New Season Awaits for National Basketball Association

NBA Restart of 2020-21 Season Awaits December 22nd

As we take an in-depth look at all the moving parts that set up the NBA’s return in December. With only 71 days between the end of the 2020 NBA Finals and the start of the NBA 2020-2021 season, players are reporting back to their teams. The NBA Draft will commence this week, this time with a new virtual experience due to the global pandemic. NBA hopefuls will have a once in a lifetime opportunity, a moment that they’ve been chasing since they were old enough to pick up a basketball.

With about a month separation between the NBA Draft and the start of the season on December 22nd gives teams and players an open window for new acquisitions. The anticipation of NBA Free Agency will be real this year, with various trade rumours circulating the media. One blockbuster trade that went down earlier this week included sending NBA All-Star Guard Chris Paul to the Pheonix Suns in exchange for Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, Ty Jerome, Jelene Lecque and a draft pick for the OKC Thunder. It will be interesting to see how the NBA will implement the new COVID-19 protocols, training camp options, and ultimately bringing back fans into arenas.

2020-2021 Season Start

The Los Angeles Lakers were apart of history last season after defeating the Miami Heat in 6 games. LeBron James won his 4th NBA Title in one of the most unique and unprecedented seasons in NBA history. Now, as the Lakers prep for their upcoming season, the essence of time will not work in their favour. From the day they won the title until the start of the 2020-2021 season, the Lakers will only have 71 days to gear up for their first game. There have been some changes added to the 2020-2021 season, including the 72-game format that will extend into July, finishing before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. From a media standpoint, TV broadcast partners ESPN and Turner Sports is scheduled to televise all 72 games. Since the restart of the NBA season back in July, viewership has increased over 50% and sport media channels such as Bleacher Report, Overtime, and House Of Highlights have utilize the ultimate virtual experience.

NBA Draft

The highly anticipated 2020 NBA draft took place virtually, live from the ESPN studios in Connecticut Commissioner Adam Silver will introduce the draft class of 2020. The number one pick was Anthony Edwards from the University of Georgia. Edwards will team up with Karl Anthony-Towns in Minnesota, the 6-5 explosive guard will fit right in the backcourt will D’Angelo Russel and their young core. At number two, The Golden State Warriors selected James Wiseman from Memphis. The projected number one pick will be an intricate piece to the Warriors puzzle as they look to get back to title contention.

“Man straight blessing for real, I’m just real happy to be here. I don’t really have enough words to say, I’m just blessed. ”

— LaMelo Ball

Wiseman is an athletic big that has the potential to be a transcendental player of his draft class. The Charlotte Hornets received the most talented offensive player of the draft with LaMelo Ball. Ball was selected at number three overall and will join a solid backcourt with Terry Rozier and Dante Graham. The case has been made that LaMelo has the highest ceiling amongst other prospects, the 6-foot-7 guard possess unique playmaking ability and poise that one just can’t teach. All rookies have little turnaround time between draft night and the start of training camp on December 1st due to the unprecedented circumstances of the season.

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Free Agency

NBA Free Agency kicks off this Friday, 2020 free agents won’t have the allotted time like last year when more the 30% of players were available. With free agency and training camps just 11 days apart, players and teams will have to adapt quickly and use every minute to their advantage. There are still some players out in the market that will be testing free agency. The headlines include Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Raptors Fred VanVleet, and LA Lakers Anthony Davis. Rumours have circulated in the media that Houston’s Russell Westbrook and James Harden want out. Both players have expressed their deep concerns about the direction of the franchise.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets offered Harden a two-year, $103 million extension. However, Harden turned it down and made it clear to the organization that he’s not trying to rebuild and is focusing on competing for a title. Harden is considering his future with Brooklyn, the idea of uniting with former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni and former teammate Kevin Durant.

“I’m trying to get paid man. I’m not shy about that. I don’t have to tell people that I value winning.”

— Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet is betting on himself as he enters free agency with high hopes. The 2019 NBA Champion is coming off a 2-year $18M deal as a Raptor. According to sources, VanVleet is projected to sign a deal in the $85M range over four years. Teams that are the frontrunners include Pistons, Hornets, Hawks, Knicks, Suns, and Heat. It will be interesting to see if Toronto will match any outside offers. In yesterday’s NBA Draft, Raptors selected Guard Malachi Flynn from San Diego State. Will Raptors Flynn be a back-up to their lead guard Lowry or will they re-sign VanVleet in hopes of trading Lowry? With deadlines fast approaching and the 2020-2021 season around the corner, the NBA has become adaptable in a way that has changed the dynamics of professional sports.

Feature: NBA

Written by: @TGQ.Inc

Produced by: @TGQ.Inc

Ethos of Sport and Business | The Athlete-preneur

LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving step outside the box of an athlete to craft a life post-career.

