Welcome to a new feature at Crossover Chronicles: You’ve Got NBA Mail.
The best way to explain the shenanigans ahead is to simply say that our staff sometimes emails each other, as staffs tend to do. Well, we decided to publish some of what was said because we want to run for President, and transparency is key.
A few things worth pointing out before moving forward: CC’s managing editor, Matt Zemek, will usually appear in these threads, but last night was a two-man game with Jared Mintz and myself talking about basketball… and occasionally some other topics. Email threads can and will venture in all directions, so while the transcripts will always be real-time reflections of what we discussed while watching a night of NBA basketball, they are of course edited (truncated) versions of what a few CC staff writers talked about.
This is a way of giving you our staff’s reactions to a night of NBA basketball on a consistent basis throughout the season. Every few days, you’ll get some “NBA mail” in your Crossover Chronicles inbox.
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I will leave some little recaps of what the hell is exactly going on in the thread. We don’t want you to feel lost if there’s too much “inside baseball.” Also, all times stamps are Eastern.
Okay… let’s basketball.
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Jared Mintz (7:49) What are you most excited about tonight? I know they’re getting step-child treatment, but I might be more pumped for this Atlanta-Detroit game than anything. Can’t wait to see how SVG’s squad looks a year-in, very pumped for Andre Drummond, and I think they have a few guys who could really make big leaps this season. Also, Atlanta won 60-games last year, and I think they’re still going to destroy worlds this year, maybe to lesser extents
Sent from my iPhone
Hey, we are off to a normal start. Jared acted all professional. He knew we were posting this, which explains him being on the all-human being first team.
Joseph Nardone (7:51) Hoiberg. I am excited for Fred Hoiberg. I want to know if the reclamation project — also known as “Save a White Guy” narrative — of Doug McDermott will happen. Rather excited to see if it is as up-tempo, three-point heavy as it was when he was with Iowa State.
Games start soon. Real soon. So soon that I can feel the regret already settling in for all those who picked Detroit as a sleeper team.
Jared Mintz (8:00) Ok, I lied, we’re minutes from tip off and I cannot wait to see what LeBron has in store this year. I don’t think he’ll be the league’s MVP but there’s no way he doesn’t win a couple of Player of the Months, and finish near the top of voting.Sent from my iPhone
Joseph Nardone (8:10) Richard Jefferson still plays basketball…
Jared Mintz (8:31) I really hope this year brings us a Matthew Dellavedova revenge tour. Not where he flourishes, but where he becomes the new Brandon Knight and consistently gets dunked on and hit with the nastiest of crossovers. Id settle for video of Kyrie or J.R. embarrassing him in practice.Sent from my iPhoneJoseph Nardone (8:33) What if Delly dunks on Noah tonight, then dances like Drake, though?
Jared Mintz (9:13) Was eating dinner/watching the Mets. So are the Cavs a huge disappointment or is Chicago the eventual champs based off this first half of basketball?
Sent from my iPhone
Joseph Nardone (10:07) I’m a horrible friend. What did you have for dinner?Jared Mintz (10:17) My old lady made lasagna actually, it was ballin’.Kevin Love is not clutch.Sent from my iPhone
Jared Mintz (10:27) Skip and Screamin A are gonna sleep well tonight knowing they can talk about LeBron not being clutch tomorrow.
Also shout out to you, Joe, on your boy Hoiberg’s first professional win.Sent from my iPhone
Joseph Nardone (10:59) It’s 11 Eastern and this game has yet to start. Thanks, Obama.
Jared Mintz (11:18) Obligatory Kendrick Perkins comment. Maybe this is the year he reaches his full upside. Maybe not.Sent from my iPhone
Joseph Nardone (11:21) He’s on pace for more than a 100. IDC if it’s unrealistic. IDC IDC IDC
Jared Mintz (11:36) It’s unreal that Ish Smith hasn’t been able to stick around with a team. I really think this is gonna be his year, and New Orleans/Gentry is a good fit for him.Sent from my iPhone
Joseph Nardone (11:58) Random thought: AD’s development of his three-point shot has him going all Sheed. Needs to realize that new talent is a luxury for him, not his bread & butter.Jared Mintz (11:59) #GentryficationSent from my iPhone
Joseph Nardone (2:10 am) I fell asleep. I’m old. I failed us all. Going to the bathroom, then back to bed.