Tom Ziller
teamziller.bsky.social
Tom Ziller
@teamziller.bsky.social
I write a daily NBA newsletter. teamziller.com
Wrote about how the cold, calculating Clippers didn't want to pay the price for Norm Powell, so now they are paying the price for trading Norm Powell. www.teamziller.com/norman-powel...
The cold, calculating Clippers are paying a different Norm Powell price
Los Angeles did the cap-savvy thing by trading their 32-year scorer before he needed an extension. The result is a 4-10 record.
www.teamziller.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Against my better judgment, I wrote about the Kings. 🔓 www.teamziller.com/sacramento-k...
November 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Not to beat a dead horse, but the Pelicans' decision-making has been an all-out disaster since June. www.teamziller.com/willie-green...
Good for Willie Green
Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver put a coach they didn't trust in charge of a roster no one could fully trust with a couple of huge bets on the line. How did it possibly go wrong?
www.teamziller.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Also: Draymond Green will hear "An-gel Reese" chants taking free throws at a road arena this season, and GMIB readers will know why.
November 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Wrote about the Warriors and Spurs, whose Friday instant classic stuck with me, and who are on opposite ends of the development curve but could both disrupt the West playoffs www.teamziller.com/warriors-vs-...
Dangerous near death, dangerous in discovery
The Warriors and Spurs played two close games including an instant classic on Friday. The teams showed how dangerous they both are at opposite ends of the development curve.
www.teamziller.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Tom Ziller
I’m excited for the USA vs World All Star format mostly because I want to see which guys denounce their heritage for a chance at an All Star selection, especially when there are contract incentives involved.

Like, does Sabonis play the “I was born in Portland” card?
November 14, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I played out the new USA vs. USA vs. The World All-Star format and folks, let me tell you: we might see some Americans getting their asses wholly kicked. www.teamziller.com/nba-all-star...
November 14, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Tom Ziller
No idea why the NBA YouTube page posted this now, but I'll see you in 22 minutes and 40 seconds
November 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Nikola Jokic had 52 in three quarters against a good center. He's shooting 78% on twos and 42% on threes. He's better than ever, possibly. There's a chance we're talking about him in the top-5 all time by the end of the season, if we're not already there. www.teamziller.com/nikola-jokic...
3-time MVP Nikola Jokic is somehow better than ever
He had 52 in three quarters and outscored the Clippers' starting five by himself.
www.teamziller.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Tom Ziller
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.

Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Desperately rooting for the Clippers to make a run and force a reluctant Jokic to put a 70 piece on their heads.
Tremendous levels of belt applied by Jokic... all game long

25 in first quarter
33 at halftime
52 entering 4th quarter

The Clippers defense is broken

106-90 Nuggets lead after Jokic went 7 for 7 in the third quarter
November 13, 2025 at 5:30 AM
The Pistons shouldn’t trade a bunch of stuff for Markkanen. They should trade some stuff for Zach LaVine and Dennis Schroder.
November 13, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Reposted by Tom Ziller
Absolutely diabolical headline & art combo from @teamziller.bsky.social this morning. I am in awe.
November 12, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Maybe the Kings can try firing Mike Brown again?
November 13, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Today's GMIB on Patrick Dumont firing Nico Harrison without acknowledging that Nico screwed up or laying out a path to recovery for the team (plus the daily Scores) is unlocked for all readers: www.teamziller.com/nico-harriso...
Nico and the damage done
The Mavericks exile Nico Harrison nine months after he traded Luka Doncic. The damage is done, and the team has now acknowledged the mistake it made. What now?
www.teamziller.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Reposted by Tom Ziller
For years, advertising has been how Stereogum made money to pay its writers. While we made progress moving away from that model, Google AI search has decimated the business almost overnight. Today we relaunch with a greater focus on subscription. We’d love your support: stereogum.com/2478838/ster...
November 10, 2025 at 11:40 PM
November 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
That was the wildest night of regular season NBA basketball I can remember. www.teamziller.com/andrew-wiggi...
The night of a thousand prayers
The NBA fandom's blood pressure collectively increased on Monday night with all the buzzer beaters and whatnot. Good morning. Let's basketball.
www.teamziller.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I don't really know anything about this dude or his politics but I'm over here clapping. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcjm...
Scott Galloway - Empathy for Men Is Not a Zero-Sum Game in "Notes on Being a Man" | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Rodger is a delight to read on any sports exclamation point topic. Strong recommend.
i hear this is an app for talking about sports

so I wanted to let you guys know about my new newsletter and YouTube channel where we can talk about sports
A major announcement (!)
Get ready for more newsletters and more videos from Rodger. Welcome to Sports!
rodgersherman.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I wrote about why the Jazz shouldn't trade Lauri Markkanen. The context of the roster around him has changed (despite Kessler's injury) and there is a path to a good team with Lauri soon. www.teamziller.com/lauri-markka...
The Jazz don't need to trade Lauri Markkanen
In the new NBA, rebuilds can turn quickly. Utah has a path to join that club ... if they keep the Finnisher. Good morning. Let's basketball.
www.teamziller.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I distinctly remember Nico Harrison calling the Mavericks a championship contender *before* they won the lottery. How's that going? www.teamziller.com/dallas-maver...
Is anyone seeing the vision in Dallas yet?
The Mavericks, befuddled by injuries to players with long injury histories, lose to a dead team walking. Good morning. Let's basketball.
www.teamziller.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Oh yeah I wrote a newsletter this morning. Unlocked. Read it if you want. Who cares? Go Bulls? www.teamziller.com/bulls-vs-six...
The Bulls are not a mirage
GOOD MORNING. Let's basketball.
www.teamziller.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM
1. James Naismith was alive until Chuck Grassley was in grade school.

2. Grassley was born a year earlier than Elgin Baylor and Bill Russell.

3. Grassley became a Senator in 1981 at age 48 (7 years older than LeBron is now). In '81, LeBron was not yet born. Grassley is still in the Senate.
lololoollol Chuck Grassley got crossed up by Naismith
November 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM