USC guard JuJu Watkins declares LeBron James the GOAT and backs the Philadelphia 76ers to win the 2027 NBA title, swapping an initial pick for the New York Knicks. She cites the Sixers' deep roster—LeBron, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe—and their 9-2 Eastern Conference record. Watkins also notes her recent sneaker collaboration with LeBron and cites Kobe's 6s as her favorite shoe. The interview, part of SLAM's November issue, also reveals her picks for WNBA GOAT (Maya Moore) and other basketball favorites.
Backup point guard Tyler Kolek sparks firestorm after labeling Taylor Swift the “fakest” Knicks fan on the Deflected podcast. Kolek’s remarks, referencing Swift’s celebrity game‑day appearances, draw backlash from Swifties, prompting his girlfriend Lexi Sousa to post a “Tyler’s Version” Instagram carousel and defend him with a tongue‑in‑cheek “Eras Tour attendee” comment. Teammate Jordan Clarkson even videos himself singing “Blank Space” to ease tensions. The controversy revives debate over celebrity presence at Knicks games, especially after Swift’s recent appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals.
The Toronto Raptors have passed on signing 2024 No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham, opting instead for guard Kevin McCullar Jr. The Raptors converted Jaden Bradley’s two‑way deal into a standard contract and filled the remaining two‑way slot with McCullar, who posted 16.8 points, 6.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 14 G League games after averaging 2.4 points with the Knicks last season. Dillingham, who bounced from Minnesota to Chicago and was waived by Charlotte, remains a free agent. Toronto now focuses on McCullar’s development alongside Nate Bittle and Malachi Smith.
Miles McBride proved his value for the Knicks beyond scoring in the 109‑97 win over Cleveland on Nov 7, 2026. In 15 minutes he posted a plus‑14 rating, defended star Donovan Mitchell and hit one of three three‑point attempts. Coach Tom Thibodeau can use McBride as a defensive‑first guard, pairing him with either a creator or another reserve to balance offense and spacing. The article argues that his flexibility, not a single scoring outburst, should secure his role while Jalen Brunson rests, and suggests leveraging Tyler Kolek’s playmaking as a complementary option.
Knicks guard Tyler Kolek sparks controversy after calling Taylor Swift’s Knicks fandom “performative” during a Deflected interview. After teammate Miles McBride warned him that Swifties would be upset, Kolek backtracks, apologizing and proving he’s a genuine fan by belting out “Blank Space” in the locker room after the Knicks’ 112‑108 win over Cleveland on Nov. 7. The organization praised Swift’s longtime support, while fans wonder if Kolek’s Swiftie display will ever earn him a stage cameo.
Andre Drummond provided a spark for the Knicks without scoring a point in their 109-97 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 7, 2026. In just 14 minutes, he grabbed eight rebounds (two offensive), added two steals and a block, and helped the team outscore Cleveland by 10 points while he was on the floor. The article notes his limited shot total but emphasizes how his rebounding and defensive presence allows starter Karl‑Anthony Towns to rest, offering valuable minutes and extra possessions without needing a high usage rate.
The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Charlotte on Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. ET for a showdown with the Hornets, hoping to climb above .500 after a loss to the Knicks. The game airs locally on DAZN (Cavs) and DAZN‑CHA/WAXN (Hornets), with streaming via Fubo, Prime Video, DAZN or NBA League Pass. Cleveland lists Jarrett Allen as questionable, while Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson and Nae’Qwan Tomlin are out, pushing rookie Meleek Thomas into a larger role. Charlotte battles multiple absences, including Dennis Schröder and Kon Knueppel, and will rely on Coby White, Grayson Allen and Naz Reid. The article also previews the Cavs’ upcoming road slate through mid‑Nov.
After winning a championship with the New York Knicks, 23‑year‑old forward Jeremy Sochan fails to make an NBA roster and lands with the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate, as the No. 1 overall pick in their draft. He debuts with 24 points (9‑of‑13 shooting), two rebounds and two assists, but the Legends fall 108‑91 to the Mexico City Capitanes, leaving Sochan with a –13 plus/minus. Formerly a 2022 No. 10 pick by the Spurs and briefly with the Knicks, Sochan now aims to use his G League play to earn an NBA comeback.
