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In this episode of No limit on roomsYahoo Sports Senior NBA Reporter Jake Fischer and Yahoo Sports Senior NBA Writer Dan Devine discuss MatrixBarack Obama’s nickname when talking to NBA players, the positive effects of muscle relaxants, and lots of basketball.
The guys kick things off with FIVE OUT, where they talk about five stories from around the world of basketball, starting with Team USA’s rout of Team Canada in an exhibition game in Las Vegas last night. While the rest of the league might be playing catch-up in terms of top-tier basketball talent, the U.S. still has a clear advantage in depth, and their backup unit showed that against Canada.
That reserve team did not feature Kawhi Leonard, who is no longer with Team USA amid some concerning reports about his knee health. Instead, he’s going to use the offseason to prepare for the Clippers’ upcoming season and his place will be taken by Derrick White, which led to some hurt feelings for Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown.
Cooper Flagg, the 17-year-old who will go to Duke and will likely be the first pick in next year’s draft, was very impressive playing on the draft team against Team USA. It would be one thing to do that against regular NBA players, but to have that kind of performance against all of these future Hall of Famers is a great sign for Flagg’s future.
After some free agency talk (Saddiq Bey signing with the Wizards, possible re-signings for Jalen Brunson and Lauri Markkanen), the boys turn their attention to the Miami Heat. The Heat just lost Caleb Martin to the rival 76ers, and most of the team they led to the Finals two years ago is gone. Will this be the last time Jimmy Butler’s Heat get together?
Finally, as a way to preview the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, each of the guys picks a rookie they’ll be watching and a second-year player they hope will make the jump when games begin tomorrow.
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