Draymond Green’s take on LeBron James as greater than Michael Jordan sharpens the GOAT debate by praising James’ ability to win with a limited supporting cast, citing Matthew Dellavedova as an example. The discussion contrasts James’ string of Finals runs against Jordan’s era, framed by the Warriors’ peak from 2015–2018.

Counterpoints highlight the quality of James’ supporting casts across Cleveland, Miami, and L.A.—Wade, Bosh, Irving, Love, Davis—versus Jordan’s surrounding cohort. The piece also notes Luka Dončić as a modern factor in the debate, underscoring how era and roster depth shape the GOAT conversation. The argument remains nuanced and data-rich, not settled.

Finland punched a EuroBasket Final Four bid behind Lauri Markkanen, who dropped 17 points on 7-of-12 and buried 5-of-7 from long range while grabbing six boards. A standout assist to Miikka Muurinen and Elias Valtonen’s timely shot-making sealed a 93-79 win over Georgia.

Germany awaits in a tougher test, with a medal within reach for the Finns. For fantasy fans, Markkanen’s international volume and shooting rhythm suggest continued relevance beyond the NBA season, especially in tournaments that favor floor spacing and high-usage stars.

Dončić taxed Germany for 39, but Wagner and Schröder closed the door in a dramatic EuroBasket quarterfinal. Germany surged with a 12-0 run in the fourth as Obst’s late dagger and Schröder’s clutch strike sealed a semifinal clash with Finland. Da Silva’s half-court 3 kept Slovenia within distance, yet foul trouble and limited deep shooting cost them the edge. Finland’s win over Georgia added depth to the Final Four, with Jantunen and Markkanen supplying balanced offense off the bench.

Fantasy angle: Doncic dominates usage, but Germany’s balanced attack and late-game shotmaking tilt the upside toward multi-portfolio lineups. Expect 1-2 primary options from Slovenia to carry nightly, while German contributors like Wagner and Schröder offer safer mid-range floors in big-show formats.

Luka Doncic dominated EuroBasket numbers with 39 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in the quarterfinals, but Germany surged late to pull off a 99-91 win. Slovenia opened with a 32-21 edge, stayed within reach at 74-70 through three frames, then the fourth-quarter avalanche by Germany sealed the upset. The Lakers’ looming camp and Doncic’s notable conditioning boost set the stage for a big NBA splash this season while Markkanen’s Finland kept pace toward a semifinal spot.

Despite the heavy workload, Doncic flashed elite volume and playmaking, even as 11-for-25 from the floor and 5-of-16 from deep tempered efficiency. The turnaround hints at a more aggressive, durable version of Doncic for LA, with a higher early-season ceiling and fantasy upside as he enters training camp in prime condition.

Bottom line: Doncic’s improved conditioning is shaping expectations for a star-making Lakers run, while Markkanen’s hot form in Europe adds another multi-category threat to watch in fantasy and betting circles ahead of the NBA season. The EuroBasket results underscore a rising trend in conditioning translating to bigger year-one fantasy impact for Doncic and teammates.

Malik Beasley is at the center of an NBA-led gambling inquiry tied to the 2023-24 season when he played for Milwaukee. The league confirmed the investigation is ongoing, with Beasley cooperating as a federal probe also remains active in the Eastern District of New York. Beasley signed with Detroit in 2024 and posted a career-high 82 games for the Pistons last season, averaging 16.3 points per game. The case also links to a separate gambling conspiracy addressed through Jontay Porter, who pled guilty in August.

The situation matters for fantasy managers because Beasley’s status could influence his role in Detroit or future NBA rosters, affecting minutes and usage in a delicate roster picture. With Beasley’s prior stops—Denver, Minnesota, Utah, and the Lakers—the fantasy outlook hinges on how the league’s findings unfold and whether legal matters impact playing time or availability. The narrative also highlights the risk-reward in relying on a player under legal scrutiny.