Sam Amick

The PBWA is pleased to announce that Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has won the Rudy Tomjanovich Award for the 2025-26 season. Press release: probasketballwriters.org/pistons-head-c…

A gift article 🎁 for all to read because you need to know the name Shama’ra Jefferson nytimes.com/athletic/71943… via @NYTimes

While I fully understand the fan frustration about having to bounce around for national games, I have really enjoyed the variety of voices and quality of production (last night’s Amazon blunder notwithstanding). And the league is understandably geeked about these numbers.

Called around the NBA asking team execs, agents and coaches about which up-and-coming assistants are the top ones to watch for head-coaching jobs that open this offseason. Here is what we learned. Story with @eric_nehm: nytimes.com/athletic/71971…

This story marks the *official* start of my Thunder playoff coverage. Five reasons why (or why not) the Thunder could defend their title: nytimes.com/athletic/71978…

So...LaMelo's prospects for a Team USA spot (if he wants one) probably didn't get better tonight. Spo was hot about the Bam trip, and with good reason.

How did the Charlotte Hornets become NBA darlings? I took a trip to Charlotte to find out for @TheAthletic. The vibes are good in Charlotte and the future is bright thanks to Kon, LaMelo and Co. 🔓nytimes.com/athletic/71938…

The PBWA is pleased to announce that the Detroit Pistons have won the Brian McIntyre Media Relations Award for the 2025-26 season. Press release: probasketballwriters.org/pistons-pr-sta…

Anthony Davis still wants to hear what the Washington Wizards' front office is planning to do to improve the team for the 2026-27 season. Story at @TheAthleticNBA: nytimes.com/athletic/71946…

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Warriors record setting 73rd regular season win in 2016. The season didn’t end the way they wanted it to — but it’s a moment in time that players and coaches have come to appreciate even more over the years. nytimes.com/athletic/71921…

The PBWA is pleased to announce the second annual NBA All-Interview Team. Press release: probasketballwriters.org/wembanyama-and…

The Thunder aren't, however, considered invincible. @JoshuaBRobbins , @sam_amick and @joevardon on the other teams players believe in ⤵️ nytimes.com/athletic/71842…

The Athletic’s 2026 Anonymous NBA Player Poll asked 161 players to name the team, other than their own franchise, that will win the title in June. The Oklahoma City Thunder are considered the team to beat, and for good reason.

At @TheAthletic: Inside Bucks’ season from hell: Giannis trade talk, odd compliments and so much losing nytimes.com/athletic/71916…

Lakers v Rockets - Early preview with @WillGuillory nytimes.com/athletic/71876…

Doc Rivers' time as Bucks head coach comes to an end as expected, with a likely gig hanging with his grandkids coming up next. More intel here, with @eric_nehm, at @TheAthletic nytimes.com/athletic/69697…

Playoff seeding, Play-In Tournament status and draft lottery odds are all at stake. @joevardon on what to watch for ⤵️ nytimes.com/athletic/71884…

Sources: Despite the Kings’ brutal season, and amid league-wide speculation that they might make a coaching change, Doug Christie is safe. Why the Kings chose to keep him at the helm for next season, and where they go from here, at @TheAthletic nytimes.com/athletic/71889…

NEW feature: “As you can tell, they don’t miss no meals. They fat as shit.” A day on the ranch with Keldon Johnson involves everything from horses eating cameras, “asshole” donkeys chasing llamas, to random headlocks from KJ himself. It’s all part of the harmonious balance of tranquility and chaos that makes Johnson who he is and who he wants to be: 6th Man of the Year. He sat down with @TheAthletic on the dock of his pond overlooking Texas Hill Country to explore the feeling of freedom and responsibility on the farm and in the NBA. Read it unlocked here: nytimes.com/athletic/71873…

I was fun-employed and missed so much happening in the world of sports. Mostly, I missed writing. So here we go, good people, more words!!!! (P.S. Montreal bagels go harder than New York’s) nytimes.com/athletic/71845…