×
Deadspin | Oilers not saying if Tristan Jarry or Connor Ingram will man net in Game 4   Apr 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images   Connor Ingram served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender for the first three games of their Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks.  But with the higher-seeded Oilers trailing 2-1 in this best-of-seven set heading into Game 4 in Anaheim, Calif., on Sunday night, might head coach Kris Knoblauch change goalies? Backup Tristan Jarry spent practice on Saturday in the net typically used by the next game’s starter, but Knoblauch said Saturday that wasn’t necessarily a tell.  “We haven’t decided,” Knoblauch said. “I think going in (to this series), we were pretty sure (about our No. 1). And it was the same thing last year, and maybe the year before. Today in the NHL, very rarely do you have one goalie play all the games in the playoffs.”  He continued: “Twenty years ago and before that, it was unheard-of to be swapping goalies. But we’ve got two good goalies. We feel confident they can both play. And going into the playoffs, we felt there was going to be a time where we’re going to have to make a switch at some time. Whether that’s for Game 4 or Game 5 or whatever it is, we have confidence in both of them.”  Ingram, 29, who posted a 16-10-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 32 regular-season games, has been less effective during the postseason. In the wake of Friday’s 7-4 win by the Ducks, Ingram has surrendered a league-high 14 goals and enters Game 4 with a 4.70 GAA and .849 save percentage.   Jarry, who turns 31 this week, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 12. He fashioned a 9-6-2 record with a 3.86 GAA and .858 save percentage in 19 appearances for the Oilers. He has not started a game since April 7 — a 6-5 overtime loss at Utah — and has not played since handling the final 20 minutes on April 8 in a 5-2 win against San Jose.  If Jarry gets the Game 4 nod, it will mark his first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since a 4-3 overtime loss by the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers on May 15, 2022.  Jarry started eight postseason games for the Penguins from 2020-22 and produced a 2-6 record with a 3.00 GAA and .891 save percentage.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Oilers #Tristan #Jarry #Connor #Ingram #man #net #Game

Deadspin | Oilers not saying if Tristan Jarry or Connor Ingram will man net in Game 4
Deadspin | Oilers not saying if Tristan Jarry or Connor Ingram will man net in Game 4   Apr 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images   Connor Ingram served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender for the first three games of their Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks.  But with the higher-seeded Oilers trailing 2-1 in this best-of-seven set heading into Game 4 in Anaheim, Calif., on Sunday night, might head coach Kris Knoblauch change goalies? Backup Tristan Jarry spent practice on Saturday in the net typically used by the next game’s starter, but Knoblauch said Saturday that wasn’t necessarily a tell.  “We haven’t decided,” Knoblauch said. “I think going in (to this series), we were pretty sure (about our No. 1). And it was the same thing last year, and maybe the year before. Today in the NHL, very rarely do you have one goalie play all the games in the playoffs.”  He continued: “Twenty years ago and before that, it was unheard-of to be swapping goalies. But we’ve got two good goalies. We feel confident they can both play. And going into the playoffs, we felt there was going to be a time where we’re going to have to make a switch at some time. Whether that’s for Game 4 or Game 5 or whatever it is, we have confidence in both of them.”  Ingram, 29, who posted a 16-10-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 32 regular-season games, has been less effective during the postseason. In the wake of Friday’s 7-4 win by the Ducks, Ingram has surrendered a league-high 14 goals and enters Game 4 with a 4.70 GAA and .849 save percentage.   Jarry, who turns 31 this week, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 12. He fashioned a 9-6-2 record with a 3.86 GAA and .858 save percentage in 19 appearances for the Oilers. He has not started a game since April 7 — a 6-5 overtime loss at Utah — and has not played since handling the final 20 minutes on April 8 in a 5-2 win against San Jose.  If Jarry gets the Game 4 nod, it will mark his first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since a 4-3 overtime loss by the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers on May 15, 2022.  Jarry started eight postseason games for the Penguins from 2020-22 and produced a 2-6 record with a 3.00 GAA and .891 save percentage.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Oilers #Tristan #Jarry #Connor #Ingram #man #net #GameApr 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Connor Ingram served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender for the first three games of their Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks.

