Welcome to Layup Traces, For the Win’s basketball e-newsletter. Subscribe right here to get it delivered to your inbox each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Have suggestions for the Layup Traces Crew? Depart your questions, feedback and considerations by this temporary reader survey. Now, right here’s Mike Sykes
Completely satisfied Friday, people! Welcome again to Layup Traces. Thanks a lot for becoming a member of me at present. I hope you’ve had week to date.
My Friday was going nice…till I heard Jaylen Brown rapping on a brand new tune with A$AP Ferg.
And, look, I’m not anti-athletes rapping. I really get pleasure from it once we see athletes get into a distinct bag than the one we’re used to.
Damian Lillard is nice at it, clearly. You recognize who else is absolutely good? Flau’jae Johnson. She’s received star potential on and off the courtroom, which is fairly spectacular. That’s the identical stuff Shaq used to do.
You recognize who isn’t excellent at it? Jaylen. Brown. This was…not nice.
Once I heard him rhyme monogamy with astronomy I knew it was time for me to take a look at. Let’s simply say this wasn’t for me.
WARNING: There may be some NSFW language included on this tweet
Jaylen Brown x A$AP Ferg 🚨
“Simply Do It” 📀
How y’all feeling it? pic.twitter.com/MjbTjMutoQ
— REVOLT (@revolttv) August 23, 2024
I get what Brown was attempting to do right here. Vocally, he appears like a mixture of early Dom Kennedy and present Larry June. It type of works, however it’s simply not that easy. That is someplace between higher than Dwyane Wade (yikes, this was unhealthy) and worse than Kevin Durant (Nonetheless not nice!).
I’d give Brown an A for effort right here. However, uh, it’s best to most likely follow your day job, Mr. Finals MVP.
Relaxation in peace, Al Attles
On a extra severe be aware, the sport misplaced certainly one of its legends this week.
Warriors legend Al Attles died on Wednesday, the staff introduced on social media.
He performed for the Warriors for 10 years from the 1960-61 season by the 1970-71 season. Throughout that point, the staff transitioned from Philadelphia to San Francisco. It’s remained within the Bay Space since.
He was a bruiser — a bodily participant they nicknamed “The Destroyer” due to how relentless he was on the courtroom.
Remembering Alvin Attles (1936-2024) pic.twitter.com/k8r7FbVg4Q
— NBA Historical past (@NBAHistory) August 22, 2024
He transitioned to being a player-coach throughout the 1969-70 season and have become the full-time coach from 1970 till 1983. On the courtroom, Attles led the Warriors to a 1975 championship over the Bullets in a four-game sweep. He has 557 wins, which nonetheless stands as essentially the most in franchise historical past.
Pretty much as good of a coach as he was on the courtroom, he meant much more of it.
Attles was one of many first Black head coaches within the NBA, following in Invoice Russell’s and the Celtics’ footsteps. With out him, the league wouldn’t be the place it’s at present.
What a legend. We’ll miss you, Al.
Shootaround
— They’d the Warriors everywhere in the DNC this week. Sheesh.
— Sue Hen has three groups she wouldn’t need to play within the playoffs this yr, together with Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever. Meg Corridor has extra.
— The NBAPA may most likely study a factor or two from the CBA the NWSLPA put collectively. That is unimaginable.
— This cool second between Tina Charles and Diana Taurasi is what sports activities is all about, man. Right here’s Cory Woodroof with extra.
That’s a wrap, people. Thanks a lot for rocking with us at present. We recognize you. We’ll have extra subsequent week. Speak to you then.
Peace.
-Sykes ✌️
