Month: June 2022

The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Much has been made of the way the Warriors and Celtics NBA Finals matchup represents a high-water mark for a more traditional mode of team-building. For the past decade […]

The Brooklyn Nets believe the Philadelphia 76ers will be worse next year than this past season. By deferring the Philadelphia 76ers‘ 2022 first-round pick from the James Harden–Ben Simmons trade to 2023, the Brooklyn Nets are telling everyone to short the 76ers next NBA season. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski informed everyone of the Nets’ intentions of the pick […]

NFL insider Ian Rapoport went on the Pat McAfee Show to dish on where Odell Beckham Jr will likely play in 2022 and what the hold up on a deal is.  The absolute frenzy of the NFL offseason has seemingly died down, but that doesn’t mean top-tier talent remains available on the open market. Odell […]

With Robinson Cano’s time in San Diego soon coming to an end, the Padres are calling up outfielder Nomar Mazara, according to sources familiar with the situation. After Wednesday’s game, in which Robinson Cano’s numbers with the San Diego Padres dropped to .091/.118/.091 in 34 plate appearances, there was growing chatter that they would move […]

Jimmy Butler seems simultaneously driven by vibes and bottom-line results. How do we reconcile his impeccable intensity with his love for life? Jimmy Butler will drop 40 points. He will let fly. It will rain. A rivulet will become a torrent. He will flood the court. But the most devastating thing about Jimmy Butler is […]

All things eventually fade to black. Which squad is best prepared to eventually become the next NBA dynasty when the Golden State Warriors “Big Three” leaves “The Arena”? After a two-year hiatus, the Golden State Warriors have returned to where they surely believe they belong — the top of the NBA mountain, once again preparing […]

Smart GMs mine the NBA Draft for potential All-Stars. These five prospects fit the bill in this year’s class of talented prospects.  Free agency is important to NBA front offices but most teams need to grow their own All-Stars via the draft. That’s why the best league decision-makers are often tempted to take big swings […]