Sam Amick

Sam Amick

@samamick.bsky.social

Senior NBA writer, The Athletic Previously: The Sacramento Bee, AOL FanHouse, Sports Illustrated, USA Today The Athletic archive: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/sam-amick/ The old-school stuff: https://nbaconfidential.wordpress.com/the-archive/

33.5K followers112 following181 posts

Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

Finals news and notes, at @theathletic.com * On Gregg Popovich’s pre-Game 3 plane speech in San Antonio * Talking with Steph Castle about why he pushed his way to San Antonio in the draft (and not Houston) * Sources: Kings and Hornets talk Sabonis trade www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

nytimes.comCalm, confident Spurs continue to show the influence of Gregg Popovich in NBA Finals (Gift Article)Legendary coach gave a message to the team ahead of Game 3 that reinforced the qualities that got San Antonio to the finals.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

On KAT, his incredible play that has set the stage for Knicks history (while quieting the Giannis noise), Adam Silver’s load management logic, and Jalen Brunson winning the small point guard debate, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

nytimes.comWhat we’re hearing about Karl-Anthony Towns’ NBA Finals play impacting Knicks, Giannis (Gift Article)How will Karl-Anthony Towns' evolution in the 2026 NBA playoffs impact the Knicks' future payroll and Giannis Antetokounmpo's trade market?
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

What we’re hearing about the Giannis Antetokounmpo landscape, and how he might see some of the top suitors, as the Bucks’ (self-imposed) draft day deadline nears, w/ @ericnehmbot.mirrors.bot, at @theathletic.com (Story open to all) www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

nytimes.comWhat we’re hearing about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade market as NBA Finals begin (Gift Article)Miami? Boston? Orlando? Cleveland? Each playoff round provides more intel for the Milwaukee Bucks as they weigh an Antetokounmpo trade.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

It has been a very productive postseason for the Milwaukee Bucks, even if they’re not in it… Re-assessing the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market now that so many potential suitors had disappointing finishes, w/ @ericnehmbot.mirrors.bot, at @theathletic.com (Free) www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...

nytimes.comWhat we’re hearing about the potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market (Gift Article)With many teams that have been tied to Antetokounmpo losing either in the Play-In or the first round, the Giannis market may open up again.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

The Reed Sheppard experience has been quite a thing these past two games. At any given moment - in between occasional reminders that he can actually play basketball at a high level - the Monstars come calling.

Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

Marveling at LeBron James’ middle-aged magic, and how he somehow has the Lakers in position to stun the Rockets here, @theathletic.com Come for the injury report on yours truly. Stay for the insightful convo on LBJ with Marcus Smart. www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

nytimes.comLeBron James still has it after all these years: ‘His body’s never stopped moving’In his 293rd career playoff game, 41-year-old LeBron James had 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds and was in complete control.

Sam Amick reposted

The Athletic
@theathletic.com

Replying to @theathletic.com

“There’s no way a guy at 41 should still be moving and doing the things at that level that he does it at, right?” @samamick.bsky.social on LeBron James' command in the Lakers' Game 1 win over the Rockets ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

nytimes.comLeBron James still has it after all these years: ‘His body’s never stopped moving’In his 293rd career playoff game, 41-year-old LeBron James had 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds and was in complete control.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

Sources: Despite the Kings’ brutal season, and amid league-wide speculation that they might make a coaching change, Doug Christie is safe. Why the Kings chose to keep him at the helm for next season, and where they go from here, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

nytimes.comSacramento Kings expected to retain head coach Doug Christie: SourcesThe Kings are expected to keep Christie, who signed a three-year deal last summer, despite a 22-59 record.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

Why the discussion about Steph Curry sitting for the rest of the season, while the Warriors go tanking, was always so silly, at @theathletic.com Anyone who saw the reaction to his pregame routine on Wednesday night at Chase Center would see that much. www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

nytimes.comSteph Curry is close to returning for the Warriors, and we should all be thankfulCurry, who has been out since Jan. 30 with a knee injury, is aiming to come back for the 10th-place Warriors this weekend.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

Monday morning musings, at @theathletic.com * On SGA catching Wilt in the 20-plus club, and why it warrants a pause in the officiating conversation * ROY race: Cooper returning & Kon’s (compelling) candidacy * The Warriors’ Porzingis problem (Free link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

nytimes.comShai Gilgeous-Alexander nears Wilt’s record, Kon Knueppel’s ROY case and more (Gift Article)Plus, more on the Warriors' Kristaps Porziņģis, his mysterious health history and his impending free agency.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