The Warriors aim to trade Kristaps Porzingis before Dec. 16, leveraging his partially guaranteed contract and potential buyout before the Feb. 11 deadline, while likely keeping Moses Moody. Meanwhile, the Kings dealt Nique Clifford to the Thunder for two second‑round picks, clearing $6 M of luxury‑tax space and opening a roster spot to chase free‑agent guard Gabe Vincent or Kevin Porter Jr. Jeremy Sochan opts for a G‑League stint with the Mavericks’ Texas Legends to earn an NBA call‑up, and the Raptors sign former Knick Kevin McCullar Jr. after considering point guard Rob Dillingham. All moves were detailed in Stein’s latest newsletter.
The Portland Trail Blazers dropped their Emirates NBA Cup group opener, losing 124-118 to the Los Angeles Lakers and slipping to fourth in the five‑team group. While the mid‑season Cup often feels like a watered‑down summer league, its short history shows a strong correlation with postseason success: two‑thirds of Cup finalists—OKC, New York, San Antonio and Indiana—went on to win the NBA title or reach the Conference Finals. With the Blazers facing the Sacramento Kings next, fans might watch the Cup more closely, hoping a deep run could spark a bigger playoff push.
The Boston Celtics list center Mitchell Robinson as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks due to an illness. Robinson, who posted six points and seven rebounds in a recent win over the Charlotte Hornets, could be a game‑time decision and may only play after a warm‑up check. The 28‑year‑old, a former Knicks champion and offseason free‑agent signing, has appeared in eight games this season, averaging 5.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and shooting 62.5% from the floor. The Celtics also have several G‑League players out, while the Bucks have multiple bench players listed as unavailable.
The Raptors confirm Kawhi Leonard has finished treatment and is entering the return-to-play process, though he remains unavailable after his last game on Oct. 23. Meanwhile, Lakers star Luka Doncic sits out the Lakers’ back‑to‑back game in Detroit with lower‑back tightness, despite leading the league at 40.1 PPG. Bulls debut Nic Claxton off the bench after a hamstring strain, while Chicago also loses Norman Powell, Zach Collins and Dailyn Swain. Wizards’ Deandre Ayton exits early with a lower‑leg injury, and Knicks forward Josh Hart misses a second straight game with right‑ankle soreness.
Taylor Swift and model Karlie Kloss were spotted together at Arrowhead Stadium cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs as Travis Keltrun clinched a win over the New York Jets. The appearance marks their first public reunion in years, ending rumors of a feud that stemmed from Swift's 2023 deal with Scooter Braun and Kloss’s omission from a 2017 music video. Both attended Swift’s July wedding to Kelce, and the Chiefs game shows the friendship is back on track. Fans note the duo’s longtime bond, which includes courtside Knicks outings and MET Gala appearances, now publicly reaffirmed.
The Philadelphia 76ers face the Chicago Bulls Sunday, Nov. 8 at 3:30 PM ET in a rematch after the 76ers’ 126‑107 win on Monday. The game airs on Chicago Sports Network and NBC Sports Philadelphia and streams live on Fubo (free trial available). Philadelphia looks to bounce back from a 119‑95 loss to Cleveland, while the Bulls aim to avenge that defeat and a recent 135‑105 loss to the Knicks. Both teams seek to improve consistency and defense as the early‑season Eastern Conference battle heats up.
Knicks guard Omer Kolek apologizes after his November 5 NBA 2K League livestream remarks questioning Taylor Swift’s loyalty to the team spark backlash. Following the Knicks’ 109‑97 win over Cleveland, Kolek admits he misspoke, saying he loves Swift’s music and was unaware of her long‑standing Knicks fandom, which includes courtside appearances and a “Stevie Knicks” shirt at the 2026 NBA Finals. The franchise issues a statement defending Swift’s support, and SNY shares a locker‑room video of Kolek singing “Blank Space” to smooth things over.
The New York Knicks have now beaten the Cleveland Cavaliers five times in a row, and another playoff loss to them might be the end for Kenny Atkinson.
After feeling the wrath of the Swifties, New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek is walking back his comments about Taylor Swift.
