Steve Jones
stevejones20.bsky.social
Steve Jones
@stevejones20.bsky.social
son of a legend. PDX. D1 Ball at UNLV/ASU. Co-host of The Dunker Spot. 5+ years of NBA exp. Former Asst. Coach w/Nets, Video w/Grizz. 0-2 as a Head Coach in Summer League. shjones1@gmail.com
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The trade deadline has come and gone which has me wondering...what does that mean for the Eastern Conference?

sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...
After NBA trade deadline moves, who is the team to beat in the East?
In a conference that is wide open, one team could shake things up.
sports.yahoo.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:53 PM
TURN UP BAD BUNNY LET'S GOOOOOO
February 9, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Entirely too early Ayo Dosunmu thoughts in Minnnesota: active on defense, switchable (see it off ball), the drives (especially in transition) could pop.
February 8, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Celtics held the Knicks to 7 of 22 from the field in the third (31.8%) the tough part is the Celtics also *shot* 6 of 25 from the field (24%), 0 of 10 from 3 and Jaylen Brown scored 13 of their 15 points.
February 8, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Value of adding Jose Alvarado here for the Knicks. End of quarter, Celtics are trying to put Jalen Brunson in action vs. Jaylen Brown. Alvarado switches on to Pritchard so White goes to screen. Alvarado sees it and kicks Brunson out so he can switch vs. Brown.
February 8, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Nice first quarter for the Knicks. Helps when Jalen Brunson is cooking to that degree and you shoot 62% from the field. But 15 made field goals and 10 assists is good and the defense felt solid throughout.
February 8, 2026 at 6:09 PM
More you watch the Celtics the more you get how committed they are to their identity. They just really work to not beat themselves. Don't turn the ball over, work to get back in transition, protect the paint and try to find quality shots. Isn't always pretty but they correct
February 8, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Harden gets a screen from Jaylon Tyson early in the clock and while that's fun, you have to tip the cap to the work Tyson does as a screener. Screens and the Kings switch. Before you can blink, Tyson is already into a re-screen and already slipping out.
February 8, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Dribble handoff for James Harden and see you what he can do vs. drop and what it looks like with Cleveland's wheel. Harden makes sure to engage the big, Tyson cuts from the corner and Merrill fills. Weakside not all the way in so Allen is there for a late roll.
February 8, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Keeping an eye on how the James Harden/Jarrett Allen P&R chemistry develops. High P&R can engage a big early, opens Allen back up on the short roll. Combine that with Cleveland's spacing/cutting and should give it a boost.
February 8, 2026 at 3:19 PM
It's Mitchell, Merrill, Ellis, Harden and Allen and Kenny Atkinson going from three guard lineups to "actually, James Harden you're the 4" is a fun bit.
February 8, 2026 at 5:15 AM
Some off ball movement for James Harden, pindown before the dribble handoff. Value in his drives and him being able to end possessions
February 8, 2026 at 5:12 AM
So I thought the Cavs would have more driving I didn't know that would mean Donovan Mitchell would drive *more*
February 8, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Not a ton new but there just has not been a lot of hesitation from Jaren Jackson Jr to take advantage of the space.
February 8, 2026 at 12:37 AM
You can see Jaren Jackson Jr's fit within Utah's spacing and concepts. Second time they have ran this for him early, starts at the top and gets a backscreen. Magic switch it, Jazz go right to JJJ in the post.
February 8, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Early usage for Jaren Jackson Jr in Utah. Double drag with him and Nurkic as screeners. JJJ slips to the wing, catches and swings. Flows into empty side pick and roll, able to roll for 2.
February 8, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Sheppard pre-determines a pocket pass to KD when OKC is switching with Wallace/Caruso
Sengun dribbles the ball down to 14 and goes into a dribble handoff.

Houston has to hit the pressure points in the 4th.
February 7, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Back and forth again. OKC's defensive personnel means you can have Alex Caruso duck under a pindown and go under P&R. Means you can switch Cason Wallace on to KD when Houston uses him as a screener. Houston having KD means he can take and make this shot and it doesn't matter.
February 7, 2026 at 10:51 PM
OKC just gets to casually throw Jared McCain out there to make a three and kick for another and alright.
February 7, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Through 3 quarters, Houston with 29 made field goals, 20 assists. All five starters in double figures. Third quarter felt like they played off of how Sengun/KD were being defended. Methodical works better when they can force some help.
February 7, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Back and forth between Houston and OKC. Have been switching and showing doubles vs. Kevin Durant. Notice when KD catches it Dort showing early help but no hit. Kicks it and gets it back for a quick drive. More help comes and it's a kick for 3.
February 7, 2026 at 10:26 PM
World a difference for Houston just by starting the pindown for KD with 19-20 on the clock. OKC is switching all of the movement but you can churn through options, get to Sheppard/Sengun P&R and make the defense make *another* decision.
February 7, 2026 at 9:59 PM
One thing @nekiasnba.bsky.social hit on the Dunker Spot was Kevin Huerter's ability to play two man game with Detroit's bigs. DHO gets an under, goes right into pass and cut.
February 7, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Vucevic can give Boston a lift in the half court if teams are switching. Really committed to screening, rolling and working to seal. Miami was able to switch late, still sealed. Corner being empty helps, great pass from Derrick White.
February 7, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Little ways where Vucevic can add some balance to Boston in the half court. Heat trap Jaylen Brown in P&R, defenses is there on Vucevic's catch. Kicks it right out but Miami recovers. Then Vucevic goes to post, gets a front. Defense has to help and now he hits White cutting.
February 7, 2026 at 3:04 PM