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Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
2hJeremias Engelmann

Most underrated NBA teams this season

Which teams will surprise us the most this season? Jeremias Engelmann projects the five teams that might be better than people expect.

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Embiid throws down monster dunk (0:17)
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LeBron's epic block as heard in Iceland (0:36)
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Jabari Parker eats rim after dunk (0:18)
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Wade feeds Butler for alley-oop (0:20)
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The Cavs' dynamic duo is no more (1:10)
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Lin airmails a wide-open layup (0:21)
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Knicks rookie Hernangomez throws down authoritative putback slam (0:20)
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Familiar faces making their mark in new places (1:07)
David Dow/Getty Images
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Report: Sides optimistic for new NBA labor deal

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have expressed optimism over reaching a new labor deal in the coming weeks before a key December date, according to The Vertical.

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Did Westbrook find a new dancing partner in Oladipo? (0:51)
Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
3dNick Friedell

Bulls bet on vets Wade and Rondo to help Butler succeed

Instead of handing Jimmy Butler a roster of draft picks, the Bulls brought in All-Star experience in Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo to help Butler change the culture in Chicago.

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MJ stuns sports world with retirement (0:45)
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Wade's comments on Jordan and LeBron go deeper than words (1:40)
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LeBron is cool with Schumer using his locker (0:51)

Now

Arash Markazi ESPN Senior Writer 

Tower Records (or at least the original sign) lives on at Sacramento's new Golden 1 Center.

Arash Markazi ESPN Senior Writer 

Before the Sacramento Kings play a game at the Golden 1 Center, the arena will host WWE No Mercy tonight.

Ethan Sherwood Strauss ESPN Staff Writer 

Iguodala on JaVale's slogan. "He has this funny line. 'You can be smart and act dumb but you can't be dumb and act smart.' I like that one a lot actually."

Ethan Sherwood Strauss ESPN Staff Writer 

Iguodala on JaVale's value: "Talk to some different people, GMs, front office people. He's so much better than a lot of these guys who got paid this past year. Like, so much better."

Ethan Sherwood Strauss ESPN Staff Writer 

Iguodala on JaVale: "He's so much better than some of the guys who got paid this summer"

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

I mistakenly asked Joakim Noah today if he'd felt "some tightness" in his hamstring, which has sidelined him for two games. "I play through tightness, man," he said, without a smile on his face. Noah is expected to play for the first time as a Knick on Saturday vs, Boston.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Jeff Hornacek said the Knicks haven't given Derrick Rose any specific instructions about staying in shape while he's in Los Angeles attending his civil trial. Rose, who is facing civil allegations that he and 2 friends raped a woman, said that he'd be doing 'penitentiary' workouts in his room. He said they consist of pushups and situps.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Jeff Hornacek said Joakim Noah (hamstring) participated in some of the live portions of practice today. Noah has missed the Knicks' first two preseason games and is expected to miss Monday's game. But he's expected to make his Knicks' debut on Saturday against Boston.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Jeff Hornacek said the frequency with which NYK uses the triangle this year could change "game-to-game." "It's great that we keep working on it because if we get to a point where our early offense isn't very good some nights, we can slow it down and run that," he said. "Or vice versa, if our early offense is killing a team, we don't necessarily have to go to it."

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Jeff Horancek said that Phil Jackson has allowed him to tweak the offense as he sees fit. "Quite honestly, we thought he would say, 'Let's not do that.' Or, 'Let's not do that option.' But he hasn't said that at all." Hornacek is using 'aspects' of the triangle while speeding the Knicks' offense up.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Jeff Hornacek was asked on Sunday about Phil Jackson's involvement. "Phil's been great. He's not trying to take over and make us do anything. He's given us the leeway." Hornacek said Jackson has been helpful with the triangle offense but has been "hands off" otherwise.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Kristaps Porzingis' shoe deal with adidas is between $3 million-$6 million, ESPN sources confirmed. Porzingis has agreed to the deal with adidas, but Nike, his previous endorser, has the opportunity to match. The value of the deal is believed to be the largest ever for a European NBA player, including NBA champ Dirk Nowitzki. The deal and its value was earlier reported by The Vertical.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Jeff Hornacek said Phil Jackson has been "helpful" with teaching the triangle and has allowed him the leeway to make changes in the offense. He seems happy with Jackson's level of involvement. We'll have a full story with Hornacek's thoughts on the site shortly.

Jason Sobel ESPN Senior Writer 

As if Tiger Woods' return to competitive golf needed any additional attention, he'll get it this Wednesday, as it was announced that Woods will be paired with avid golfer Steph Curry in the Safeway Open pro-am.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Joakim Noah (hamstring) probably won't play Monday but expects to make his Knicks' debut in their next game Saturday.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

A look at some post-practice activity at the Knicks' workout Sunday at Madison Square Garden:

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Calvin Watkins ESPN Staff Writer 

Rockets observations from third preseason game, a 123-117 victory over the Pelicans. Can James Harden lead the league in scoring and assists? Only one man, Tiny Archibald, has done it. Harden led the Rockets with 26 points and 15 assists. He continues to show amazing vision in the half court in finding open shooters. It might not matter who starts at center. Clint Capela and Nene are both playing well. Capela had 12 points and seven rebounds and Nene added 11 points and five boards. Reserve forward Corey Brewer had his best game of preseason. He was plus-14 in the box score.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Phil Jackson and Jeff Hornacek huddling after the Knicks' Sunday practice at Madison Square Garden.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

Joakim Noah participated in a full practice today. He missed the Knicks' first two preseason games with a hamstring injury.

Justin Verrier ESPN Staff Writer 

The Rockets, who brought most of the starters in late, edge out the Pelicans 123-117 in their first of two matchups in China. Omer Asik had two double-doubles all of last season but finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks, which would be a huge boost to a Pelicans team that sorely needs his defense (28th last season) but struggled to get him on the court last season because of injuries and ineffectiveness. E'Twaun Moore - whose regular-season career high in points is 24 - had 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting (4-for-4 from 3).