“We are only one mistake at a young age from having it all taken away from us or losing everything we worked so hard to build. Or worst come to worst, being in between those yellow-taped lines,” Towns said. “We understand how precious and how important this moment is. For both of us to be Black men, me not only being Black but Afro Latino, we really understand that this moment is not supposed to happen for us. And we got to make the most of it to show the young generation that this is possible. It is possible to keep your morals and values, be a professional in all of this and not lose yourself. And to not follow the trends, but show the world what it is to be a good human being.”Los Angeles Lakers Face Masks

They also needed to address the fact that they were the lowest-scoring team in the league, averaging just 102.9 points per game. Despite all of these weaknesses the Hornets still managed to finish ninth in the East last season. Let’s now grade these picks."

Lowe: NBA's five most intriguing players, including Kevin Durant
Harden has pushed the Rockets to upgrade every offseason, saying he would want to be traded if they couldn't contend, sources said. And he had final say on things beyond just travel and practice schedules as well. He could call the shots on personnel moves, both on the roster and the coaching staff, a power he flexed to push for the firing of head coach Kevin McHale and departures of co-stars Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, sources said.

The possibility of any game taking place could first be affected by local or state restrictions, which have been evolving over the course of the pandemic. For example, California's Santa Clara County recently passed legislation banning contact sports because of COVID-19, forcing the San Francisco 49ers to temporarily relocate to Arizona. The NBA and teams are monitoring any possible restrictions that could affect play, including the possibility of quarantine periods in specific markets for those who have been traveling from out of state.

After Harden missed Houston's first team workout Sunday, Silas cited the NBA's COVID-19 protocols as the reason the Rockets' face of the franchise could not practice with the team. However, Harden did not show up for an anticipated individual workout Sunday evening.San Antonio Spurs Face Masks

Gobert, who is entering the final season of a four-year, $102 million contract, has been an All-NBA selection in three of the past four seasons and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year in 2017-18 and 2018-19. He has averaged 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game during the Jazz's streak of four consecutive seasons with postseason berths, having been a pillar of the franchise's transformation from a 25-win team his rookie year to a perennial playoff squad.

"Utah is home for me," said Gobert, who launched his Rudy's Kids Foundation in 2017 to assist underprivileged children in Salt Lake City, every other NBA city and his hometown of Saint-Quentin, France. "I see myself as a loyal person. I've had so many people tell me, 'Why don't you go to a bigger market?' I always tell people that winning a championship in Utah and creating our legacy in Utah would mean so much more.New Orleans Pelicans Face Masks

Speaking to reporters Monday for the first time during training camp, James said he and the Lakers will be judicious about his minutes to start the season, as the defending champions look to win another title.Orlando Magic Face Masks Face Masks