But with the higher-seeded Oilers trailing 2-1 in this best-of-seven set heading into Game 4 in Anaheim, Calif., on Sunday night, might head coach Kris Knoblauch change goalies? Backup Tristan Jarry spent practice on Saturday in the net typically used by the next game’s starter, but Knoblauch said Saturday that wasn’t necessarily a tell.

“We haven’t decided,” Knoblauch said. “I think going in (to this series), we were pretty sure (about our No. 1). And it was the same thing last year, and maybe the year before. Today in the NHL, very rarely do you have one goalie play all the games in the playoffs.”

He continued: “Twenty years ago and before that, it was unheard-of to be swapping goalies. But we’ve got two good goalies. We feel confident they can both play. And going into the playoffs, we felt there was going to be a time where we’re going to have to make a switch at some time. Whether that’s for Game 4 or Game 5 or whatever it is, we have confidence in both of them.”


Ingram, 29, who posted a 16-10-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 32 regular-season games, has been less effective during the postseason. In the wake of Friday’s 7-4 win by the Ducks, Ingram has surrendered a league-high 14 goals and enters Game 4 with a 4.70 GAA and .849 save percentage.

Jarry, who turns 31 this week, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 12. He fashioned a 9-6-2 record with a 3.86 GAA and .858 save percentage in 19 appearances for the Oilers. He has not started a game since April 7 — a 6-5 overtime loss at Utah — and has not played since handling the final 20 minutes on April 8 in a 5-2 win against San Jose.

If Jarry gets the Game 4 nod, it will mark his first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since a 4-3 overtime loss by the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers on May 15, 2022.

Jarry started eight postseason games for the Penguins from 2020-22 and produced a 2-6 record with a 3.00 GAA and .891 save percentage.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Oilers #Tristan #Jarry #Connor #Ingram #man #net #Game

Apr 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Connor Ingram served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender for the first three games of their Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks.

But with the higher-seeded Oilers trailing 2-1 in this best-of-seven set heading into Game 4 in Anaheim, Calif., on Sunday night, might head coach Kris Knoblauch change goalies? Backup Tristan Jarry spent practice on Saturday in the net typically used by the next game’s starter, but Knoblauch said Saturday that wasn’t necessarily a tell.

“We haven’t decided,” Knoblauch said. “I think going in (to this series), we were pretty sure (about our No. 1). And it was the same thing last year, and maybe the year before. Today in the NHL, very rarely do you have one goalie play all the games in the playoffs.”

He continued: “Twenty years ago and before that, it was unheard-of to be swapping goalies. But we’ve got two good goalies. We feel confident they can both play. And going into the playoffs, we felt there was going to be a time where we’re going to have to make a switch at some time. Whether that’s for Game 4 or Game 5 or whatever it is, we have confidence in both of them.”

Ingram, 29, who posted a 16-10-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 32 regular-season games, has been less effective during the postseason. In the wake of Friday’s 7-4 win by the Ducks, Ingram has surrendered a league-high 14 goals and enters Game 4 with a 4.70 GAA and .849 save percentage.

Jarry, who turns 31 this week, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 12. He fashioned a 9-6-2 record with a 3.86 GAA and .858 save percentage in 19 appearances for the Oilers. He has not started a game since April 7 — a 6-5 overtime loss at Utah — and has not played since handling the final 20 minutes on April 8 in a 5-2 win against San Jose.

If Jarry gets the Game 4 nod, it will mark his first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since a 4-3 overtime loss by the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers on May 15, 2022.