Inside the Suns' surprise season, and Mat Ishbia's choice to overhaul the organization his way, at @theathletic.com "I'm unapologetically Mat Ishbia." The Suns owner unpacks it all: The unorthodox GM hire, coaching changes, Durant, regrets and much more... www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

nytimes.comMat Ishbia sank the Suns by chasing superstars. Then he turned Phoenix into winnersThe Phoenix Suns owner realized he was going to get criticized regardless. So now, "I'm unapologetically Mat Ishbia."
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

What I’m hearing about the Knicks’ struggles and the Karl-Anthony Towns questions, a look at the LaMelo Ball situation and what Charlotte might do at the trade deadline, Kings corner and much more, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

nytimes.comWhat we’re hearing about Karl-Anthony Towns’ Knicks future, plus more NBA trade intelWith the Knicks floundering, would they really consider trading Karl-Anthony Towns? Plus more on Lamelo Ball, Ja Morant.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

Weekly roundup of of our NBA trade buzz, at @theathletic.com, including my read on the Ja Morant situation and why what he wants (Miami) isn’t what matters most here. A boo-bird/Bucks watch on the Giannis front, Kuminga, AD, Timberwolves and more… www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

nytimes.comWhat we’re hearing about Ja Morant’s tepid trade market, plus more deadline buzzJa Morant's trade saga underscores the difference between teams simply showing interest in a player and legitimately pursuing him in a deal.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

It’s Jonathan Kuminga day - and he’s still on the Warriors. An inside look at this broken relationship and why, even with Jan. 15 finally arriving, a resolution still isn’t in sight, with @thompsonscribe.bsky.social and Nick Friedell, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

nytimes.comHow Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors drifted apart — and why a split maybe isn’t imminentWith Kuminga now trade eligible, the Warriors' front office faces a defining decision.

Sam Amick reposted

Mike Vorkunov
@mikevorkunov.bsky.social

Well this is a hell of an interview that @samamick.bsky.social had with Giannis. Not gonna spoil it but Giannis made a lot of strong declarative statements about his present and future in Milwaukee www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...

nytimes.comGiannis says he will never ask for trade from Bucks: ‘That’s not in my nature’In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Antetokounmpo reiterated his commitment to Milwaukee but noted it's "as of today."
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

The latest on Anthony Davis, why his camp wants him traded before the Feb. 5 deadline, and the difficult dynamics Dallas is dealing with among suitors, at @theathletic.com (w/ @christianclark3.bsky.social) www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

nytimes.comWhat we’re hearing about Anthony Davis and a possible trade from the MavericksWith Dallas struggling to hold down a Play-In Tournament spot, will the team look to deal its star big man before the Feb. 5 trade deadline?
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

Under pressure: A deeper look at five teams that are front and center as the NBA trade deadline nears. Intel on the Hawks (Trae, AD/Risacher?), Clippers plans, Bucks buying, the Warriors’ dilemma, and Lakers’ pursuits, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

nytimes.comFive NBA teams that desperately need to make a trade before the deadlineWith Hawks, Lakers, Warriors and more feeling the pressure, here's what they're considering ahead of the trade deadline.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

On Giannis’ windmill that left the Bulls seeing red late Saturday night, at @theathletic.com Amid all of the messiness that surrounds him, and with the Bucks stubbornly signaling that he’s going nowhere, it was a refreshing reminder that he’s one of a kind. www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

nytimes.comGiannis throws down: ‘We’re fighting for our lives and we gotta get our hands dirty’His late windmill may have been an affront to basketball decorum, but to Giannis Antetokounpo, it was an absolute necessity.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

The annual NBA front office rankings are back - with 36 execs weighing in - and one thing remains unchanged: OKC stands alone at the top. See how the top 10 unfolded, with a bonus question about front offices on the rise, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

nytimes.comWhich NBA teams have the best front offices? Here’s how 36 executives votedThree dozen decision-makers across the league weighed in on their peers, what they admire and who stands above the rest.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

An urgent call for a meeting, change of travel plans, plane delay and a late-night hoops divorce that shocked the NBA world: Inside the stunning Chris Paul exit from the Clippers, with @lawmurraythenu.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social , at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

nytimes.comHow Chris Paul’s short-lived reunion with the LA Clippers fell apartChris Paul returned to a Clippers team many believed could compete for a title. Instead, LA is 5-16 and Paul is no longer with the team.
Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social

Can OKC - now 21-1 after beating Golden State - break the 73-win record? The resident experts, Steve Kerr and Draymond Green, weigh in. A deep (data) dive on how this Thunder team compares (so far) to the 2015-16 Warriors, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

nytimes.comCan the Thunder break Golden State’s 73-win record? The Warriors say yesAfter beating Golden State to improve to 21-1, OKC is chasing the 2015-16 Warriors. "I do think they're capable," Draymond Green said.