The Yankees’ weekly social media roundup highlights off‑field moments from the past week. While no players ran the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1, Aaron Judge’s wife and Ben Rice’s girlfriend were among the 60,000 participants. Left fielder Cody Bellinger proudly posted his new Gold Glove and AL Platinum Glove awards. Former pitcher Masahiro Tanaka turned 38, receiving birthday wishes from Luis Severino and Gerrit Cole’s wife. Aaron Judge was spotted at MSG for a Knicks game, and the Curry family shared a Halloween Addams‑family costume post.
Karl‑Anthony Towns powers the Knicks to a 109‑97 win over the Cavaliers on Nov. 7, scoring 29 points and pulling down 13 rebounds, including five offensive boards that sparked extra possessions. Jalen Brunson adds 31 points and nine assists, lifting New York to a 5‑4 record. The article highlights how Towns' interior hustle and rebounding complement his shooting, giving the Knicks a versatile frontcourt while balancing spacing concerns. It notes that while the victory is decisive, future matchups will test how the Knicks blend size and perimeter play.
Former NBA forward Barry Clemens, who played for the Knicks, Bulls, SuperSonics, Cavaliers and Trail Blazers, dies at 83 on Oct. 26, 2026. A 1965 draft pick from Ohio Wesleyan, Clemens posted a career‑high 9.3 points in 1967‑68 and averaged 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds over 11 seasons. The Cavaliers highlighted his 143 games with the team and his 2009 Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame induction. Beyond basketball, he was celebrated for his generosity, love of reading and lifelong sports passion. A memorial service is set for Nov. 24 in Cleveland.
Former NBA forward Tyler Hansbrough recalled an incident involving Ron Artest during a game against the New York Knicks, admitting that he decided against confronting him.
The post Tyler Hansbrough admits fearing confrontation with Ron Artest appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
The Knicks beat the Cavs 109-97 on Nov. 7, 2026, sparking a flood of Coach Mike Brown comments on the win, bench production and rotation choices. Brown praises Landry Shamet’s near‑starter role, backs Tyler Kolek over José Alvarado as backup point guard, and highlights Josh Hart’s defensive versatility. Karl‑Anthony Towns reflects on the Cavs’ experience after their Eastern Conference finals clash, while rookie Tyler Kolek jokes about misreading Taylor Swift’s Knicks fandom. The post mixes game recap, player insights and locker‑room banter.
The Knicks sit just above .500 after a win over Cleveland and face a packed week of games. On Tuesday they host a struggling Milwaukee Bucks team that has lost five straight and sits last in the East, marking the season’s first Knicks‑Bucks matchup since a 127‑98 Knicks victory on Feb. 27. Wednesday brings a home rematch with the Cavaliers, who fell 109‑97 four nights earlier as Jalen Brunson poured in 31 points. The week closes on Friday with a road game at Indiana, where the Pacers’ 3‑7 record could improve if Tyrese Haliburton returns from injury. Key players to watch include Brunson, Karl‑Anthony Towns, and Milwaukee’s Tyler Herro.
Jalen Brunson ignited the Knicks’ 109-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 7, 2026, scoring 31 points and dishing out nine assists. His 18‑point streak in the second quarter turned a 1‑point deficit into a 10‑point halftime lead, while Karl‑Anthony Towns added 29 points. Brunson’s playmaking balanced the offense, showing he can create for teammates rather than dominate every possession. The win improves New York to 5‑4 and continues their recent dominance over Cleveland, who they swept in last season’s Eastern Conference finals. The article highlights how Brunson’s versatility fuels the Knicks’ resurgence.
Jeremy Sochan, the former 9th‑overall pick who spent four seasons with the Spurs before winning a 2026 championship ring with the Knicks, holds his first press conference as the Texas Legends' first‑overall G‑League draft pick. After being waived by Portland following preseason, Sochan reflects on the setbacks, emphasizing growth and a "it is what it is" mindset. He recounts learning of his Spurs release from a teammate and looks ahead to the Legends' season opener tonight in Mexico City against the Capitanes. The thread invites Spurs fans to discuss his journey from NBA champion to G‑League starter.