Wed, Jan 8th, 2020

Our 2010 heroes aren’t dead yet — AD’s contract — a night of posters

January 08, 2020

Wednesday, January 8th, 2020

  • Tuesday was a night for the oldies

  • AD isn’t going anywhere

  • There were two disrespectful posters last night 

  • Is Dwyane Wade a narcissist? See below.

 1. The Lead: The 2010s are still alive  

In early-2010, Dwight Howard was on the Magic, Chris Paul was on the Hornets, Carmelo Anthony was on the Nuggets, and Derrick Rose was on the Bulls.(Plus, Howard Ratner was still alive.)A whole bunch of teams later, those players are now on the Lakers, the Thunder, the Trail Blazers and the Pistons, respectively.Over the last few days, though, they’ve all acted like Barack was still in office, like Kendrick Lamar was just blowing up, like our parents hadn’t taken over Facebook yet, and like The Hurt Locker was the hot new movie: 

Carmelo, 35, four teams since 2010, last night: Nailed the game-winner for the Trail Blazers over the Raptors, GIF’d above.Chris Paul, 34, three teams since 2010, last night: Scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to single-handedly beat the sorry-ass Nets, WHO SCORED TWO POINTS IN OT, 111-103.Dwight Howard, 34, five teams since 2010, this week: Got his contract fully guaranteed on Tuesday, accepted an invitation to the dunk contest -- which he won in 2008 -- and nailed a 3-pointer in last night’s blowout win over the Knicks.Derrick Rose, 31, four teams since 2010, last night: Hit a clutch 2-pointer against the Cavs to give the Pistons a one-point lead with 25 seconds left.

Get your tents ready, folks. We’re about to go occupy some Wall Street.

 2. Poor Mike Muscala 

Jarrett Allen had an insulting dunk over Mike Muscala in yesterday's win for the Thunder over the Nets, who have now lost seven straight.

Detroit's Sekou Doumbouya also had

(and stare down) on Tristan Thompson last night.

 3. AD’s contract situation, explained 

Yesterday, Anthony Davis declined a mondo contract extension with the Lakers which would have given him $146 million over the next four years.He also informed the Lakers he’d be declining a $28.7 million opt-in for 2020-21, meaning he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time in his career.To the outside world (Knicks fans), this development might be intriguing. We’re here to be the buzzkills, though.First off, Knicks fans: Are we really doing this again?Second off: He turned down the $146 million because, this summer, he’ll be eligible to sign a five-year, $202 million deal, which is just a ridiculous amount of money.In the real world, the Lakers are still the odds-on favorites to sign him. His free agency this summer may just end up being a formality.From Chris Haynes: 

“No one within league circles anticipates Davis leaving the Lakers after one season.”

So cut it out, Knicks fans. And you’re not getting Giannis, either. 

 4. By the numbers 

2; 2; 2

Ben Simmons, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard have all hit two 3-pointers this season.

  Three-day ceremony

After calling out Kobe for having an extravagant final season, Dwyane Wade has agreed with the Heat to hold a three-day ceremony for his jersey retirement from Feb. 21-23.

  $25,000

Isaiah Thomas was fined $25,000 for making contact with a ref on Friday.

  74.3 percent

Dwight Howard is shooting 74.3 percent from the field. 

  One million dollars

Trae Young paid off one million dollars of medical debt in Atlanta this week.

  9 players, $750,000

All nine of the Australians in the NBA pooled together their riches and donated … $750K to fight the wildfires.

5.  Quick Hits 

6.  Off the press

7.  Podcast pick