Jarry started eight postseason games for the Penguins from 2020-22 and produced a 2-6 record with a 3.00 GAA and .891 save percentage.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Oilers #Tristan #Jarry #Connor #Ingram #man #net #Game

Previous post

Bangladesh Test squad for Pakistan series: Shanto leads 15-member team; Tanzid, uncapped Amite Hasan called up <div id="content-body-70909283" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead a 15-member Bangladesh squad when it welcomes Pakistan for a two-Test series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Sunday.</p><p>A new name amongst the ranks is wicketkeeper-batter Amite Hasan who received a maiden national team call-up after impressing in the domestic circuit. He has amassed 3650 runs in 49 First-Class matches.</p><p>Moreover, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who’s been part of Bangladesh’s white-ball set-up since 2023, got his first Test team call-up.</p><p>The first Test will start on May 8 with the match being held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The second Test will begin on May 16 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.</p><p>The Bangla Tigers are currently playing New Zealand at home in a multi-format white-ball series and have beaten the Kiwis 2-1 in the ODIs.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Bangladesh Test squad for Pakistan series</h4><p>Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan, Amite Hasan.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 26, 2026</p></div> #Bangladesh #Test #squad #Pakistan #series #Shanto #leads #15member #team #Tanzid #uncapped #Amite #Hasan #called

Next post

White House Correspondents Association President Weijia Jiang Says Dinner Shooting ‘Was a Harrowing Moment for Everyone in Attendance’

Deadspin | Red Sox chase 10th straight win, aim to hand A’s 10th straight loss  Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) reacts after throwing the final out to beat the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images   The Boston Red Sox can do no wrong these days. At least that’s the way it seems.  The Red Sox will enter their Saturday matchup against the visiting Athletics on a nine-game winning streak after recording a 13-1 victory on Friday in the opening contest of a three-game series.  Boston has won 11 of its last 12 games, 27 of its past 30 and 32 of its past 37 — the best streak in franchise history. The Friday victory was the Red Sox’s 12th in their past 14 home games and improved the team’s record to 29-29 at Fenway Park.  Boston has scored 25 runs in the past two games.  “It’s absolutely amazing,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI following the latest triumph. “I remember at the beginning of the season the feeling was, ‘I hope we score.’ Now it’s gotten to the point of it’s just a matter of when we score and how much are we going to score.”  Catcher Jake Rogers and reliever Raymond Burgos, two players who may not be with the Red Sox for very long, made significant contributions on Friday.  Boston acquired Rogers when it traded for Adley Rutschman because the Red Sox needed a backup catcher until Rutschman is cleared to play after missing time due to left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats on Friday. He also walked once, drove in a run and scored three times.  Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, but following the Friday game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the three-time All-Star is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.   Burgos was called up from Worcester on Friday to fortify a depleted bullpen after Boston played a 13-inning game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He made his second major league appearance Friday night and tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save. He retired each of the nine batters he faced.  The Athletics were limited to two hits in the defeat, which extended their losing streak to nine games. The A’s also parted ways with general manager David Forst on Friday. Forst had been with the organization for 27 seasons.  “For me, (Forst) gave me this opportunity to manage this club,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve faced our certain circumstances, challenges, together. That’s what’s tough about it. Not being able to see it through with him.  “My ask of (the players) is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward.”  The Athletics will be hoping for a repeat performance when they send rookie Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The left-hander was the winning pitcher when the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3 on July 28 — Boston’s last loss. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out seven in that win, which is his only career appearance against the Red Sox.  Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) is Boston’s scheduled starter. Bennett was the losing pitcher in that July 28 game against the Athletics, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. That was his only career appearance against the Athletics.  Despite that setback, Bennett is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his past eight starts.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Red #Sox #chase #10th #straight #win #aim #hand #10th #straight #lossAug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) reacts after throwing the final out to beat the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox can do no wrong these days. At least that’s the way it seems.

The Red Sox will enter their Saturday matchup against the visiting Athletics on a nine-game winning streak after recording a 13-1 victory on Friday in the opening contest of a three-game series.

Boston has won 11 of its last 12 games, 27 of its past 30 and 32 of its past 37 — the best streak in franchise history. The Friday victory was the Red Sox’s 12th in their past 14 home games and improved the team’s record to 29-29 at Fenway Park.

Boston has scored 25 runs in the past two games.

“It’s absolutely amazing,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI following the latest triumph. “I remember at the beginning of the season the feeling was, ‘I hope we score.’ Now it’s gotten to the point of it’s just a matter of when we score and how much are we going to score.”

