Aaron Gordon Urgently Pleads With NBA to Overhaul Dangerous Playoff Scheduling

It's funny how much time we spend fixating on the NBA's regular season and analyzing everything based on that sample size when, often, the playoffs hinge on the healthiest remaining teams more than anything else.

As we prepare for both the Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals Over the coming two weeks, one could reasonably argue that the remaining four teams -- theصند Oklahoma City Thunder , Minnesota Timberwolves , Indiana Pacers , and New York Knicks — are all, at least partly, only still standing because their main rotations remain intact and healthy. These four teams with nearly 100 games of mileage on their rosters right now are especially fortunate in this regard because they're about to start two dangerous, respective schedules with games scheduled for every other night .

Yes, even when they have to travel between cities. Huh? Why?

Following a postseason marked by significant injuries to key players with heavy workloads such as the Boston Celtics ' Jayson Tatum , the Golden State Warriors ' Steph Curry , and the Denver Nuggets ' Aaron Gordon — each of which helped contribute to their respective teams' ultimate demise — it's almost like the NBA is practically begging for someone new to get hurt with such a schedule. That or the league is clamoring for a de facto "Hunger Games" for the title purely because it wants a playoff game every other night for marketing purposes rather than prioritizing the health of its best players and a better, cleaner product in its biggest games of the entire year.

Make it make sense. Because, as it stands, it doesn't.

This is an urgent conversation that Gordon urgently asked the league to modify. following his performance in a Game 7 against the Thunder despite suffering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain after getting only minimal rest and seeing injuries occur to fellow players such as Tatum and Curry.

Gordon presents a very convincing argument:

Certainly, Gordon’s viewpoint partly stems from his frustration with the challenges the Nuggets faced during their 2025 playoff campaign. Throughout approximately five weeks, Denver only experienced three stretches of rest longer than a single day. In fact, after winning a crucial Game 6 against the Thunder to force a decisive seventh game, the team had contested nine matches within a span of 17 days.

The Nuggets and Thunder surprisingly played a game that was slated on the schedule. in under 36 hours of rest It’s amazing nobody was hurt there. )

Unsurprisingly, the Nuggets found themselves exhausted by the conclusion of the game, and they sadly witnessed Gordon, a key player for them, sustain a soft-tissue injury when it mattered most.

Perhaps teams such as the Nuggets experience this issue less if they did not have to play consecutive seven-game series. They might also face fewer challenges if their rosters were more balanced rather than heavily reliant on key players. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks all addressed these concerns effectively despite having deep squads. Nevertheless, it remains highly unwise and reckless to structure the typical NBA playoff series without providing additional recovery time, regardless of whether the series reaches the full seven games or ends sooner.

Since this entire situation goes beyond the scope of just the Nuggets, Celtics, or Warriors. There comes a moment when, despite having some of the best athletes globally competing in your league, they remain human. You’re expecting far too much from individuals whose physiques mirror those of regular people like us, complete with identical physical constraints.

For those who might argue that current NBA players seem softer because they can't endure such challenges, allow me to be clear: you have no idea what you’re discussing.

Today’s players in the league excel beyond what we’ve seen before; they leap higher, sprint quicker, and display sheer power like never before. This undeniable truth comes at a cost as these professionals have played nearly half a year by the time playoff season arrives. Moreover, due to the widespread adoption of three-point shots across the board, every player must now traverse greater distances throughout each game compared to any previous era in NBA history. The demands include significantly more dashing, halting, restarting, and constant switching between positions all over the court than was required previously.

This isn’t the same game most of you probably remember from days gone by. In fact, it’s barely recognizable compared to what it was just a decade ago. That’s why many athletes often refrain from giving their full effort throughout a season that can seem never-ending at times.

They truly lack the stamina for it.

Gordon’s observation is clear and compelling for all NBA players. This is indeed an issue that requires attention from everyone involved, particularly the league and Commissioner Adam Silver, who appears attentive. It continually attempts to resolve trivial "problems." These issues are not related to safeguarding or valuing the game or its participants. In fact, the NBA’s tendency to exaggerate minor matters probably exacerbates this palpable issue with playoff scheduling. The introduction of recent (and unnecessary) in-season and play-in tournaments has essentially extended the season by about two weeks.

You know, those two weeks of time could have been distributed among all the playoff teams' postseason schedules instead. Hmmm. Those days would have come in handy, I believe!

If the NBA truly prioritizes its players, it must heed Aaron Gordon’s concerns. End of discussion. Failing to adequately address this matter would be entirely unacceptable for a league that genuinely needs to self-reflect.

The article initially appeared on For The Win. Aaron Gordon implored the NBA to alter its risky playoff scheduling.

NBA Finals: Only the Knicks Lack a Win Since 1973

The NBA’s Final Four has been determined, and just so you know, we’re going to see a brand-new champion this year.

In the Western Conference, the number one seed, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will face off against the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.

In the Eastern Conference, it's the third-seeded New York Knicks facing off against the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers.

No matter which team emerges victorious in the Thunder-Wolves series, the winner from the West will make their debut appearance in the Finals.

In the meantime, both the Knicks and Pacers have made it to the Finals, though it has been quite some time since their last appearance. The Knicks' most recent trip was in 1999 when they were seeded eighth during a lockout-condensed season. They ended up losing to the San Antonio Spurs.

In 1994, they were defeated by the Houston Rockets. Prior to that, in 1973, the Knicks emerged victorious. This victory took place during the era of Walt Frazier , Earl Monroe , Willis Reed , Dave DeBusschere , and Bill Bradley They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to win the championship.

As for the Pacers, their only trip to the NBA Finals happened in 2000, where they were defeated by the Lakers. Prior to joining the NBA, during their time in the ABA, they made it to the finals five times, winning championships in 1970, 1972, and 1973. Additionally, they appeared in the ABA Finals in both 1969 and 1975.

And yes, I realize the Thunder used to be the Seattle SuperSonics. But I don’t really include Sonics history as part of Thunder history — even though some do.

But since this is my website, I’m keeping the Thunder and Sonics as separate entities (especially since I think Seattle will have the Sonics again within the next few years as an expansion team). Also, I doubt too many people in Seattle are rooting for the Thunder. It’s been 16 years since the Sonics left for OKC.

Regardless of how you look at it, this represents an exciting new era for the NBA. Several teams that have never or rarely experienced such moments before are now stepping into the limelight. While the Thunder are considered frontrunners due to their impressive 68-14 season record, I genuinely believe the outcome remains uncertain.

If there’s one takeaway from this season, it’s clear: This could go either way for everyone involved.

Just to clarify, I believe every possible Finals pairing would be excellent. Think about Thunder versus Knicks. Or Thunder against Pacers. Also, Wolves facing off with Knicks. And let’s not forget Wolves squaring up with Pacers. Absolutely, absolutely, and twice absolutely. I'd embrace all these scenarios. From now on, the NBA feels the same way too.

Looking for more stories like this? Follow Hoops Wire on MSN to check out additional exclusive NBA coverage we offer.

More must-reads:

• The three crucial games in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals are coming up.
• Jaylen Brown's knee problems might impact the upcoming season.
• The 'NBA's active playoff assist leaders' quiz

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Trae Young's Quest to Rile Up Knicks Fans From Cancun

After the New York Knicks After winning Game 6, they moved forward to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Fans flocked to Seventh Avenue to revel in their hard-earned victory. Some climbed onto billboards, others leaped onto garbage bins amid the throng, ensuring their jubilation was unmistakable as they showcased their affection for a city that had endured numerous disappointments before this momentous win.

Another NBA all-star, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, also chimed in — this time via Twitter. sharing his thoughts regarding the over 18,000 vocal enthusiasts filling up Madison Square Garden:

Bold statement alert: Thunder supporters are more vocal than New York’s basketball enthusiasts. Enjoy your Sunday!

In the last five years, Young has solidified his position as one of the Knicks' primary antagonists, particularly after leading the Hawks to defeat New York in the first round of the 2021 playoffs within just five matches. During this series, where he scored an average of 29.2 points and dished out 9.8 assists per game, Young made a lasting impression. lasting impression With clutch shots to secure victories and even struck a pose for theMSG audience as he left the court.

