New Season Awaits for National Basketball Association / November 19, 2020 by Hussein Abdullahi

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.

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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.

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

The Future of Sport Business | The Young CEO Experience / November 5, 2020 by Hussein Abdullahi

Overtime Partners with The Boardroom to present Young CEO Experience

Last week, our team was selected to attend The Young CEO Experience powered by Overtime, Degree, and The Boardroom. The Young CEO Experience was a free virtual conference targeted at young professionals and sport business leaders of our evolving industry. The event highlighted the importance of a forward-thinking approach and how some of the sports largest corporations find ways to be innovative during the global pandemic. Some of the event’s panelists included speakers like the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, US- Open Champion Naomi Osaka, Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant, and Head Coach Steve Nash. Here are some insights from the event that emerging entrepreneurs and sport business professionals can implement in their business practices.

Adam Silver

Since taking over as the NBA Commissioner back in 2014, Silver has displayed his unique leadership approach that contributes towards making the NBA one of the most progressive leagues in all of pro sports. One of the things that I found most intriguing about Silver was his journey. Before the start of his career with the NBA, Silver was working at a corporate law firm. It wasn’t until 1992 when Silver decided to leave the firm and work alongside his predecessor David Stern as his special assistant. From that point on, Silver was a sponge soaking up all the knowledge and experience as he could. He spoke on the importance of his decision-making process and how much your value system shapes the decisions that individuals make.

“It’s critically important that you state your values up and that you be completely transparent about those principles. ”

— Adam Silver

As it been an unpredictable year for professional sports, Silver heavily relied on his values to help him craft strategic plans for the NBA. Back in early March when the NBA came to a halt due to a player contracting the Coronavirus, It circulating across major sports media platforms but, also gave the American nation a wake-up call much needed. At the time when the global pandemic hit an all-time high, so did a world revolution highlighted with racial injustices and police brutality. With the deaths of George Floyd, and Jason Blake, Silver and the NBA decided to boycott games during the NBA playoffs. The positive that came out of the resume of the NBA is players elevated voices for justice, reform, and education on voting rights. With the help of Silver and the NBPA teams and player stood in unison to create change in professional sports.

Kevin Durant

At the ripe age of 32, Kevin Durant has crafted a storied career highlighting all his unprecedented successes that include a 2x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP, and a leagues MVP. Despite Durant’s on-court successes, he’s inherited a more business-savvy approach with the establishment of The Boardroom and Thirty-Five Ventures.

KD

Brooklyn Nets, Co-Founder Thirty-five Ventures

During the Blueprint Session featuring Overtime CEO Dan Porter, Durant shared his personal experiences that allowed him to venture out beyond his respective athletic career. Durant finds himself more of a student of the game, studying from the musicians, creators, artists, and architects that shifted the culture forward. Durant shared his wealth of knowledge and insights for a group of industry leaders and business professionals that aim to shake up the future of the sport business.

“I always feel like you have to establish yourself inside the sport first before you start to venture out.”

— Kevin Durant

Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka has broken multiple barriers for women in sport. This year the 23-year old phenom became the highest-earning female athlete in the world. In professional sports, there is a huge gender equity gap between males and females. But this is not the case for Osaka, according to The Boardroom Osaka generates approximately $34M in endorsements each year. Osaka has elevated her brand since winning her second U.S. Open title making her a global icon in Japan and the US. In 2019 Osaka signed an endorsement deal with Nike for $10M/year, The question is what does Osaka’s career look like in the next 5 years? It seems like she has hit the pinnacle of her career so it will be interesting to watch her career unfold in the future. During the blueprint session, Naomi shared her insight with Co-Founder of Thirty Five Ventures Rich Kleiman. Osaka spoke on the importance of having a global platform and advocating for social justice rights in America.

Steve Nash

Brooklyn Nets Head Coach Steve Nash joined the Young CEO Experience to educate business leaders and industry professionals while providing insight about transitioning between different career paths. In 2014 Nash decided to retire away from basketball after having an iconic career. The former 2x MVP returns to the NBA to serve as a head coach for the highly anticipated Brooklyn Nets. During his blueprint session featuring Overtime Co-Founder & President Zach Weiner, Nash shared his insights on post-career and what the allotted opportunity provided for his identity. Nash ended off with a personal message to future entrepreneurs, young professionals, and athletes looking to make their mark in the industry emphasizing the importance of commitment, patience, and sacrifice.

“You’re going to beat a bunch of people just by them falling off. But you have to have a plan and a belief that the long game will pay divedens. ”

— Steve Nash

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