The NBA All-Star break is here — and as is our tradition, that means it’s time to hand out some awards. For some reason, we in the NBA media still call this the “midway point” of the year, even though teams have played nearly 75 percent of the games. It’s not actually midseason, though, so […]
As we look back on the highs and lows of 2021’s sports calendar, it’s tempting to crown certain teams as the best — or worst — in all of sports, not just their sport. That’s been difficult to do across the pro sports landscape … until now. We here at FiveThirtyEight made a concerted effort […]
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played a game against the Chicago Bulls last month that on the surface seemed conventional, if impressive. His numbers were great, although not unheard of, as he finished with 33 points and 10 assists in an overtime win. But his insistence on attacking the rim was historic. Approximately two out of every five […]
No NBA team had a busier offseason than the Oklahoma City Thunder. After being eliminated from the 2020 playoffs by the rival Houston Rockets, the Thunder parted ways with longtime head coach Billy Donovan, with the two sides mutually agreeing not to pursue a new contract. A little more than two months later, the Thunder […]
After playing the game of his life, Luguentz Dort slumped in his chair. His eyes slightly reddened, he did his best to answer questions, occasionally wiping tears from his face, as his accomplishments and emotions were overwhelmed by a settling reality. “I mean, we lost,” Dort told FiveThirtyEight weeks after that September night. “I had […]