THOUGHTS | THE BOSTON TRADE AND ESPN'S NONSENSICAL CHAMPIONSHIP DISCUSSION

THAT WAS QUICK

I was all set to write about my Boston Celtics addressing the Jayson Tatum situation by trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. And honestly, I don't know what kind of backchannel relationship Boston has with Portland, but every time the Celtics need to unload someone, Rip City’s right there to take the call.

Now, Simons enters a situation where he can either become Boston’s dynamic sixth man or Jaylen Brown’s running mate for the time being. He was supposed to be Portland’s franchise guy, but injuries derailed that path. This is a make-or-break stint for him—his first real shot at winning basketball.

The two second-rounders? Don’t overlook them. If Portland continues to flounder, those picks could turn into legit assets.

As for Jrue, I like him. He was a steady presence in both Milwaukee and Boston's championship seasons, and I think he has enough left in the tank to lead a young squad like Portland back to relevance. But let’s be real—this is a team that also cycled through Malcolm Brogdon. And if Portland is serious about developing Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, they better make sure 35-year-old Jrue understands his role.

But here’s what really set me off: The NBA media’s obsession with the same three guys—LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant.

CLOSEST?

THE HELL?!?

The Oklahoma City Thunder just pulled off a gritty seven-game Finals win over the Indiana Pacers. Barely three days later, ESPN is back on YouTube asking: “Who’s most likely to win another ring—LeBron, Steph, or KD?”

Like clockwork.

It's exhausting.

I don't care if the title of the video is merely for clickbait.

SGA just led a young, drama-free OKC squad to a title. That should be the story. But the media can't help themselves. Instead of celebrating a new era, they're scrambling to rehash the same tired narrative they've pushed for almost 20 years.

I get it—Curry gets a bit of a pass because he built something real in Golden State. But even he can’t be the face of the title conversation anymore. And if Steph takes a backseat, LeBron and Durant should, too.

LeBron may have a billionaire backing him in L.A., but he’s also notorious for burning through coaches and young cores. Durant? Ever since he left Golden State, every team he's joined slowly implodes. These guys are all-time greats—no one's denying that—but the media’s refusal to move on is stunting the league’s growth.

OKC is the perfect poster team for the NBA right now: no off-court drama, smart front office, and a humble superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But instead of building that story, the media’s already pivoting to next season’s tired “Which legend has one more run?” storyline.

If it’s not OKC, why not Denver or Minnesota? The Nuggets are still dangerous, and the Timberwolves are legit and hungry. The Suns and Grizzlies made smart long-term moves. And let’s not forget the two Texas teams working on their redemption arcs—yes, San Antonio and even Dallas.

Though I still can't shake Durant’s backhanded comment after OKC won the title.

Who did OKC beat? That’s what people are asking about what he said?

Come on.

The Indiana Pacers didn’t roll over. Haliburton could’ve sat out but chose to play through pain for his city. That Finals was hard-earned. No asterisk. No excuses.

And if the Thunder face the Rockets in the first round of the 2026 Playoffs? I hope OKC sweeps them in dominant fashion. That’s the only way to silence the doubters and Durant’s passive-aggressive takes.

Anyway—rant over.

Let’s go, Celtics!