Overtime Athletes have begun to step outside the box of their respective fields to pursue another business acumen, whether its IPO’s, investing in start-ups or starting digital media companies, a defining change has transcended the sports world for years to come. Traditionally, athletes are pigeon-holed and are defined by what they do in their sport. Now in the ripe year of 2020, the culture of sport + business has evolved tremendously.

The Boardroom launched by Kevin Durant, RIch Kleiman, and Jay Williams

Several professional athletes like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have set the standards for building a business to grow for your post-career. Whether it’s setting up a digital media network in Uninterrupted, or developing an investment portfolios like ThirtyFiveVentures, or launching a video content platform in PlayersTV. The day in professional sports will come when athletes will make decisions that set them up for years to come. The average NBA career is 4.5 years, which is one NBA contract. The reality is that the future of pro sports will change, forcing the athletes to start thinking about post-career options. As the career goals of star athletes begin to change, they must think about what their future entails. 

“How well you play on the court determines how big your business grows. ”

— Kevin Durant

The implications of the global pandemic have changed the way our sports and entertainment business will run for years to come. With the exclusion of fan experiences, virtual events and meetings, its time for athletes to think creatively and fund their passions outside the sport. Here’s a glimpse of notable professionals athletes or what I like to phrase the term “Athlete-Preneur” and some of their business acumen off the court. Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant has used his time off the court to focus on his business in New York City.

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1. Kevin Durant - Brooklyn Nets Forward, Co-Founder ThirtyFive Ventures

Kevin Durant has become a household name in the NBA. Now entering his 13th season, Durant has crafted a unique business off-court. The development of his company ThirtyFive Ventures includes a diverse investment portfolio in tech, media, and start-ups. Co-founded with his Manager Rich Kleiman, the two have created a team that is responsible for Durant's endorsements, philanthropic work, digital media network, and brand. Their unique investment portfolio includes the MLS club Philadelphia Union, Postmates, and Master + Dynamic.

Thirty5media

Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant Co-founded ThirtyFive Ventures with his Manager Rich Kleiman

On the digital content side, The Boardroom has become widely recognized across the sports media world, featuring some of the sports most iconic figures, including Jay Williams, Stephen A. Smith, Rich Paul, and more. Rich Kleiman recently created the Out Of Office Podcast, where he has candid conversations with the greatest minds in the sports business. Thirty-five Ventures has teamed up with Cadence 13, a New York-based podcast company responsible for audio distribution, monetization, and audience development. Durant also launched his podcast The ETCs with co-host Eddie Gonzalez. The first episode featured the 2016 NBA Champion Kyrie Irving. 

“Our goal is to keep growing as a company and keep bringing ideas that are going to help change and push the culture forward ”

— Kevin Durant

With all Durant’s unprecedented success on the court, he's recognized as one of the worlds wealthiest athletes. According to Forbes Magazine, Durant's current net worth includes his $225 million career earnings, $275 million Nike endorsement deal, plus his sponsorships. At the ripe age of 32, Durant is a Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni and is on the verge of creating a multi-million dollar media and investment empire.

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2. LeBron James- LA Lakers Forward, Co-Founder Uninterrupted, SpringHill Company

LeBron James has become no stranger to the sports business, with the creation of his developing his digital media platform Uninterrupted. LeBron James and team anchored by business partner Maverick Carter, Ernie Ramos, and Paul Rivera. James is a unique case study for athletes setting a blueprint and creating a business off the court. Before LeBron played an NBA game, Nike offered him a $90 million. Throughout his career, James help built the Nike business with over $340 Million in sales. Now James is building SpringHill Company with his partner Carter, developing several verticals, including SpringHill Entertainment, Uninterrupted, and The Robot Company.

The SpringHill Company signs a four-year deal with Universal Pictures. LeBron James and business partner Maverick Carter built Uninterrupted.

“he’s a risk-taker, he takes risks on everything. He’s just willing to go for something. You have to be otherwise, what are we doing here?”

— Maverick Cater

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3. Kyrie Irving- Brooklyn Nets Guard, The PlayersTV

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has joined an alliance with star NFL and NBA athletes to launch a video content platform PlayersTV. PlayersTV is an athlete lifestyle TV network, where athletes work collaboratively to create, produce, and distribute content to millions of their fans globally. Irving serves as the companies creative visionary officer, responsible for the content strategy and distribution of marketing material. Given the unique climate of our world, players like Irving and McCullom aim to create platforms that will amplify their voices in hopes of providing sustainable impact. Irving produces a one-hour TV special titled #SAYHERNAME calling for justice in the Breonna Taylor Case. Athletes are entrepreneurs by design and are changing the culture of business. It will be intriguing the see how things unfold for Irving, Durant, and James with the expansions of their ventures or the next hand-full of professional athletes.  

“PlayersTV is a video-content network and I serve as the Creative Visionary Officer. So I’m responsible for the content strategy, along with the branding aspect. ”

— Kyrie Irving

Written: @TGQ.Inc

Produced by: @TGQ.Inc

Thanks to: @thirtyfiveventures, @playersTV, @uninterrupted,