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After the Oklahoma City Thunder captured their first NBA championship, Scottie Pippen did what only a six-time champion could do. He congratulated the new kings of the league with a casual, confident flex that sent the internet buzzing.
On Instagram, Pippen posted an AI-generated image of himself seated in front of a laptop, wearing his iconic Chicago Bulls jersey and flashing all six of his championship rings. The caption, though light-hearted, delivered a perfect mix of humor and legacy.
“I just watched an NBA Finals Game 7. Never been in one myself, though. Replying to the comments like ‘Y’all be blessed’
Congrats to the Thunder on the win.”
It was vintage Pippen. Cool, composed, and quietly reminding everyone that his Bulls never needed a Game 7 in the Finals. The post celebrated the Thunder’s hard-fought title but also served as a subtle nod to a dominant era that never let things get that close.
But buried in that post was something deeper. A connection that fans and analysts have been talking about all season. The Thunder’s dynamic duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams has drawn comparisons to the legendary pairing of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. While it is far too early to place them in the same tier as that all-time great tandem, their chemistry, play style, and impact on both ends of the floor have sparked real conversations.
Pippen himself has taken notice. In a recent interview, he praised Jalen Williams for his versatility and poise. He said Williams reminded him of a younger version of himself and even suggested that in today’s NBA, Jalen might have the tools to go even further.
Williams delivered in the Finals, averaging over 23 points while playing efficient, high-IQ basketball. His Game 5 performance, where he poured in 40 points, was one of the standout moments of the series. On the other side, Gilgeous-Alexander capped off his MVP season with a Finals MVP trophy and a stat line that included 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5 rebounds during the regular season. Together, they combined for over 100 points in one Finals game, a feat not seen in more than five decades.
While no duo will ever replicate what Jordan and Pippen did in the 90s, there are flashes of that same harmony in OKC. One guard leads with pure scoring brilliance, the other makes everything around him smoother, smarter, and tougher. The balance of star power and selflessness is familiar, and it has brought the Thunder to the top of the basketball world.
Pippen’s post did more than entertain. It gave fans a reason to look back and a reason to look ahead. He honored the present while standing firmly in his past. And with just one AI-generated image and a perfectly worded caption, he reminded everyone what greatness looks like, then and now.
More must-reads:
- Dylan Harper injures calf, leaves arena in walking boot
- Cooper Flagg responds to his critics amid early career struggles
- The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Ja Morant suspension could be beginning of the end of guard's Grizzlies run
Are the Memphis Grizzlies and star point guard Ja Morant headed toward a divorce? On Saturday, one day after the two-time All-Star sounded off on the Grizzlies coaching staff following a 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2), Memphis suspended Morant one game "for conduct detrimental to the team," according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. Ja Morant, Grizzlies union already strained weeks into 2025-26 season After building an 69-55 halftime lead over Los Angeles, Memphis (3-3) collapsed in the second half. Morant, who finished with eight points on 3-of-14 shooting, only scored two points after halftime. Following the game, he failed to take accountability for his poor performance, instead pointing the finger at Grizzlies coaches, telling reporters, "Go ask the coaching staff." Less than 24 hours later, the Grizzlies levied their punishment. The tense exchange is the latest in what's becoming a potentially toxic situation. The Grizzlies have long stood by the mercurial talent despite Morant previously being suspended twice by the NBA for recklessly brandishing firearms. At a certain point, Morant won't be worth the headache. It could be tipping in that direction already. Through six games, Morant, a career 46.8 percent shooter, is at 40.6 percent. He's shot below 40 percent in four of his six games and is an unsightly 15.6 percent from three-point range while averaging a career-low 28.5 minutes per game. If the Grizzlies, under first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo, struggle to compete in the stacked Western Conference, it might be best to explore a Morant trade and gain assets for a rebuild. Perhaps the suspension will be a wake-up call for Morant, but it could just as easily fracture an already-fraught relationship.
