KeithSmithNBA
@keithsmithnba.bsky.social
I write and talk about the NBA, especially the salary cap, CBA and roster construction stuff. I do these things for Spotrac, NBA Front Office Show and The Basketball Bulletin. Any nonsense you see here is from me, not my employers.
Really good bounce-back season from Jaime Jaquez Jr. He should get a lot of Sixth Man of the Year love. He's really settled into that role nicely for the Heat.
Also, good to see Nikola Jovic putting together some strong games recently too.
Also, good to see Nikola Jovic putting together some strong games recently too.
December 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Really good bounce-back season from Jaime Jaquez Jr. He should get a lot of Sixth Man of the Year love. He's really settled into that role nicely for the Heat.
Also, good to see Nikola Jovic putting together some strong games recently too.
Also, good to see Nikola Jovic putting together some strong games recently too.
If/when Portland gets Jrue Holiday back, and eventually Scoot Henderson, I think they'll take off a little bit. They need floor leaders who can get them organized and settled. They play way too wild for long stretches of the game. Holiday and Henders will help with that lot.
December 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
If/when Portland gets Jrue Holiday back, and eventually Scoot Henderson, I think they'll take off a little bit. They need floor leaders who can get them organized and settled. They play way too wild for long stretches of the game. Holiday and Henders will help with that lot.
Ton of credit to Toumani Camara. At halftime, he had missed a bunch of shots and Jaylen Brown was cooking him on defense.
Second half, Camara made a bunch of shots and forced Brown into some tough looks.
Camara has been overtasked this season, but is one heck of a player.
Second half, Camara made a bunch of shots and forced Brown into some tough looks.
Camara has been overtasked this season, but is one heck of a player.
December 29, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Ton of credit to Toumani Camara. At halftime, he had missed a bunch of shots and Jaylen Brown was cooking him on defense.
Second half, Camara made a bunch of shots and forced Brown into some tough looks.
Camara has been overtasked this season, but is one heck of a player.
Second half, Camara made a bunch of shots and forced Brown into some tough looks.
Camara has been overtasked this season, but is one heck of a player.
Just awful execution down the stretch from the Celtics. White and Brown weren't on the same page on a handful of plays.
Boston also made it easier to guard Brown late by going straight to ISO plays vs creatively getting him the ball in space.
Bad loss for the Celtics, but it happens sometimes.
Boston also made it easier to guard Brown late by going straight to ISO plays vs creatively getting him the ball in space.
Bad loss for the Celtics, but it happens sometimes.
December 29, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Just awful execution down the stretch from the Celtics. White and Brown weren't on the same page on a handful of plays.
Boston also made it easier to guard Brown late by going straight to ISO plays vs creatively getting him the ball in space.
Bad loss for the Celtics, but it happens sometimes.
Boston also made it easier to guard Brown late by going straight to ISO plays vs creatively getting him the ball in space.
Bad loss for the Celtics, but it happens sometimes.
Lack of rebounding kills the Celtics again. Initial shot defense is good, but inability to finish the possession leads to an and-1 putback for Clingan.
7 offensive boards for Clingan, who has been a monster all night long.
7 offensive boards for Clingan, who has been a monster all night long.
December 29, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Lack of rebounding kills the Celtics again. Initial shot defense is good, but inability to finish the possession leads to an and-1 putback for Clingan.
7 offensive boards for Clingan, who has been a monster all night long.
7 offensive boards for Clingan, who has been a monster all night long.
That's an awful call.
That's not a flagrant foul. No intent and nothing extra there. Brown drove hard and caught Avdija. Barely an offensive foul.
The NBA has to figure this stuff out. When someone reaches out and smacks a guy in the face, it's one thing. When a guy just gets hit in the face, it happens.
The NBA has to figure this stuff out. When someone reaches out and smacks a guy in the face, it's one thing. When a guy just gets hit in the face, it happens.
December 29, 2025 at 1:16 AM
That's an awful call.
That's not a flagrant foul. No intent and nothing extra there. Brown drove hard and caught Avdija. Barely an offensive foul.
The NBA has to figure this stuff out. When someone reaches out and smacks a guy in the face, it's one thing. When a guy just gets hit in the face, it happens.
