The Mismatch Adam Silver’s Tough Week, Trae Young Claps Back, and What to Do With Jonathan Kuminga
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Sep 19, 2025 Dive into the intriguing saga surrounding Kawhi Leonard and Steve Ballmer's ties to Aspiration, while Adam Silver faces criticism for his comments on the Clippers. The hosts debate Jonathan Kuminga’s uncertain future with the Warriors. In an entertaining exchange, Patrick Beverley and Trae Young engage in a verbal tussle, adding spice to the league's drama. The conversation wraps up with rapid-fire insights about Michael Malone’s new gig at ESPN, the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony conundrum, and favorite films to binge-watch.
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Superstar Power Shapes Team Decisions
- Star players now hold outsized power and teams live in fear of upsetting them when contracts are huge.
- That dynamic forces roster and personnel decisions to prioritize star comfort over institutional consistency.
Mystery Of Kawhi's Midgame Disappearance
- Chris Vernon recounts covering a March 31, 2023 Clippers game where Kawhi started, scored 12 first-half points, then vanished with no explanation.
- The team provided no public reason and even teammates seemed unsure why he didn't return for the second half.
Reporting Exposes Broader Corporate Failures
- The Pablo Torre reporting on Kawhi, Ballmer, and Aspiration exposes wider organizational and investor failures beyond player behavior.
- That fallout creates layered pressure on Adam Silver because owners may sympathize with billionaire victims more than with alleged wrongdoing.