The Athletic NBA Daily All Star Reserves Vibes Draft
Jan 26, 2026
They dissect a muted Warriors-Timberwolves clash and how local events affected both teams. They recap Toronto’s upset in OKC and why the Thunder’s offense stalled. They explore the Knicks’ new small-ball identity and rebounding resurgence in Philadelphia. Then they run a playful All-Star reserves vibe draft, arguing over breakout names, defensive picks, and fan-favorite selections.
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Game Postponement Reflects Community Trauma
- The Minneapolis game was postponed after a federal agent killed a local resident, disrupting routines and emotional readiness for players.
- Dave DuFour and Zena Keita emphasize community trauma affecting both teams' energy and performance.
Wins Can Be Hollow After Traumatic Events
- Both teams in Minneapolis showed low energy and sloppy play following the incident, with turnovers and lackadaisical effort.
- Esfandiar Baraheni and Zena Keita note the win felt hollow and not a typical morale booster.
Raptors' Road Trip Reveals Team Resilience
- The Raptors' road trip and clutch execution revealed their resilience despite injuries.
- Hosts credit Scotty Barnes' defensive impact and clutch shooting for securing a signature win over OKC.