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Great stuff, Marc. Two thoughts:

1) I really hope the Bucks surprise people this year. I always pull for smaller-market teams and I'd love to see Giannis stay there for the rest of his career.

2) It's sobering to look at the rankings and think that I won't be surprised if many of the older stars in the league break down this year. We're already off to an ominous start with Leonard, George, and Embiid.

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Genuine question, why is it noteworthy that rival teams “lust” after one of the top two players in the game? Especially now, with the offseason in the rear view and the ball about to tip?

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My mistake mixing Kidd up with Sweeney. Will you at least admit you tossed an intentional (perhaps winking) lob to fuel some “Giannis to Dallas? 👀” conversation/speculation for your DLLS crew? You described Giannis asking “How can I get to the Mavs lockeroom?” to visit Kidd and his conversation with Luka as “the most notable thing that happened postgame.”

I swear I’m not imagining this stuff Mr. Stein! 😂

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Which is another way of saying NOTHING notable happened postgame.

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I understand. Would be disingenuous not to admit my response was partly fueled by Sham’s “report” on ESPN yesterday.

I also caught your “noteworthy” mention of Giannis in the Mavs locker room talking to his former coach Sean Sweeney last week. All just seems a bit much for mid October.

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I didn't see the ESPN report. As for me: I noted that Giannis was looking for how and where to go say hi to Kidd after last Thursday's exhibition game ... and then there was video from colleagues who saw him catching up with Luka.

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There are Giannis quotes to be found putting public preassure on the organization to remain title hungry every summer for the the last six or seven years. There’s a fine line between rival teams “planning” and “destabilising”, but destabilising always seems to be part of their plan. The idea of Giannis leaving is nothing new, it’s the timing of “Giannis watch” reports that continue to puzzle me.

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It is also the season preview edition of the rankings ... which generally takes a snapshot of the team's season to come. Giannis' temperature on things is an element of that snapshot.

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To me it is noteworthy because they are not just lusting ... it's because there is a belief that he will emerge as gettable ... undoubtedly fueled by the quotes Giannis just gave to The Athletic. Fully appreciate that, because it's your team and your guy, this might not be fun to read. But even if they are wrong, when teams are planning for something, I think it is noteworthy.

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