spent more time playing together. The Celtics (1-0) looked every bit like a dominant championship-winning squad, taking full advantage of the Knicks’ (0-1) lack of cohesion on the defensive end to rain in three after three after three after three after… well, you get the idea.

The end result? A record-tying 29 threes made by the Celtics and a spectacular night from Jayson Tatum (37 PTS, 8 3PM). Not to mention that it probably should have been more considering they reached that mark with nine minutes left in the game.

Despite the rough night, it wasn’t all bad for the Knicks. Their decision to bet on Deuce McBride (22 PTS) seems to be paying off early, while Cam Payne (11 PTS, 4 AST) provided a spark off the bench. Still, it looks like New York’s new pieces will need some time to gel before things really get rolling.

AD’s domination leads Lakers to 110-103 W over Minnesota

Anthony Davis MVP chants in 2024? It's not as strange as you might think.

LA’s JJ Redick era got off to a flying start behind the superstar big man, who bullied the Timberwolves (0-1) on both ends while cruising to 36 and 16 with three blocks. His impact powered a concerted effort from the Lakers (1-0) to dominate the paint as they outscored Minnesota around the basket by a whopping 32. Combine that with 8 fewer turnovers and 15 offensive boards, and you start to see how LA’s 5-30 showing from beyond the arc was almost an afterthought.

As for Minnesota, things just looked a little disjointed. Julius Randle (16 PTS) and Rudy Gobert (13 PTS, 14 REB) struggled to coexist on offense, leaving Anthony Edwards (27 PTS) with little room to cook for long stretches of the game.

And of course, we couldn't not talk about LeBron and Bronny stepping onto the court together for the first time. Show this to someone back in 2004 and there's no way they'd believe you…

Extension Extravaganza 💰

With the rookie-scale contract extension deadline on Monday, NBA teams splashed a total of over $900 million (!!!) to lock up their stars of the future. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest bags handed out to basketball’s next generation.

Houston: Jalen Green (3yr, $106m) & Alperen Sengun (5yr, $185m)

We have liftoff! After jumping from 22 to 41 wins last season, the Rockets appear to be all in on their young core. To the tune of nearly $300 million. 🤑

While Jalen Green ended last season on an incredible high note—averaging almost 23, 6, and 4 after the All-Star break—Houston made the smart move by giving him a shorter deal that expires right when they’ll need to pay their next group of youngsters. If Green can prove his run last spring was legit, this deal will be a steal.

But the bigger deal of the day was for Alperen Sengun. Molded in the image of players like Domas and the Joker, Sengun is seen in Houston as a post playmaking hub who can lead the Rockets to the promised land.

Atlanta: Jalen Johnson (5yr, $150m)

Here’s your annual reminder that we had Jalen Johnson on our breakout players list last summer (and no, we won’t stop talking about it).

After playing two seasons off the bench, Johnson blossomed into one of basketball’s most well-rounded young forwards in ‘23-’24. After Dejounte Murray’s move to New Orleans, the 2021 first-rounder is in prime position to be the Hawks' long-term #2 behind Trae Young. Oh, and he beat out Jalen Green as the richest Jalen of the day.

Wait…

Orlando: Jalen Suggs (5yr, $150.5m)

Sorry, we lied. The richest Jalen of the day was actually Jalen Suggs. The Magic’s magnificent multitool blossomed into one of the NBA’s best 3-and-D players last season, and that earned him an extension that’ll keep him in Orlando for the next half-decade.

With new addition Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sliding in at the two, Suggs will mainly be running the point this season, giving him a massive role on both ends as the team’s primary ball-handler and top PoA defender.

Other Deals

• Trey Murphy III (4yr, $112m)

• Aaron Gordon (4yr, $133m)

• Corey Kispert (4yr, $54m)

• Moses Moody (3yr, $39m)

Hoops History Spotlight 📖

In honor of KAT’s New York debut, let’s use the first Hoops History Spotlight of the season to talk about beginnings. Here are a couple of NBA first impressions that still get us hyped to this day:

MCW Breaks Basketball

Plenty of NBA hoopers peak early, but peaking in your very first game is something reserved for just one man…

Fresh from leading the nation in both assists and steals at Syracuse, Michael Carter-Williams faced the ultimate test in his pro debut: a Heatles squad coming off back-to-back championships. There would be no shame in getting blown out in such a situation.

Instead, MCW turned into a combination of prime Magic Johnson and Gary Payton for one glorious night, coming within three boards and one steal of being the first guard ever to record a quadruple-double. Things may have been all down from there for MCW, but $23 million and an all-time performance isn’t a bad legacy to leave behind.

Kyrie’s NYC Introduction

While Brooklyn's Big Three era was marred by injuries, shoes a half-size too big, and plenty of controversies, let’s not forget the absolute insanity that was Kyrie Irving’s debut in the Big Apple.

Kyrie’s first game as a Net was Kai at his absolute shiftiest. He sliced his way through guards, wings, and bigs alike, finishing time and time again with an array of tough step-backs and circus shots. The result? An at-the-time Nets record 50 points and a spot on the Mt. Rushmore of what-could-have-been buzzer-beaters…

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we’re out of here! Remember, the NBA regular season is a long grind—82 games of highs, lows, and everything in between. Just like players need to pace themselves to avoid burnout, it’s a good reminder for all of us to do the same in our daily lives. 💙🏀

Talk soon,

-Spencer Poole