The NBA has to figure this stuff out. When someone reaches out and smacks a guy in the face, it's one thing. When a guy just gets hit in the face, it happens.
December 29, 2025 at 1:16 AM
That's not a flagrant foul. No intent and nothing extra there. Brown drove hard and caught Avdija. Barely an offensive foul.
The NBA has to figure this stuff out. When someone reaches out and smacks a guy in the face, it's one thing. When a guy just gets hit in the face, it happens.
The NBA has to figure this stuff out. When someone reaches out and smacks a guy in the face, it's one thing. When a guy just gets hit in the face, it happens.
Celtics perimeter defense hasn't been good all game. If they can lock in for a few minutes here, they should get a win. But the Blazers are out of the box now. Should be a fun finish coming in Portland!
December 29, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Celtics perimeter defense hasn't been good all game. If they can lock in for a few minutes here, they should get a win. But the Blazers are out of the box now. Should be a fun finish coming in Portland!
Bamba's deal will be non-guaranteed. NBA contracts don't guarantee until January 7 (it's really January 10 but players must be waived by January 7).
So, it's kind of like an extended 10 Day, since real 10 Day deals can't be signed until January 5.
So, it's kind of like an extended 10 Day, since real 10 Day deals can't be signed until January 5.
The Raptors will go about $475K over the first apron after signing Mo Bamba. Raptors will be about $2.1M over the tax line after signing Mo Bamba.
I don't expect Toronto be even a tax team this season. They'll be a prime candidate to shed some salary by the trade deadline.
I don't expect Toronto be even a tax team this season. They'll be a prime candidate to shed some salary by the trade deadline.
December 29, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Bamba's deal will be non-guaranteed. NBA contracts don't guarantee until January 7 (it's really January 10 but players must be waived by January 7).
So, it's kind of like an extended 10 Day, since real 10 Day deals can't be signed until January 5.
So, it's kind of like an extended 10 Day, since real 10 Day deals can't be signed until January 5.
Pats back on top of the AFC East where they belong!
December 29, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Pats back on top of the AFC East where they belong!
The Raptors will go about $475K over the first apron after signing Mo Bamba. Raptors will be about $2.1M over the tax line after signing Mo Bamba.
I don't expect Toronto be even a tax team this season. They'll be a prime candidate to shed some salary by the trade deadline.
I don't expect Toronto be even a tax team this season. They'll be a prime candidate to shed some salary by the trade deadline.
December 29, 2025 at 12:26 AM
The Raptors will go about $475K over the first apron after signing Mo Bamba. Raptors will be about $2.1M over the tax line after signing Mo Bamba.
I don't expect Toronto be even a tax team this season. They'll be a prime candidate to shed some salary by the trade deadline.
I don't expect Toronto be even a tax team this season. They'll be a prime candidate to shed some salary by the trade deadline.
27 points for Jaylen Brown at halftime.
11-for-16 shooting. Good mix of drives, pullups and free throws.
This run this month is the best Jaylen Brown has ever played. That's saying a lot, because he was a Finals MVP.
11-for-16 shooting. Good mix of drives, pullups and free throws.
This run this month is the best Jaylen Brown has ever played. That's saying a lot, because he was a Finals MVP.
If Portland doesn't run a second guy at Jaylen Brown, he might go for 50 tonight. Has that look early.
December 29, 2025 at 12:15 AM
27 points for Jaylen Brown at halftime.
11-for-16 shooting. Good mix of drives, pullups and free throws.
This run this month is the best Jaylen Brown has ever played. That's saying a lot, because he was a Finals MVP.
11-for-16 shooting. Good mix of drives, pullups and free throws.
This run this month is the best Jaylen Brown has ever played. That's saying a lot, because he was a Finals MVP.
Really nice touch from Neemias Queta on the spin move out of the face-up against Donovan Clingan.
December 29, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Really nice touch from Neemias Queta on the spin move out of the face-up against Donovan Clingan.
Watch Hugo Gonzalez after a whistle during play. He's always doing something weird or funny. He's been a fun guy to watch so far this season.
December 29, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Watch Hugo Gonzalez after a whistle during play. He's always doing something weird or funny. He's been a fun guy to watch so far this season.
If Portland wasn't throwing the ball away on these unforced turnovers, they'd be blowing out Boston.