Cowboys Announce Exciting Development on Saturday
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys are 3-4-1 with a Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on "Monday Night Football." They're looking to bounce back after losing to the Denver Broncos 44-24 last week. Prescott has been explosive through the first eight games. He has thrown for 2,069 yards, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 101.6 passer rating while completing 70.3% of his passes. The Cowboys have put together one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, ranking second in total yards per game (384.1) and second in points per game (30.8). The unit may soon be getting reinforcement, including from center Cooper Beebe. Beebe started the first two games of the season for the Cowboys. However, he hasn't played since suffering a lateral ankle sprain and foot injury in Week 2 against the New York Giants. On Saturday, though, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Beebe is on track to play against the Cardinals. "Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer says C Cooper Beebe is on track to play against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night," Harris reported. "Hasn’t played since week two when he suffered a lateral ankle sprain and foot injury." After being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he has become a consistent figure on Dallas' offensive line. As a rookie last season, he started 16 games, earning a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 65.4. Filling in for Beebe has been fourth-year veteran Brock Hoffman. He's recorded 415 snaps at center this year, committing two penalties and allowing one sack and ranking 29th out of 33 centers with a grade of 56.2. The Cowboys' offensive line has protected Prescott very well. They've allowed just 10 sacks, which is tied for the fourth-least in the NFL. Beebe's return could solidify one of the NFL's top offensive lines, giving Prescott more time and protection in the pocket. Kickoff between the Cowboys and Cardinals is 8:15 p.m. ET Monday at AT T Stadium, airing on ABC and ESPN.
Maple Leafs’ David Kampf Update After Comments to Marlies Players
Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf has reportedly left the team’s AHL affiliate, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered an update on the situation Monday morning. Speaking about the situation on the most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman shared that Kampf apparently made it clear to other Toronto Marlies players that he was done. As per his report, the disgruntled Maple Leafs forward left his teammates with the impression that he intended to terminate his contract. Furthermore, Friedman noted that Kampf’s absence from the Leafs’ lineup is not performance-related; rather, it stems from salary and roster constraints that currently prevent the team from accommodating him. Friedman noted: “I don’t know exactly what was said or how it was communicated, but Kampf did leave players with the Marlies with the impression that he was going to terminate his contract… He’s not out of the Leafs lineup because he’s not good enough, it’s because they can’t fit his salary and roster spot in right now. We’ll see how this plays out over the next few days. I certainly understand his frustration, and I think he made it clear the status quo just wasn’t good enough for him.” Kampf is annoyed by his situation, and the Maple Leafs are working to trade him. Unfortunately, the Leafs can’t find a taker for his contract. It has left Kampf feeling like he has little choice but to take the next steps available to him, which could include exploring opportunities elsewhere on a lower AAV with another NHL club. He and his agent must believe that if his cap hit weren’t what it is, an NHL franchise would give him a look and a chance to prove he’s worth the investment. Friedman suggested that the fact all of this has gone public might actually work to Kampf’s advantage, allowing him to gauge his market and might not have to take a hugely reduced deal.
Brad Marchand Reportedly Refused Trade to Different Team Before Joining Panthers
** Author’s Note: We’re working to get verification and footage of the comments from Marchand. This report comes from multiple social accounts that claim they heard the remarks firsthand. According to a report by @j_vmess on social media, former Boston Bruins captain and now Florida Panthers veteran star Brad Marchand shared a surprising story during Pantherfest this weekend. Apparently, he confirmed that he was nearly traded at the NHL trade deadline to a different team. He refused that trade, which led him to joining the Florida Panthers. Revealing that the Bruins moved him to a different NHL club, Marchand said he told the team he would not accept a trade there and would refuse to report if dealt. Ultimately, the Bruins pivoted and traded Marchand to Florida. Marchand went on to win a Stanley Cup with the team and re-sign there this past offseason as a free agent. @flatcatsandrats added to the report, noting that according to Marchand, the deal came together just before the deadline closed. “I got traded to another team about an hour before the deadline,” Marchand is said to have told fans. “When they called me, I said no — I wasn’t going.” Marchand didn’t specify which team had acquired his rights; the assumption is that the Los Angeles Kings had expressed serious interest. Marchand has reportedly noted in previous interviews that he wasn’t interested in playing for the Kings or on the West Coast. So too, back in June, Elliotte Friedman wrote that the Kings thought they had a trade for Marchand completed. At the time of Friedman’s article, Marchand was weighing his free agency options, Friedman explained: “Florida is first up, obviously, with the advantage of already being a perfect fit and good state taxes. If he doesn’t stay, Toronto and Utah are expected to be among the serious pursuers. Utah has indicated it is not crazy about term, Toronto could prefer to stretch it out, but, watching him in the final, who wouldn’t want him? Los Angeles (who had a deal with Boston, only to find out Marchand wanted Florida), New Jersey, Washington, etc., etc., he can fit anywhere.” “This was the only team I was coming to,” suggested another person who cited Marchand’s comments this weekend. It was common knowledge that teams were interested in Marchand at the deadline, but knowing that a trade had been finalized and that Marchand was the one who squashed it is an added wrinkle.
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