Brandon Jennings on today’s NBA: ‘Skill-wise it’s definitely better, look at Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and guys like that’

Who’s your GOAT? Brandon Jennings: Definitely Kobe. Growing up in L.A. and seeing him win five titles, it just makes sense. People seem to forget he was the most dominant player at his peak during the late 2000s. And he’s got a legacy of work ethic and drive that will live forever. Q. Any memorable interactions you had with him? Brandon Jennings: When I tore my Achilles, he texted me and gave me some encouragement on how to deal with it. He wasn’t playing at that time and was coming back from a shoulder injury himself. You could tell he just always cared about the people in the basketball community and was trying to help. I remember he took a picture with my son after a game too, so that was dope, and it’s a memory that my son just really appreciates having now. -via HoopsHype / October 16, 2024

What is your response to Josh Hart saying you can’t talk about winning because you never won anything in life? Brandon Jennings: Never won in life? Well, maybe if they win a title in New York, then he’ll have won something. He should be glad they made those two trades just now or they wouldn’t even have a shot at competing. We’ll see what happens this year. -via HoopsHype / October 16, 2024

Based on how their careers turned out, Green looks like the better player between the two. However, some old heads, including Kenyon Martin and Brandon Jennings, don’t share that belief. “Bonzi Wells better than Draymond Green,” Jennings said during a recent episode of “Gil’s Arena.” “That sh*t ain’t even fu*king close,” Martin replied. -via Basketball Network / August 28, 2024

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics took home this year’s NBA title, and there’s plenty of evidence that his cohort of rising stars is ready to assume the mantle from LeBron James and Steph Curry. The NBA saw year-over-year engagement growth during the regular season and playoffs, and SoFi ads featuring Tatum were 15% more effective than those without him. Elsewhere, Bose ads featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards were 1,236% more effective than the brand’s average. -via BusinessWire.com / October 16, 2024

EDO, the TV outcomes company, released today a report detailing ad effectiveness across the NBA, WNBA, and men’s and women’s NCAA basketball leagues. The Basketball TV Outcomes Report highlights lifts in consumer engagement in WNBA and NBA regular season games, identifies which brands are driving the strongest results in basketball, and charts the explosive impact of ads featuring rising stars like Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Caitlin Clark. -via BusinessWire.com / October 16, 2024

As film director Spike Lee autographed a green Jayson Tatum jersey for a young Boston Celtics fan, the renowned New York Knicks superfan asked him, “How come he [Tatum] didn’t play during the Olympics? Why did he sit?” Without skipping a beat, the youngster asked Lee, “Why weren’t there any Knicks playing during the Olympics?” As NBA fans at the Basketball Hall of Fame store looked on and laughed, Lee smiled and said, “Hey, how old are you?” The young Celtics fan said, “I’m 12.” Lee, who was wearing a Knicks bucket hat and an orange vest over a Knicks sweatshirt, said, “I hope you’re there opening night, because even though you’re hoisting a [NBA championship] banner, you’re losing [to the Knicks].” -via Andscape / October 14, 2024

Mike Curtis: Jason Kidd said Luka Doncic will most likely “not participate” in tomorrow’s game, but he went through a full practice today. -via Twitter @MikeACurtis2 / October 16, 2024

Luka Dončić was on the court during the Mavericks’ shootaround on Monday and completed an extended workout afterward. While he will not play against the Clippers, Dončić’s progress suggests he could return for the preseason finale or the regular season opener on Oct. 24, but it remains to be seen. -via Dallas Hoops Journal / October 15, 2024

Dallas Mavericks PR: Mavs Injury Update: Luka Dončić (left calf contusion), Kyrie Irving (rest), Maxi Kleber (left ankle sprain), Dante Exum (right wrist), and Kessler Edwards (left ankle sprain) will be OUT for tonight’s preseason game vs. the Clippers. -via Twitter @MavsPR / October 14, 2024

Wolves star Anthony Edwards said he loves the competitive fire and aggression DiVincenzo plays with. “You can’t be mad at him, man,” Edwards said, speaking about the guard’s play in general. “He makes all the right plays and shoots the cover off the ball. New York is definitely going to miss him.” -via ESPN / October 14, 2024