The Opening Tip

• A camper embarrasses an NBA player 
• A big decision for LeBron looms 
• Your chance to cosplay a 1980s Laker or Celtic

1. Dejounte Murray’s aggro boy summer

It’s, uh, really the offseason. Not much is going on league-wise, but a flurry of NBA players have been popping up in various pro-am leagues lately:

• We’ve gotten LeBron almost losing at the Drew League; Trae Young actually losing at the Drew League; John Collins getting posterized at the Drew League; and now, a long-simmering NBA beef brought to light.

What happened: Dejounte Murray and Paolo Branchero were playing together at the Zeke-End Pro-Am yesterday, when Murray hit Branchero with this elaborately disrespectful series of moves:

(Side note: Murray, who’s kept busy by embarrassing 9-to-5 Joes and trashing the Spurs, has been a menace this summer.)

Branchero, the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft who apparently grew up knowing Murray, responded to the disrespect on IG:
 

That set Murray off, who immediately responded back by accusing Branchero of being a sell out. Read in full here.

Anyways, the actual NBA season starts Oct. 19.

2. Daily GIF: Camper > Jalen Green

This also happened over the weekend. No IG beef afterwards. 

3. Trivia time

Five NBA teams have gone a decade or more without winning a playoff series. How many can you name?

Answers at the bottom.

4. LeBron’s sorta on the clock

As of Aug. 3, LeBron has been eligible to sign a two-year, $97M extension with the Lakers. So far, nothing’s happened, though there have been ‘productive talks.’ 

• He is technically ‘extension eligible’ until June 30, 2023, so nothing technically has to happen right now, but if he enters this offseason without an extension, we’re likely to see LeBron hit unrestricted free agency for the fourth time in his career. 

At that point … we could be talking LeBron to Cleveland, part 3.

5. Short Kings, look away

This (real) ad circulated Twitter last week for the second season of HBO’s Winning Time, which is looking for actors to play a bunch of very tall NBA players from the 1980s.

A few notes from the full ad: 

• You must be 6-foot-2 or taller.
• You don’t need any acting experience.
• Basketball experience is preferred.
• You have to be ages 20-30.

If that sounds like you, go ahead and email BBPlayercasting@gmail.com

6.  The one thing you should read on Bill Russell

• Bill Russell deserves our reverence, understanding and respect [ESPN]

Trivia answer: Timberwolves, Hornets, Kings, Pistons, Magic