Notably out of the NBA Playoffs now, Trae Young attempts to joke around with the Knicks.

Even though Young might not have shared the same level of excitement as the Knicks fans on Friday evening, Madison Square Garden surely reached one of its peak noise levels. Notable attendees such as Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Spike Lee, along with many former team members, came out in force to cheer for both the athletes and their favorite squad, which has had unwavering backing from them throughout the entire season.

Regardless of whether it was the thunderous cries of "Deuce" whenever guard Miles McBride shot a three-point attempt, or when the audience sang along with Jaylen Brown following his disqualification near the end of the third period, viewers watching from home felt compelled to verify that their television volume wasn’t accidentally cranked up excessively loud.

Sadly for Young, history hasn't been very favorable whenever he plays against the Knicks. At present, his record stands as follows: 7-17 record In his past eight matches against New York during the regular season, he has managed only 2 wins out of 8 with no game seeing him shoot higher than 38%. It might be simpler to fault the rival team's supporters when you're enjoying a three-day, four-night getaway in the Bahamas.

Young continues to stand out for Knicks supporters, with many viewing him as the new incarnation of Reggie Miller—a formidable adversary in playoff clashes. Recently though, this reputation shifted towards 76ers center Joel Embiid due to his contentious actions during the 2024 opening round games, which drew significant criticism. Even without an official announcement from the Knicks about who will take over the "villain" role following Young’s departure, keep your eyes on Tyrese Haliburton; he might soon rise to claim that position.

This article was initially published on asصندitempty Trae Young frantically attempts to annoy Knicks supporters from Cancun. .

NBA Triumph: Giannis Antetokounmpo Crowned Ultimate Scorer of the Past Ten Years

Boasting close to 19,000 points and an all-encompassing offensive transformation, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ten-year reign showcases his status as far more than merely a revered figure in Milwaukee.

Although Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t conclude the 2024-25 season as he had hoped, his impressive body of work from the last ten years has resulted in yet another significant accolade for him. The star player from the Milwaukee Bucks has been officially recognized as the top scorer for the NBA over the last decade, accumulating an impressive total of 18,983 points since 2015. This achievement places him before renowned scorers such as James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, and surprisingly, his present team mate, Damian Lillard. .

In the 2024-25 season, Antetokounmpo once more delivered MVP-caliber statistics — averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game — which served as a reminder to both supporters and skeptics that he remains at the height of his abilities. Upon learning about his latest scoring title, Giannis responded with his usual modest demeanor. However, the importance of this achievement is not overlooked by the basketball community. In a sport centered on scoring, nobody has demonstrated greater consistency, dominance, and efficiency than the Greek Freak throughout the past ten years. .

The roster of leading scorers following Giannis includes several prominent figures. In second place is Harden, who has been recognized as one of the greatest offensive players ever. Coming in at third is DeRozan, and rounding out the top four is Lillard, undoubtedly destined for the Hall of Fame. Giannis not only edged them out but also distanced himself from the competition by continuously enhancing different aspects of his gameplay every year. This demonstrates that he is far more than merely the physically gifted star Harden once described as a "run and dunk" athlete. .

indeed, Antetokounmpo’s offensive skills have developed significantly. He has developed into a more skilled passer, a better shooter, and a wiser decision-maker. His overall improvement as a player—coupled with his unyielding hustle at both baskets—has transformed the Bucks organization and set new standards for contemporary power forwards. This most recent statistic solidifies Giannis as not just a commanding presence in the current era but also as someone who will be remembered among the greatest of all time.

Nevertheless, increasing doubt surrounds Giannis' tenure in Milwaukee. Following yet another premature playoff elimination and with limited draft picks available, speculations about a possible move persist. However, irrespective of whatever happens from this point onward, Milwaukee fans have already experienced a spectacular ten years that will be discussed for many generations to come.

No matter whether he remains or departs, Giannis Antetokounmpo has etched his name indelibly into the NBA record books — and this tale is nowhere near conclusion.