Catcher Jake Rogers and reliever Raymond Burgos, two players who may not be with the Red Sox for very long, made significant contributions on Friday.

Boston acquired Rogers when it traded for Adley Rutschman because the Red Sox needed a backup catcher until Rutschman is cleared to play after missing time due to left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats on Friday. He also walked once, drove in a run and scored three times.


Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, but following the Friday game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the three-time All-Star is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Burgos was called up from Worcester on Friday to fortify a depleted bullpen after Boston played a 13-inning game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He made his second major league appearance Friday night and tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save. He retired each of the nine batters he faced.

The Athletics were limited to two hits in the defeat, which extended their losing streak to nine games. The A’s also parted ways with general manager David Forst on Friday. Forst had been with the organization for 27 seasons.

“For me, (Forst) gave me this opportunity to manage this club,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve faced our certain circumstances, challenges, together. That’s what’s tough about it. Not being able to see it through with him.

“My ask of (the players) is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward.”

The Athletics will be hoping for a repeat performance when they send rookie Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The left-hander was the winning pitcher when the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3 on July 28 — Boston’s last loss. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out seven in that win, which is his only career appearance against the Red Sox.

Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) is Boston’s scheduled starter. Bennett was the losing pitcher in that July 28 game against the Athletics, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. That was his only career appearance against the Athletics.

Despite that setback, Bennett is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his past eight starts.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Red #Sox #chase #10th #straight #win #aim #hand #10th #straight #loss">Deadspin | Red Sox chase 10th straight win, aim to hand A’s 10th straight loss  Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) reacts after throwing the final out to beat the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images   The Boston Red Sox can do no wrong these days. At least that’s the way it seems.  The Red Sox will enter their Saturday matchup against the visiting Athletics on a nine-game winning streak after recording a 13-1 victory on Friday in the opening contest of a three-game series.  Boston has won 11 of its last 12 games, 27 of its past 30 and 32 of its past 37 — the best streak in franchise history. The Friday victory was the Red Sox’s 12th in their past 14 home games and improved the team’s record to 29-29 at Fenway Park.  Boston has scored 25 runs in the past two games.  “It’s absolutely amazing,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI following the latest triumph. “I remember at the beginning of the season the feeling was, ‘I hope we score.’ Now it’s gotten to the point of it’s just a matter of when we score and how much are we going to score.”  Catcher Jake Rogers and reliever Raymond Burgos, two players who may not be with the Red Sox for very long, made significant contributions on Friday.  Boston acquired Rogers when it traded for Adley Rutschman because the Red Sox needed a backup catcher until Rutschman is cleared to play after missing time due to left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats on Friday. He also walked once, drove in a run and scored three times.  Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, but following the Friday game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the three-time All-Star is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.   Burgos was called up from Worcester on Friday to fortify a depleted bullpen after Boston played a 13-inning game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He made his second major league appearance Friday night and tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save. He retired each of the nine batters he faced.  The Athletics were limited to two hits in the defeat, which extended their losing streak to nine games. The A’s also parted ways with general manager David Forst on Friday. Forst had been with the organization for 27 seasons.  “For me, (Forst) gave me this opportunity to manage this club,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve faced our certain circumstances, challenges, together. That’s what’s tough about it. Not being able to see it through with him.  “My ask of (the players) is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward.”  The Athletics will be hoping for a repeat performance when they send rookie Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The left-hander was the winning pitcher when the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3 on July 28 — Boston’s last loss. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out seven in that win, which is his only career appearance against the Red Sox.  Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) is Boston’s scheduled starter. Bennett was the losing pitcher in that July 28 game against the Athletics, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. That was his only career appearance against the Athletics.  Despite that setback, Bennett is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his past eight starts.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Red #Sox #chase #10th #straight #win #aim #hand #10th #straight #loss

Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

#Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA">Victor Wembanyama is working on Dirk Nowitzki’s fadeaway, and it might be over for the NBA  Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.  #Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA

Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

#Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA">Victor Wembanyama is working on Dirk Nowitzki’s fadeaway, and it might be over for the NBA

Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

#Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA

Post Comment