Celtics have been really sloppy themselves, especially on defense. Plus, shooting has gone cold.
Celtics have been really sloppy themselves, especially on defense. Plus, shooting has gone cold.
December 28, 2025 at 11:49 PM
If Portland wasn't throwing the ball away on these unforced turnovers, they'd be blowing out Boston.
Celtics have been really sloppy themselves, especially on defense. Plus, shooting has gone cold.
Celtics have been really sloppy themselves, especially on defense. Plus, shooting has gone cold.
Portland is throwing some zone looks. Either 2-1-2 or 3-2 looks. Either way, it's reliant on Donovan Clingan closing out to the corner from the block. That leaves him on an island without much size behind him. Jaylen Brown got a layup out of it earlier. Something to watch.
December 28, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Portland is throwing some zone looks. Either 2-1-2 or 3-2 looks. Either way, it's reliant on Donovan Clingan closing out to the corner from the block. That leaves him on an island without much size behind him. Jaylen Brown got a layup out of it earlier. Something to watch.
Celtics perimeter defense has been a little sloppy. Causing Neemias Queta to rotate over to help a lot and that's leaving Donovan Clingan open on dives to the rim.
December 28, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Celtics perimeter defense has been a little sloppy. Causing Neemias Queta to rotate over to help a lot and that's leaving Donovan Clingan open on dives to the rim.
Early foul trouble again for Jordan Walsh. Ran himself into that one. Should have given the ball up.
Walsh getting himself into foul trouble has been a thing over the last few games. Something he has to figure out now that he's such a big part of Boston's rotation.
Walsh getting himself into foul trouble has been a thing over the last few games. Something he has to figure out now that he's such a big part of Boston's rotation.
December 28, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Early foul trouble again for Jordan Walsh. Ran himself into that one. Should have given the ball up.
Walsh getting himself into foul trouble has been a thing over the last few games. Something he has to figure out now that he's such a big part of Boston's rotation.
Walsh getting himself into foul trouble has been a thing over the last few games. Something he has to figure out now that he's such a big part of Boston's rotation.
If Portland doesn't run a second guy at Jaylen Brown, he might go for 50 tonight. Has that look early.
December 28, 2025 at 11:16 PM
If Portland doesn't run a second guy at Jaylen Brown, he might go for 50 tonight. Has that look early.
What a monster effort from Scottie Barnes tonight. 23 rebounds and counting. He's just owned the paint all game.
December 28, 2025 at 11:13 PM
What a monster effort from Scottie Barnes tonight. 23 rebounds and counting. He's just owned the paint all game.
OKC did a good job putting the clamps on the Philly ballhandlers and forcing turnovers to run away with this one in the second half. Sixers didn't handle the amped up physicality on defense very well, plus release valves weren't there. Lots of standing vs coming to the ball.
December 28, 2025 at 10:48 PM
OKC did a good job putting the clamps on the Philly ballhandlers and forcing turnovers to run away with this one in the second half. Sixers didn't handle the amped up physicality on defense very well, plus release valves weren't there. Lots of standing vs coming to the ball.
It was nice to see Cody Williams take advantage of getting some minutes. There's a potential role to be carved out with Ace Bailey hurt, but Williams has to prove he's earned the minutes. Such a rocky start to his career.
December 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It was nice to see Cody Williams take advantage of getting some minutes. There's a potential role to be carved out with Ace Bailey hurt, but Williams has to prove he's earned the minutes. Such a rocky start to his career.
Really good minutes from Kevin McCullar last night for the Knicks. They're down wings and McCullar was a really pleasant surprise for New York.
December 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Really good minutes from Kevin McCullar last night for the Knicks. They're down wings and McCullar was a really pleasant surprise for New York.
Keon Ellis starts and plays 32 minutes. Plays good defense and hits a bunch of shots. Kings win.
Basketball can be a pretty simple game sometimes.
Basketball can be a pretty simple game sometimes.
December 28, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Keon Ellis starts and plays 32 minutes. Plays good defense and hits a bunch of shots. Kings win.
Basketball can be a pretty simple game sometimes.
Basketball can be a pretty simple game sometimes.
Upset day around the NBA today, huh?
December 28, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Upset day around the NBA today, huh?