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Luis Paez-Pumar

Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers prepares to shoot a free throw during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 23, 2024 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Pascal Siakam Is Taking Over

Ray Ratto

Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves fouls Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter of game two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Target Center on April 23, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Suns Are Two Losses From Organizational Disaster

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

It’s Getting To Joel Embiid

Israel Daramola

Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the New York Knicks reacts after making a three-point shot during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 22, 2024 in New York City. The Knicks won 104-101.

The Knicks Cannot Die

Tom Ley

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets scores game winning basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 22, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Jamal Murray Has Never Missed A Jump Shot In His Entire Life

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers is interviewed by the media after Round 1 Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

That’s Why You Make The James Harden Trade

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 21: Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to a three point shot during the first half of game one of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 21, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Damian Lillard’s Playoff Return Was Worth The Wait

Albert Burneko

Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns goes up amid a forest of Minnesota Timberwolves arms in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round playoffs.

The Timberwolves Are So Big And Strong

Deuce McBride of the New York Knicks rises up to shoot over Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers.

New York’s Second Unit Chased The 76ers Into The Pain Cave

UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1900: Dance Lessons for the Palace Club Basketball Team.

For Literally The First Time Ever, A “Preview” Of The NBA Playoffs

David Roth

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on April 9, 2024. I put the little Distraction logo at upper right so it looks like he's glowering at it.

Podcasts

We’re All Lifelong Nuggets Fans Here, With Patrick Redford

Nicolas Batum #40 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during the game against the Miami Heat during the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament on April 17, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nicolas Batum Ruined My Night

Jontay Porter Is The NBA’s Collateral Damage

Klay Thompson reacts after missing a shot

Kings, Inevitable Passing Of Time End The Warriors

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors &amp; LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers embrace before the game on April 9, 2024 at Cryto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images)

Eventually, Expectations Become The Fiercest Opponent

<p>Alex Prewitt is a writer in Brooklyn. He shoots free throws the normal way.</p>


Alex Prewitt

The inside of Jamsil Arena, home of the Korean Basketball League's Seoul Thunders.

Life's Rich Pageant

A Journey To Korea In Search Of The Bank-Shot Free Throw

Boban Marjanovic #51 of the Houston Rockets smiles before the game against the LA Clippers on April 14, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Boban Delivered The Chicken

Doug McDermott of the Indiana Pacers dunks during a game against the Atlanta Hawks

Pacers Escape The Play-In, Reaffirm That The Hawks Are A 10th-Place Team

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 09: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the LA Clippers at Footprint Center on April 09, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Enter The Western Conference Anxiety Vortex

Torrey Craig and Andre Drummond fuck up a dunk

This Is About As Wrong As 15 Seconds Of Basketball Can Go

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits injured on the court during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics on April 09, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Calf Joins Doc Rivers’s Reputation In The Infirmary

Defector Up All Night

Oh Fuck Me, Damian Lillard Is Wiggling The Wet Orb

Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks speaks during a press conference after the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 30, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 122-113.

The Bucks Are All Fucked Up

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 7: Mat Ishbia speaks during a press conference announcing Phoenix as the host of the NBA All-Star 2027 on March 7, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Mat Ishbia Revealed To Be Familiar Kind Of Asshole

Giri Nathan

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 03: Malachi Flynn #18 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during a timeout against the Atlanta Hawks inthe second quarter at State Farm Arena on April 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

NBA